Keeping the foreskin pulled back - more hygienic?
Posted , 2 users are following.
I have been actually diagnosed 1 week ago with yeast infection which caused me also to have balanitis because I realised that I had the former a bit late.
I have been prescribed an antifungal cream which I apply 3-4 times a day daily.
I do this by gently pulling the foreskin back, applying the cream on the glans and foreskin and then after 5 minutes I push the foreskin back.
I am wondering if it would help to keep the foreskin pulled back as much as possible (eg throughout the day or while I sleep) instead of pushing it back at its place?
I am thinking of this since as far as I know one of the major reasons of yeast infection and balanitis is exactly that the area under the foreskin does not breath much air which allows bacteria to grow and this I suppose why it is much more likely for uncircumcised than circumcised penises to have an infection like that.
0 likes, 2 replies
grand_poete
Posted
Just a correction to what I said above:
**I am wondering if it would help to keep the foreskin pulled back as long as possible (eg throughout the day or while I sleep) instead of pushing it back at its place 5 mins after I apply the cream?
**
Wee_Dugie grand_poete
Posted
Okay, I know precisely what you are getting at, yes allowing air to to the surface of the head of your penis would seem to suggest this would be more healthy.
I had a period of years where I did practice this during the day. So, what I did was to draw the loose skin of the shaft of the penis towards the base of the penis so that the entire head of the penis was exposed. When I let go the foreskin would partly cover the head of the penis, but, this would enable the majority of the head of the penis to be exposed. Even at work, walking around the foreskin would remain retracted - this was quite an unusual feeling as the head of the penis that had never been exposed before and was in contact with underwear much if the time.
The only way to see what impact this would have for you would be to try it, and as you say, this is one of the advantages of being circumcised - not that I would suggest that you go as far as getting circumcised.
And yes, I frequently sleep with my entire foreskin retracted and head of penis fully exposed.
However, the essentials you have are: preventing further bacterial or fungal infections occurring, using the treatment you have as directed - most stop using the antifungal too early, or become reinfected due to further sexual activity.
Once infection has been fully dealt with it is then a case of having a good level of penile hygiene and this means regularly washing, or if you are unable to wash, such as when you are away from home, use tissue paper to remove any traces of urine from around the tip of the penis. The second part of penile hygiene after washing is to ensure the skin is completely dry, the best habit to get into when you are at home is to use clean dry towels that ONLY you use .......