Smegma: What parents can't discuss with kids but should

No matter how much parents try to talk to their children about serious stuff in a not-so-awkward way, children will always find it weird or awkward.

Topics like sexual health or sexual hygiene can be challenging for parents to discuss or even for children. However, parents must be the ones to initiate conversations about hygiene.

Avoiding the topic all together may only cause serious problems in the future.

One of the things that parents should not skip talking about with their kids is smegma. Poor hygiene can cause smegma to build up in the genitals.

What is smegma?

According to Medical News Today, smegma is something that naturally occurs on the male and female genitals. This substance is caused by the build-up of skin cells, oil, and moisture.

Specifically, smegma accumulates under the foreskin of uncircumcised boys or on the folds of the labia of girls.

Boys who are not circumcised accumulate smegma because the lubricant that the body produces for the foreskin to retract builds up under. Along with these are bacteria, dirt, other natural oils, and dead skin.

Smegma can cause the genitals to become smelly if untreated. As Myheart.net puts it, untreated smegma is like a breeding ground of the worst-smelling bacteria. The build-up may also lead to an infection.

That is why parents must teach their children proper hygiene.

How to treat smegma among boys?

The easiest way to get rid of smegma is by making sure that hygiene is proper. For the boys, the best way is to clean the genitals, including around and under the foreskin.

Parents could start talking about this with their sons by teaching them how to clean their genitals first. If your son is too young to do it himself, then you ought to do it for him.

Experts say that removing the smegma should not be forced because this may tear the skin and lead to infection. The use of mild soap is advised with warm water. Applying oil before cleaning the male genital can also be helpful.

The key here is to do it consistently, every day until the smegma disappears.

How to treat smegma among girls?

As surprising as it may sound to some, smegma may also occur in girls. This condition may cause vaginal odor.

It is also proper hygiene that can treat smegma in girls. Just like boys, girls should thoroughly clean their genitals by using soap and warm water.

Another way to help girls avoid having smegma is by wearing underwear made of breathable materials.

Also, talking to girls about the changes that they notice in their genitals can also be helpful. When there is pain, burning sensation, or itching in the genitals, parents should let their daughters see a doctor.

Topics like these may be difficult for parents to address or even start talking about sometimes. Yet, they should discuss this at a time when they feel it is already necessary.