2yo uncirc DS has red, swollen penis

[JaneSmith1010]

DS is 2 1/2yo and I just noticed while he was on the potty, that his wee-wee is red and a bit swollen. I don't see any bug bites (and we are in arctic ND, so not really any problem with bugs) or scrapes. He hasn't hit it on anything or smashed it that I have known of. What else could cause this? When do I know to take him to the doc? I don't want them to retract him or give him cortisone unless he really, really needs it---but don't want to allow some nasty infection to spread (though he has a very healthy immune system). Don't see any smegma pearls under the foreskin. What do I do?!

[robertandenith]

if he still wears diapers probably some irritation from urine, it happens a lot with my girls too. I would give him baking soda baths and diaper free for a few hours, exactly the way I do it with my girls.

[JaneSmith1010]

he only wears diapers at night, but that would keep urine on him for 8 hours. I put some raw honey on it,as it has antibacterial properties. Most of the day he runs around without pants on. No fever or crying, though he doesn't like it when I touch it to examine. Baking soda bath...how much baking soda should I use?

[mysticmomma]

Does it hurt him?

[latinalonestar]

97% of the time this is normal separation. Every child's foreskin goes through a separation process during childhood and adolescents. Mild swelling, redness, itching, mild pain, ballooning, spraying, smegma pearls, uneven separation, etc. are all NORMAL phases in this process. This will resolve itself. It will also come and go throughout childhood. Please note that separation does not necessarily mean your son is retractable. Retraction happens after separation has occurred ant the opening has widened. These phases don't necessarily happen at the same time. Never try to retract, even if you feel like the foreskin has separated b/c the opening could still be very narrow. Please read our separation sticky.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=764732?

I would not take him to the doc unless you see MAJOR swelling, fever, considerable discharge (not smegma), extreme pain/discomfort. Bacterial infections are very rare.

If you see peeling or little bumps there could be yeast but this is probably not likely to be the case.

It is normal for a boy to have some stinging during urination while separation is occurring. This is b/c the glands are raw and have not developed a new skin layer. If this happens you can have him pee in a cup of water.

[robertandenith]

:

If you are concern, just try the baking soda. I do this everyday anyways, with my boy. It's soothing and good for him, we don't use any soaps (natural mama here ) just add some chamomile tea bags with it. My boy just experience some separation and it was just the same as your boy. Don't stress to much about it though, it's normal. In a couple of days it will be fine

eta: 1/2 cup is fine.

[JaneSmith1010]

well, today the swelling has gone almost completely down but the wee-wee is still red. So, should I take him in tomorrow to get swabbed for infection or just leave it a while longer?

[mysticmomma]

Does it hurt him? Is he complaining? I'd leave it unless it hurts. It is normal for the tip of the penis to be a bit redder/pinker than the rest of the foreskin.

[latinalonestar]

Originally Posted by jhow32000

well, today the swelling has gone almost completely down but the wee-wee is still red. So, should I take him in tomorrow to get swabbed for infection or just leave it a while longer?

No, infections don't get better they get increasingly worse and the penis swells VERY large. I doubt it is anything, you would KNOW if there were an infection. Remember that the foreskin is very vascular so it reacts to irritation and separation trauma.

If you see peeling or bumps it could be yeast but I doubt it. If it appears very red and the redness gets worse then I'd suspect yeast. If he is not in diapers and has not had any antibiotics lately it is very unlikely to be yeast.

Sometimes urine can cause a little redness too. For this you can apply a barrier cream or A & D ointment.

[robertandenith]

I should hold it off, I mean, it IS getting better. Sometimes my lips get red out of no where, it's normal. Just keep doing the baking soda and relax

[lauragarcia]

2.5 swollen penis

My son is 2.5 and his penis is very swollen and sensitive. He says it hurts, but he doesn't have a fever or feel bad. He has been running naked all day yet the swelling remains... is this an infection or natural separation? Im planning on taking him to the dr tomorrow... I called and the doc on call said it was balanitis and to use neosporin... any advice? The foreskin is quite swollen and I'm worried!

