Happening again, is this normal?

[adamsfam07]

Okay let me start from about a month ago, I had posted here because my 8yr DS woke up and his penis was so swollen he could not urinate, I took him to the ER they said it was a fungal infection and to put this medicated cream on him. We saw our Dr 2 days later for follow up, he glances at him and says he needs a circ, made an appt. with urologist at the end of Sept. I continued to use the cream and it went away. Well, 2 days ago he says it's starting to swell up again, we caught it early and started using the cream again, or so I thought. Today he is in excruciating pain whenever he has to urinate, he's screaming and crying the whole time and I don't know what to do for him. I pour warm water on him while he's going and that seems to help a little bit. It is a little swollen, but not nearly as big as last time. What is going on? I'm terrified now that he really does need a circ. or this will continue to be a problem for him. We did talk about how he is suppose to be keeping himself clean when he bathes and he admits he doesn't always. Is this somewhat normal? What can I do for him? I'm at work right now and trying to get coverage so I can go home, maybe take him to the ER again? Any info you mommas have for me would be greatly appreciated. I'm so upset for him.

[tutucrazy]

The pain is from the urine stinging the glans as a result of separation. This is a normal phase of separation that can come and go. This is not a reason to circ. Fungal infections can make the symptoms more pronounced b/c they cause added swelling that adds pressure to the urine leaving. This is what happened to my son. Your son does not need a circumcision. Get him on an oral diflucan to ensure the yeast is fully treated. In my experience the creams don't work well.

Just give him some time and the stinging while urinating will stop. Sometimes as new areas of the foreskin separate the stinging will return until the glans smooth over. This is normal. For my son it happened all at once but for some boys it come and goes until separation is complete. Here is a thread I have written about this:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ting+urination

It is normal for some swelling to accompany this symptom. The separation trauma causes this swelling. It will subside in about 4 days as the glans smooth over.

[tutucrazy]

Btw, make sure his in not using soap on his genitals. This can cause flora imbalance resulting in recurrent yeast and/or irritation. Then it sets up a chain reaction b/c the yeast or irritation causes a little swelling that results in more pressure as the urine exits. The pressure knocks adhesions loose, which causes a sharp stinging pain and some additional swelling due to the trauma. You see how it all ties together? If he is taking baths make sure he never sits in soapy water. Wash him then empty the tub and refill with clear water.

Also, you can give him a bath with a little baking soda (1/3 cup) to sooth the glans until the pain goes away.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

: I would get him a cup to pee in if it hurts that bad. I know it is similar to a tear near the urethra for a woman who has given birth and it does burn like fire. Have you read this thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732

If it where me I would tell him to stop retracting to clean for awhile and just swish in clean water. That is all the cleaning that is required. It will give him a chance to heal.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by adamsfam07

We did talk about how he is suppose to be keeping himself clean when he bathes and he admits he doesn't always.

Overly vigorous cleaning will cause more problems than not cleaning. The same thing happens to women who wash their vaginas with soap.

[Papai]

I'd worry about treating the infection and forget about circing. If your daughter had a genital infection you'd worry about clearing it up, not putting her through surgery.

You mention it's a fungal infection, they did take a culture? Is it yeast? If he's getting yeast infections, it's important to figure out why he's getting them. Smegma doesn't usually cause them, so something is triggering it.

If it's just separation of the foreskin, then it probably isn't really an infection.

[MyBoysBlue]

My DS is 7 and he is retractable but I don't think he ever retracts to clean. Maybe once every few months I may ask and he always goes "Oh I forgot." So if he never cleans like my son it wouldn't necessarily be a problem. Also when he does clean I just tell him to pull it back and swish then replace. That's it. No drying inside afterwords and a big NO soap. It' is actually self cleaning until puberty hormones kick in then a bit more regular washing is needed. I just wanted you to know that this isn't caused by lack of cleaning. I agree that it is most likely separation issues and maybe an infection but infections aren't always caused because of lack of cleaning. Some people are more prone to yeast then others.

[adamsfam07]

The ER didn't take a culture just a urine sample and tested that and said it was a fungal infection. I know I'm probably just overreacting and he's perfectly normal, I just didn't know what I could do to help. And it doesn't help that DH keeps putting doubts in my head about my decision not to circ. our sons, he's always been afraid "something like this would happen". We're definatley going to try the peeing in a cup thing, DS thought that was hilarious btw. Thank you mommas, I read the articles and they definately helped, I'm feeling much better now, sorry again for the freaking out.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

That is what we mama's do freak out Then we calm back down.

Girls often have extremely sore breasts when they start to develop. I know mine would hurt so badly sometimes. It is just part of the maturing process and unfortunately it is painful sometimes.

[MyBoysBlue]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

Girls often have extremely sore breasts when they start to develop. I know mine would hurt so badly sometimes. It is just part of the maturing process and unfortunately it is painful sometimes.

I had totally forgotten about that, but I too now remember them hurting. I hated wearing those training bras as it made it hurt more. Sorry Off topic.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Well I think it is sorta on topic to remind everyone that boys who have painful separation at times are not alone since us females have painful things as well. But generally when we have them no one wants to cut the parts off.

