Infection?

[jessica_lizette]

We had to use disposables on ds (19 mos) for a couple of days recently and he ended up with a yeast rash on his bottom afterward. Now the end of his foreskin and the underside of his penis are red, and DH said it looked dry and flaky when he changed his last diaper. He seems uncomfortable when he pees also. This has been going on for about a day and a half. To me it seems like the yeast found a new home (he has had a couple of pretty messy diapers lately so it would make sense) but would yeast cause him pain or discomfort when he urinates? Or does it sound like it could be a UTI?

If it keeps up for more than another day I'll schedule an appt with our doc, but for now I'm continuing with our routine probiotics and cutting out breads and such and treating with colloidal silver since I'm not sure exactly what's living down there. We've never had to deal with anything like this and everything I'm finding tonight has bad hygiene advice for intact tots (retracting to clean, etc.) so I figured I'd ask here.

[Marnica]

whenever my DS's penis has been red on the tip, I have always put a dab of aquaphor on it and it always takes are of it...if you know it's yeast though, this may not be effective..

[tutucrazy]

Originally Posted by Marnica

whenever my DS's penis has been red on the tip, I have always put a dab of neosporin on it and it always takes are of it...if you know it's yeast though, this may not be effective..

Neosporin is NOT good for the genitals and if this is in fact a yeast infection antibiotic ointment is the OPPOSITE treatment and will make it worse.

OP:
Sounds like he could have some thrush if he already had some yeast on his bottom. Yeast often appears flaky as you described. Yes yeast can cause some discomfort during urintation. It can burn a little, just like when a woman gets a yeast infection. It can also cause some swelling. You can treat him with the same cream you used on his bottom for the yeast. Be aware that the cream may cause some secondary redness or irritation to the foreskin. In the past when my son had diaper yeast I just went ahead and used an oral diflucan prescribed by the doctor. I find that it knocks out the yeast better than any creams as it also can knock out any internal yeast that is living in the gut. Also continue to give him a probiotic supplement.

If you cloth diaper you will need to switch to disposables until the yeast is cleared up. Cloth diapers hold yeast in the material and it is very difficult to remove once it is in the diapers. You will need to strip all your cloth diapers with a vinegar rinse and hang them to dry in direct sunlight. This should kill the yeast in the diapers.

Keep in mind that maybe the sposies just caused a rash and not yeast. Use your judgement to determine whether this is really a yeast infection or just a little diaper rash. Sometimes yeast creams can dry out the skin and cause some flaking and redness.

Also read this very helpful thread that discusses normal separation and yeast:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

If you take him to the doctor ensure the the doctor does not manipulate his foreskin for ANY reason. If they want to do a culture they can do so by swabbing the tip, no retraction is necessary. If yeast is present it will be on the tip.

There is very little chance that he has a UTI. The foreskin generally protects bacteria from entering the urethra. If you breastfeed it is even more unlikely to be a UTI. UTI presents as very frequent urination and a fever. Here is some more info. Half way down it explains how the foreskin protects.

http://www.nocirc.org/statements/breastfeeding.php

[jessica_lizette]

Thanks for all the info tutucrazy. I cleared up the rash on his bottom with a wipes solution of water, tea tree oil, lavender and chamomile and lots of naked time. I'm pretty sure it was yeast because it was bumpy, and dry in some places, and we battled the yeast rash of all yeast rashes last summer and it looked the same. He also had dandruff for a while right before this rash, which is usually caused by fungus, and it cleared right up after I put a couple drops of TTO in his shampoo one night.

Ahhh fungus is so frustrating. I think I'll just bring him in to get a diflucan rx to help knock it out of his system.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Yeast can make it hurt to pee for sure. When I had yeast years ago when I went it would burn if it ran back to my vaginal area.

I hope he if better fast.

The topical ointment of choice for bacterial infection is called bacatracin and it is OTC unlike neo it is safe to use on the genitals. Neo can be ok for some but lots of people are sensitive to it and putting it on the genitals is not recommended.

[robertandenith]

Have him take some baby probiotics, also lots of vitamin c foods help with immune system, like lots of fresh orange juice (natural is preferred), grapes, strawberries. Have him eat lots of it.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by tutucrazy

Neosporin is NOT good for the genitals and if this is in fact a yeast infection antibiotic ointment is the OPPOSITE treatment and will make it worse.

OP:
Sounds like he could have some thrush if he already had some yeast on his bottom. Yeast often appears flaky as you described. Yes yeast can cause some discomfort during urintation. It can burn a little, just like when a woman gets a yeast infection. It can also cause some swelling. You can treat him with the same cream you used on his bottom for the yeast. Be aware that the cream may cause some secondary redness or irritation to the foreskin. In the past when my son had diaper yeast I just went ahead and used an oral diflucan prescribed by the doctor. I find that it knocks out the yeast better than any creams as it also can knock out any internal yeast that is living in the gut. Also continue to give him a probiotic supplement.

If you cloth diaper you will need to switch to disposables until the yeast is cleared up. Cloth diapers hold yeast in the material and it is very difficult to remove once it is in the diapers. You will need to strip all your cloth diapers with a vinegar rinse and hang them to dry in direct sunlight. This should kill the yeast in the diapers.

Keep in mind that maybe the sposies just caused a rash and not yeast. Use your judgement to determine whether this is really a yeast infection or just a little diaper rash. Sometimes yeast creams can dry out the skin and cause some flaking and redness.

Also read this very helpful thread that discusses normal separation and yeast:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

If you take him to the doctor ensure the the doctor does not manipulate his foreskin for ANY reason. If they want to do a culture they can do so by swabbing the tip, no retraction is necessary. If yeast is present it will be on the tip.

There is very little chance that he has a UTI. The foreskin generally protects bacteria from entering the urethra. If you breastfeed it is even more unlikely to be a UTI. UTI presents as very frequent urination and a fever. Here is some more info. Half way down it explains how the foreskin protects.

http://www.nocirc.org/statements/breastfeeding.php

tutu...I was having a brainf---t! I didn't mean neosporin! I meant aquaphor I think it's called??? or desitin I've used too. Have NOT used neosporin!!

[tutucrazy]

Originally Posted by Marnica

tutu...I was having a brainf---t! I didn't mean neosporin! I meant aquaphor I think it's called??? or desitin I've used too. Have NOT used neosporin!!

Aquaphor or an A & D ointment is okay for irritations.