[robertandenith]

That sounds like a normal separation. ugh doctors don't let him scare you!!! If he doesn't have a fever or feel bad, then it's just the normal process of separation. Do the baking soda baths, neosporin is not good for genitals! You can throw a couple of chamomile tea bags too. If you take him MAKE SURE HE WON'T RETRACT OR MANIPULATE HIS FORESKIN IN ANY WAY, WARN HIM that he should NOT retract not even a gentle retraction. none.

eta. PLEASE PRINT THIS OUT http://www.asnatureintended.info/upl...74/babyboy.pdf it explains exactly what he is going through

[latinalonestar]

Originally Posted by lauragarcia

My son is 2.5 and his penis is very swollen and sensitive. He says it hurts, but he doesn't have a fever or feel bad. He has been running naked all day yet the swelling remains... is this an infection or natural separation? Im planning on taking him to the dr tomorrow... I called and the doc on call said it was balanitis and to use neosporin... any advice? The foreskin is quite swollen and I'm worried!

Probably just normal separation. Infections are rare. I'd give him baking soda bath and give it a couple days. If it gets progressively worse, very red, there is yucky discharge (other than normal smegma) then you should do a culture.

Never use an antibiotic ointment unless you have done a culture. A culture is done by swabbing the tip. NO RETRACTION!!! Any bacterial/yeast present will also be present on the tip. If you take him to the doctor for a culture tell the doctor that he/she is not to retract or manipulate the foreskin. Tell them BEFORE the diaper comes off. You need a culture b/c if there is a yeast infection the ointment will make it worse. Yeast infections are treated with an OTC antifungal or a prescription antifungal. Neosporin is not good for the genitals and if he had balanitis it would not treat it b/c it is not strong enough. You can use bacitracin to treat minor wounds to the foreskin but for true balanitis you would need something much stronger. Your doctor seems very unfamiliar with the treatment of the intact boy.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=764732?

http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...uncircson.html

[robertandenith]

any updates?

[JaneSmith1010]

ok, we have the redness and slight swelling again. No itchiness or pain though. Is this separation stuff supposed to happen repeatedly or could this be an infection coming and going?

[Fellow Traveler]

It could, you have to think about what is happening. When the foreskin pulls away it leaves a new surface that may be a bit raw which can lead to swelling. I would just drop him in a bath with some baking soda. If you are concerned though get a culture done.

[JaneSmith1010]

I just noticed right now that there is oozing of a milky white discharge. He is not very red, or swollen. I guess I'll have to suck it up and take him in on Monday. Is this for sure an infection and do all infections need to be treated? The immune system cannot just take care of it? He has no fever, no itching, no pain, very little swelling, very little redness, but now the discharge. What to do? I've been doing the baking soda baths.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by jhow32000

I just noticed right now that there is oozing of a milky white discharge. He is not very red, or swollen. I guess I'll have to suck it up and take him in on Monday. Is this for sure an infection and do all infections need to be treated? The immune system cannot just take care of it? He has no fever, no itching, no pain, very little swelling, very little redness, but now the discharge. What to do? I've been doing the baking soda baths.

It doesn't sound like it to me. The white stuff is probably smegma that has made its way out after some parts of the foreskin separated. If it was from an infection, it would smell nauseating, like something rotting . If he has no fever, pain, or problems urinating I wouldn't worry. We actually have a thread about all of this which hasn't been stickied I'll try and see if I can find it for you.

ETA: I want to add that you have to make a judgment call but this is my opinion based on your description. If you do take him in just have them do a culture, and no retraction.

ETAA: Thread bumped.

[JaneSmith1010]

jwhispers, thanks. Can smegma really be that gooey? I've never seen any that is such a consistency..then again I am not an expert! He did have a smegma pearl a while back...don't know where that smegma went but the pearl disappeared. I am keeping an eye on it but it doesn not seem to be doing badly. There is no more discharge and it is still red. I think I'll try to call for a phone consult with his NP tomorrow...she is great but out of state. I am feeling frazzled about this as we've never even had an ear infection and I really don't want antibiotics if they are not necessary!

[JaneSmith1010]

my bad. just read the rest of the sticky in the smegma section. I would guess you are right jwhispers. The discharge did not smell at all, and was likely smegma. Thanks so much!