User • 2026. 02. 27.
On the day of my circumcision, I couldn’t sleep because of the pain. After a few hours, the pain gradually turned into itchiness, and by the morning, the pain was mostly gone and now it just feels itchy.
The itching is quite intense—is this normal? I couldn’t sleep at all.
Also, from time to time, I feel a brief moment of pain, and then it goes back to itching again.
Ryu Kyung-ho
Goldman UrologyDirector, Goldman Urology Gangnam
Hello, this is Dr. Kyungho Ryu from Goldman Urology Clinic, Gangnam.
The change from pain to itching after surgery can be a normal part of the healing process. As the anesthesia wears off, you may initially feel stronger pain, but over time, as sensation returns and the body begins its inflammatory healing response, itching can occur.
However, if the itching feels more intense than the pain, it may also be caused by skin irritation or an allergic reaction to the gauze or adhesive dressing covering the surgical site. Itching can also occur as new tissue forms during wound healing, but in the early post-operative period, it is important to check the condition of the dressing and whether there is excessive pressure from the bandage.
Intermittent, brief pain may be due to swelling or minor stimulation of the surgical area, so monitoring your symptoms is recommended. It is important to avoid scratching or touching the area despite the itching, as this may increase the risk of infection.
If the symptoms are difficult to manage and interfere with daily life, you may take the prescribed medication or revisit the clinic where the surgery was performed for further evaluation.
At our clinic, we carefully assess each patient’s symptoms and overall health condition based on extensive clinical experience, providing accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.
Identifying the exact cause is the first step toward effective treatment.
If your symptoms persist, we recommend visiting a urology clinic for further evaluation.
Thank you, and we hope this information was helpful.
* This answer is based on medical documents and cannot replace an actual diagnosis.