[tennisdude23]

Originally Posted by MyBoysBlue

My DS is 7 and he is retractable but I don't think he ever retracts to clean. Maybe once every few months I may ask and he always goes "Oh I forgot." So if he never cleans like my son it wouldn't necessarily be a problem. Also when he does clean I just tell him to pull it back and swish then replace. That's it. No drying inside afterwords and a big NO soap. It' is actually self cleaning until puberty hormones kick in then a bit more regular washing is needed. I just wanted you to know that this isn't caused by lack of cleaning. I agree that it is most likely separation issues and maybe an infection but infections aren't always caused because of lack of cleaning. Some people are more prone to yeast then others.

Yeah, you don't really have to do much washing there. It's pretty much a self-cleaning mechanism. Once puberty hits, boys sort of figure out that you have to wash down there. Aside from minor irritation when I was younger, I never had any infections, and I don't remember retracting much until puberty. So, self cleaning sounds about right, lol.

[Dev]

QUOTE=adamsfam07;14306039] We saw our Dr. 2 days later for follow up, he glances at him and says he needs a circ, made an appt. with urologist at the end of Sept.[/QUOTE]

Good for you mama for not followig the Dr.'s wrong advice to circ. Cancel the appt. with the urologist. Surgical amputation of your 8 yr. olds prepuce due to the symptoms your son presents is illogical. It’s disgusting that licensed physicians can be so incompetent, unethical, and money hungry in the U.S. Find a competent doctor for your son and please please tell your doctor why you dumped him and the incorrect surgical recommendation he gave for your intact son who has a fungal infection and some normal separation of his prepuce from his glans. File a complaint with the clinic director and the state licensing board. If parents don’t complain doctors will continue to recommend circumcision of intact boys for erroneous, illogical reasons. When will this madness end ! Last month you posted that the Dr. recommended circumcision because "when he retracted your son's prepuce a little, it had no elasticity." The doctor(s) you have recently met with are incompetent and could have caused problems to your son's prepuce by "retracting it a little."

[ursaminor]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

: I would get him a cup to pee in if it hurts that bad. I know it is similar to a tear near the urethra for a woman who has given birth and it does burn like fire.

I was just about to mention that, too. It was awfully painful. I let sea salt, calendula, uva ursi, and shepards purse steep in a big pot and then added it, warm, to a peri bottle to douse when urinating. It really helped soothe the burning sensation.

[jimp]

New member, first post. I came across this website googling for information about the AIDS/circumcision studies in Africa.

I read through a few threads. One negative mentioned to circumcision is the risk of infection with a circumcised infant penis in diapers, and pain suffered by newborn boys from circumcision.

However, it seems that it's not unusual for there to be pain, swelling and infections (fungal or non-fungal) on intact children as the foreskin separates from the glans, it just occurs later in life.

Isn't it better just to get it over with and have them circumcised when they are infants rather than deal with all these problems?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

These "problems" ( not really problems in a lot of the cases, just growing up issues) are not something every boy has as a matter of fact it is rare.

Using that logic you would then have to remove any body part that might become infected later and it just dosnt make sense. These things are easily treated and like I mentioned up thread girls go through pain as well sometimes but we just deal with it because it is part of life.

If you read more you will see the majority of problems are caused by improper care or wrong diagnosis by a health care professionals. I have yet to read a thread here where there was a issue that required circ every one was fixed using meds or just giving it time to heal on its own.

The odds of circed boys having problems like bleeding or adhesions is higher than the risk of problems with the intact penis.

You might want to check out the Intact and no problems thread here as well. Lots more with no problems than problems.

The only reason you see a lot of threads like that here is because this in the place on the web that is known for correct information and help on the web.

[jimp]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

These "problems" are not something every boy has as a matter of fact it is rare. Using that logic you would then have to remove any body part that might become infected later and it just dosnt make sense. These things are easily treated and like I mentioned up thread girls go through pain as well sometimes but we just deal with it because it is part of life.

IMO it's really difficult to get accurate numbers on the "problems" of intact vs circumcised. Depending on your point of view, there seem to be different sets of numbers!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It is hard to get accurate information. No studies have been done on the effects of circ later on but it is estimated 10% of circed boys/men have issues like meteal stenosis, tight/painful erections etc.

The bottom line it is a human rights issue and boys should be protected so they can choose later in life what they want and not have it forced on them by anyone.

Here is the Intact and no problems thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ct+no+problems

[jimp]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

It is hard to get accurate information. No studies have been done on the effects of circ later on but it is estimated 10% of circed boys/men have issues like meteal stenosis, tight/painful erections etc.

10% seems awfully high based on my unscientific anecdotal evidence from my circle of friends. But I can't say for sure because I just don't discuss erection issues with them. The only person I know whose ever had an issue is my neighbor's 2 year old son, who is intact and gets swelling every now and then. But it always seems to be minor, and I think it's more due to the fact that his mom is busy and doesn't change his diaper as often as she should.

So my opinion is, based on what I've seen, there seem to be few problems for both intact and circumcised. But again this is unscientific and completely anecdotal.

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

The bottom line it is a human rights issue and boys should be protected so they can choose later in life what they want and not have it forced on them by anyone.

I guess I don't see it as a human rights issue.

[robertandenith]

Jimp, sorry but it is. If someone cut YOU without consent, do you see as a violation of human rights? or do I have the right to remove part of your body without consent?