5yo itching problem

[FluffiB]

My uncirc'ed 5yo has been itching his penis a lot. When he had his well-check, the ped said his "pee hole" is a little red, and it's very common for uncirc'ed boys. He said to just have him retract while in the bath and swish in the water to clean.

He doesn't take a bath or a shower daily, and I keep reminding him to take a toilet paper, retract, and blot after he pees (or at least shake it off while retracting), but he doesn't always do it.

He's always grabbing and scratching that it's a bit embarassing...

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[beru]

Originally Posted by FluffiB

He's always grabbing and scratching that it's a bit embarassing...

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Did your son tell you it itches? My son, who just turned 5, often grabs, adjusts his penis, etc. I gently remind him that is private and he should only do it when he is alone.

My son is intact also and I would not advise retracting and blotting with toilet tissue. "Leave it alone" is the best thing you can do. The glans and the inner foreskin are mucous membranes so it really shouldn't be rubbed at all. Over manipulation and over cleaning is what often causes problems in intact boys. Think of this analogy-you wouldn't give your 5 year old douches to clean out her vagina. So you don't need to "douche" under the foreskin.

Finally, it's possible the pee-hole is "normal" red, not "pathological" red even if it does appear bright.

[FluffiB]

Yes, he says it itches, and he scratches it.

[Fellow Traveler]

Have you considered or tested for possible yeast infection?

[FluffiB]

The ped would have seen something during an exam if it was yeast, right? I have been giving him aged garlic capsules in case it is yeast, but there's nothing there - just irritation and redness.

[Fellow Traveler]

I am not sure if it is always noticeable in that sense. Sometimes there I believe sometimes there is discharge, I've also heard blistering, but I figured red and itchy could also be possible. ETA: I vaguely recall someone saying there is a home test for yeast infection.

Are there other changes to your routine? Is he swimming, have you changed detergents or is he using different soaps, shampoos? Taking bubble baths? These are things that come to mind.

[eepster]

DS recently went through separation (I know this b/c he tried to stick a USB plug inside it,) and was grabbing himself a lot. It has eased off quite a bit now. I'm hoping he'll be completely past it by the time school starts.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Itching can be part of the seperation process. Slight redness at the tip is often normal as well. Here is a thread you may find helpful http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732 Some tips on how to help with healing if something is wrong and what to look for if you suspect something is wrong.

[FluffiB]

Thank you MCatLvrMom2A&X! They really need to make that thread a sticky - I would've seen it right away and read it.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It is in the Resources sticky with all the others now. Harder to find that way but at least it is up there.

[tutucrazy]

Yup, itching is totally normal part of the separation process. There is no need for him to retract and rinse if he doesn't want to. Just let him soak in the warm bath. Avoid letting him soak in any soapy water and don't apply any soaps to the genitals. Here is another good link:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

[MommytoB]

i'm also with another 5 yr old who can not keep his hands of his penis ! I thought I wasn't going to go through penis in public touching and throughout last week and this week. He has been tugging on his penis continously through his shorts!

[FluffiB]

Thank you, everyone for your responses!

The only thing I'm worried about is that even though he does "shake" after he pees, some still gets left behind underneath the foreskin, so I'm thinking that's causing the irritation with acidic urine. I don't think this tiny pool of pee goes anywhere.

If he pulls it back just to the point where he can see the pee hole and shakes or blots, he gets most of it off. And since starting this (not consistently, just every few days or so), he hasn't been itching as much.

I'm kind of at a loss here...

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by FluffiB

Thank you, everyone for your responses!

The only thing I'm worried about is that even though he does "shake" after he pees, some still gets left behind underneath the foreskin, so I'm thinking that's causing the irritation with acidic urine. I don't think this tiny pool of pee goes anywhere.

If he pulls it back just to the point where he can see the pee hole and shakes or blots, he gets most of it off. And since starting this (not consistently, just every few days or so), he hasn't been itching as much.

I'm kind of at a loss here...

I am not sure if that is what is causing the irritation or not but if it works for him then it's a good solution. I am an intact guy myself (in case you didn't know) and I do frequently retract just enough to expose the tip. It doesn't need to be done it's a personal preference thing. Another thng he could try in addition to shaking is at the same time give the foreskin a little pinch. That will also get the last few drops out (I also do that too from time to time if I feel it's necessary. )

ETA: I 'd be interested to find out why the urine would be irritating, is it too concentrated? Ect..

[tutucrazy]

Originally Posted by FluffiB

Thank you, everyone for your responses!

The only thing I'm worried about is that even though he does "shake" after he pees, some still gets left behind underneath the foreskin, so I'm thinking that's causing the irritation with acidic urine. I don't think this tiny pool of pee goes anywhere.

If he pulls it back just to the point where he can see the pee hole and shakes or blots, he gets most of it off. And since starting this (not consistently, just every few days or so), he hasn't been itching as much.

I'm kind of at a loss here...

That wouldn't cause irritation. My son balloons every time he pees. This is when the opening is still narrow so the urine passes under the entire foreskin creating a ballooning effect. This is another normal phase for intact boys. Clearly some urine gets left behind but it doesn't bother him. The itching your son is experiencing is from the separation and the shedding of the dead skin cells, not the urine. If anything the urine will help wash away some of the dead skin cells. I would not encourage him to do anything extra.