Smegma is the secret of the glands of the foreskin in men and boys, which accumulates under the head and on the grooves of the penis. It consists of fats and a specific non-pathogenic flora - mycobacteria.
Smegma in boys is a problem for many parents who do not know about proper care of the genitals. Its stagnation can lead to the occurrence of infectious diseases, especially in the presence of phimosis.
What is phimosis?
In a newborn child, the inner leaf of the foreskin is tightly attached to the head, it is as if glued to it. This is considered the norm and does not require any action on the part of the parents. The boy grows, the penis develops with the whole body. Around the second or third year of the boy’s life, a gradual independent separation of the foreskin from the glans penis occurs.
It is smegma in boys that helps this process take place painlessly, since it is a fat-like substance that moisturizes the foreskin. There is a light, effortless
exposure of the glans penis. Thus, smegma in boys is absolutely normal, as in adult, healthy men.
Often, parents caring for a child begin to forcefully move the foreskin. These actions are unacceptable and can lead to serious injuries and inflammation. Smegma in boys is not a reason for unreasonable manipulations of the genital organ. The process of separation of the foreskin should occur naturally.
Smegma in men
It must be borne in mind that this is a normal phenomenon, which intensifies during a period of high sexual activity (aged 18-26 years). The formation of smegma in men in old age is reduced and practically ceases in senile. If personal hygiene is violated, it stagnates.
What happens then?
Microflora begins to multiply actively, this is facilitated by fat-like substances of the lubricant. There is a danger of the appearance of diseases such as balanitis, balanoposthitis and even precancerous diseases (papillomas of the penis, etc.) and of penile cancer itself . It must be understood that in addition to the fat-like substance, dead cells of the epithelium of the head and foreskin accumulate in smegma. All this, together with the components of urine, is an excellent medium for the propagation of pathogenic microflora.
How is smegma formed?
Treatment of smegma alone is not required - it is a natural physiological fluid necessary for the normal functioning of the male genital organ. When the discharge is fresh, not stagnant, their color has a white tint and they are usually evenly distributed on the head of the penis. Smegma reduces its friction against the foreskin. In normal condition, it has a spicy aroma. Dangerous stagnation smegma, especially with its excessive allocation.
Avoiding this is easy enough. All substances that serve as lubricants, including smegma, must be removed daily during hygiene procedures. Thorough cleansing of the penis is the key to health. When a man does not do this, the accumulated smegma begins to irritate the foreskin, itching, redness appears. Irritation contributes to the appearance of neoplasms, more often in places of friction. Any man should understand the importance of hygiene procedures for his health and well-being. Daily washing of the genitals is the norm. If it’s enough for boys to do this without moving the skin near the head (due to physiological phimosis), then an adult sexually mature man (whose smegmosis process is at its peak), this procedure should be carried out in a thorough manner.
It must be understood that the formation of smegma is not dangerous and vital. You just need to clearly understand the rules of personal hygiene, starting from a very young age.