A mother reports yellow crust over the circumcision site. What should you tell her?

• A. To bring the infant to the pediatrician's office to be checked
• B. That the crust is to be expected as a normal part of healing
• C. To remove the crust, using a warm, wet face cloth and a mild soap
• D. That it could indicate a sign of an infection and that the infant's temperature should be checked every 2 hours

Answer: (B)

A yellow crust over the circumcision site is a normal part of healing. After a circumcision, the area often forms a protective crust as the skin closes and heals, and this crust can be yellow or brown in color. It’s best to leave the crust alone and let it fall off on its own. You can gently rinse the area with warm water if needed and pat dry—avoid scrubbing or trying to peel the crust away, as this can irritate or reopen the wound. If you notice signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, foul discharge, a fever, or the infant seems unusually fussy or not feeding well, contact a pediatrician promptly. Otherwise, no routine office visit is needed just for the crust.