Son's foreskin is itchy, no redness, doesn't retract yet...

[StarMama]

I've got no clue what's bugging him. He's just itchy. All the time. Some anti itch cream will help for awhile, but I don't want him to have a problem I don't know about while I'm just covering symptoms.

He can't retract yet, enough to see just the head of his penis (which is fine as well), everything looks totally normal. No cracking, no sores, no nothing. Just itchiness right at the end of his outer foreskin.

I loathe taking him to the doctor about this, as I fear that they would want to retract him to look, and I've had bad experiences with kaiser just doing what they want regardless of what *I* might ask/demand/ect.

I hope this was the right forum to post in...

[Night_Nurse]

How old is your son? Is he in diapers?
What kind of anti-itch med did you use? Have you used any specific anti-yeast/anti-fungal creams?

[thixle]

Probably yeast. If you don't want a doctor's visit, there are OTC yeast test kits at most pharmacies (Walgreens has them). I have not used one, but it's worth a shot if you want a definate answer. Many docs and nurses will tell you boys don't get yeast infections : so it's often not even worth the visit anyway.

Or, you can just give him a full 7 day treatment of Monistat cream (or the drug store equivilant). Just blob some on the tip, it will work its way in on it's own. (I think the recommendation is 2-4 times a day, been a while since we have used it). Symptoms should lessen or disappear by day 4, but you have to do the entire 7 days- very important to kill all the yeasties
Monistat is benign, and you can't do any damage by using it.

[Mama Poot]

Do you bleach his diapers/undies? (i don't know how old he is, so thats why I ask both ) I was bleaching all of our whites for a while, and noticed my boys starting to break out in a rash on their bottoms. I stopped bleaching their undies and the rash went away. Make sure you're using a gentle detergent, and he's not using bubble bath or harsh, smelly soaps.

[Mama Poot]

Originally Posted by thixle

Probably yeast. If you don't want a doctor's visit, there are OTC yeast test kits at most pharmacies (Walgreens has them). I have not used one, but it's worth a shot if you want a definate answer. Many docs and nurses will tell you boys don't get yeast infections : so it's often not even worth the visit anyway.

.

drop: Are you serious???? DH and I passed a yeast infection back and forth for a month before we figured out what the problem was!!!! Boys don't get yeast infections my foot! :

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Yep I have read I dont know how many stories here where dr's have told parents that their dh or ds cannot have yeast :

I guess they have never seen the OTC jock itch medication in the store for men. :

[thixle]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

drop: Are you serious???? DH and I passed a yeast infection back and forth for a month before we figured out what the problem was!!!! Boys don't get yeast infections my foot! :

nak
oh yeah, i'm serious : was told by a couple of docs and nurses when I was pregnant with dd1 & had my first YI. i thought he had to take the diflucan pill (prescription), so I called the ob/gyn office finally, the nurse at the health department set them straght and that's how I learned monistat cream works on guys too...
(besides, what the heck do they think "jock itch" is anyway???)

[StarMama]

He's 5, not in diapers or anything, I don't bleach our clothes... I guess the monistat wouldn't hurt anything to try, he used to get yeastie beasties when he was an infant from the thrush I got a few times and monistat cleared that up then, I just can't *see* anything this time around and when he was little it was red.

I forget the cream I was using... its around here somewhere!