Advice for adhesions

[bananaplum]

Our 17 mo old ds was circ'd and it's the worst decision I've ever made. I've wished I could take it back from the moment it was done. It is an ever-present guilt. I failed to protect him and I regret it more than anything I've ever done. So much sorrow about this.
I am wanting to do the right thing for him from this point on.
He's had adhesions since about 6 mo old that are creeping closer to the end of the penis with time. On the underside, they are now almost to the meatus. I am gently pulling the loose skin back and using warm water on a washcloth to clean it nightly during bath, and applying vaseline at night, pretty much leaving it alone otherwise.
The meatus became reddened, and the Dr told me to put antibiotic ointment on it for a couple of nights. That did help, but now the redness is back.
The Dr said just continue like I am, and see how it functions when he's older. Does this sound like the right way to minimize further damage to his penis? I have read that maybe it will retract on it's own after puberty if the scarring is mild. I do think there is tough scar tissue there.
Any advice on daily and future care?
Has anyone else's child experienced this problem and how did they deal with it?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Sounds like you are doing ok with things other than using the wash cloth I wouldnt do that since it is just one more thing rubbing the skin and causing more friction which leads to even more loss of sensation.

Be very careful not to tear loose any skin. Doing this causes even more scaring which means even more loss of sensation. As long as he can urinate normally dont worry about the reattachment. Most of the time it will release as it would have had he never been circed. That can happen at any time between now and when he is an adult.

For the red tip that could be something as simple as diaper rash and for that a good barrier cream is all that is needed. If you feel it might be trying to become infected then apply otc bacatracin never use neosporine on the genitals.

[bananaplum]

thanks

Thank you for the info. I appreciate it. I was wondering if I should just leave his penis alone instead of cleaning it and applying vaseline? What did happen when I did nothing to it for two days (no cleaning, no retraction in the bath, no vaseline at bedtime) was that it became inflamed-looking and there was a thin layer of white.
Since the adhesions started, I have gotten different care advice from each Dr/nurse, and then I read about how if the adhesion is broken, it forms tough scar that may never retract on its own, etc.
I want to cause him as little further damage as possible.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

You can still use the vasaline if you wish it wont hurt and moving bits of the foreskin around that are not attached wont hurt if you are careful not to force things. If you do a vigorous swish in the tub it will remove the smegma build up without rubbing. Even if the smegma isnt removed it wont hurt him since it is natural. If you start to see inflamation then put a little barrier cream on there and if it dosnt help use some otc bacatracin.

Yes the more trauma done by retracting and tearing the harder it will be for his body to recover so make sure your dr dosnt try to do it either. Treat the foreskin remnant the same as you would a whole foreskin and dont allow any healthcare worker to mess with it at all.

[bananaplum]

Thank you.

[DocsNemesis]

I also agree, using a washcloth probably isnt a good idea. I'd swish it around in the tub or, if needed, pick off anything obvious, but the rubbing from a washcloth can't be good.