EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SMEGMA

Smegma is simply a build-up of dead skin cells, oil, and other fluids. This pile-up leads to the formation of a white milky substance around the vagina or penis. It is caused by a lack of proper hygiene in the areas around the genitals. There is no cause for alarm because it can be fixed just at home as it is not a medical condition.

Unless you are a doctor, most of you have no idea how much your bodies do to clean themselves, which sometimes involves creating strange substances and scents. However, in some cases, these substances and scents could be severe. This can happen with Smegma. According to Kamat, Panse & Khanolkar (1960), smegma is a thick, white, cheesy substance that forms under the foreskin of the penis. It is common in uncircumcised men who don't clean that area precisely. Smegma can also affect women around their vaginal area. Smegma is not that common, so there is no cause for alarm. However, if not taken care of, smegma can grow and lead to swelling and pain around the head of the penis. Here's more about smegma.  

Identification of Smegma

Smegma is a build-up of dead skin cells, oils, and other fluids around the tip of the penis in men and the folds of the vulva in women. It is also likely to appear around the clitoral hood in women. Some of its characteristics are: 

• Thick, cheese-like substance around the genitalia.
• It is mostly white, but it can be darker depending on the skin tone. 
• Unpleasant smell from the genitalia.  

Causes of Smegma  

According to Hellberg et al. (1987), smegma is not a sexually transmitted infection or any other type of infection. Instead, it is a matter of personal hygiene. These oils and fluids in smegma are natural and are produced by the body. Their work is to lubricate your genitals and prevent the skin from dryness and itchiness. Their build-up is due to a lack of personal hygiene, especially in the genital area. That is why it is essential to clean your genital area regularly, with much attention paid to the penis and vagina to prevent the accumulation of these fluids. 

Occurrence of Smegma  

Chan & Wong (2016) stated that smegma is common in uncircumcised men since the complete foreskin provides a habitat to trap these fluids and bacteria. However, since most men are circumcised, smegma is more likely to affect women than men. One reason why it is important to get circumcised as a man.

Implications of Smegma  

Smegma is not deadly. However, a while back, it was thought that it might lead to penile or cervical cancer, but Van Howe & Hodges (2006) revealed that there is no relationship between smegma and cancer. Smegma seldom causes severe complications; and, if not taken care of, it can become quite hard to the point where the foreskin may stick to the penis. This will cause a lot of pain in the head of the penis.

 It is also important to know that accumulation and hardening of smegma can cause irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the penis. This will, in turn, lead to a condition called balanitis. In the case of women, smegma build-up and hardening can cause the clitoral hood to stick to the clitoral shaft. This will lead to discomfort and even pain around that area.

Treatment of Smegma

The best and simplest way to treat smegma is to practice high levels of genitals hygiene. You should properly wash your penis or vagina to prevent the accumulation of these fluids and oils. Here are a few instructions to aid in eliminating smegma accumulation.

• If uncircumcised, gently pull the foreskin back, and if female, spread apart your vaginal folds with the first two fingers.
• Use mild soap, preferably non-scented soaps, and warm water to wash beneath the foreskin or in and around the labia. Perfumed and scented soaps irritate, especially on sensitive skin; in this case, it is better to use warm water only.
• Rinse the vagina or penis carefully, then dry adequately with something clean.   
• In the case of men, pull back the foreskin over the tip of the penis. But be cautious not to irritate your penis by using sharp tools or objects like cotton swabs when cleaning the head of your penis.
• You can repeat this procedure daily to get rid of smegma.  

However, if the Smegma continues accumulating over time and you develop new symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention. The problem might be more severe than you think since the other diseases and infections may display the same symptoms as Smegma.

Prevention of Smegma

The only known way to prevent smegma is practicing genital hygiene. This will also apply as a method of treatment. Ensure that regardless of your gender, whether man or woman, you wash your genitalia at least twice a week. Of course, some people wash daily, and there is no need to worry since you are safe. Cleaning includes using mild soap and warm water to wash the areas around the penis or vagina. Consider proper rinsing to prevent irritation from the soap. During a shower, a quick wash will prevent the build-up of smegma, especially if your job leaves you sweating a lot or you do sweat-inducing activities like hitting the gym.   

Conclusion

Smegma is not a big deal, so there is no cause for alarm if you notice some of its signs. However, note that it shares signs with other infections. If you suspect it's a worse condition, make sure to see your doctor for further examinations. Prevention is better than cure, and at the end of the day, it is your health on the line. Take care of your body in all aspects and maintain high levels of hygiene this way, you won't be susceptible to infections and diseases. In any case, it is better safe than sorry.

References

Chan, H. Y. I., & Wong, K. K. (2016). Common urological problems in children: prepuce, phimosis, and buried penis. Hong Kong Medical Journal.

Hellberg, D., Valentin, J., Eklund, T., & Nilsson, S. (1987). Penile cancer: is there an epidemiological role for smoking and sexual behaviour?. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 295(6609), 1306-1308.

Kamat, V. B., Panse, T. B., & Khanolkar, V. R. (1960, July). Constituents of human smegma. In Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences-Section B (Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 1-8). Springer India.

Van Howe, R. S., & Hodges, F. M. (2006). The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 20(9), 1046-1054.