any ideas? wound question

[AmandaBL]

I have 2 intact boys, 11 & 5yrs. My little one was playing on the computer & started crying that his penis hurt out of nowhere. It looked red. He did not want neosporin on it. It didn't hurt when he peed. He swore he didn't pull it hard or put anything in it (If you have boys, I imagine you understand that question haha) We went to bed. Today, no real complaints till he peed at dinner. He did LOTS of complaining then. I got home and had a look. He is mostly retractable so I asked him to show me where it hurt and he retracted without pain but revealed a fairly large (I'd say 1/2 the circumference of the penis) red/purple "wound" behind the glans. The opening of the foreskin is fine - not red or swollen. It is not bleeding or bloody. I have never seen anything like this. I suspect he has done something to tear it or force a seperation there? I suggested he retract the foreskin slightly when peeing until it heals as I think the urine filled the interior foreskin and came in contact with the "wound" Anyone have this experience? Should I commence with the vaseline? My doctor knows about 1/10th of what I do about an intact penis so not an excellent resource for me. Thanks in advance, AmandaBL

[Maiasaura]

I suspect someone with more knowledge than me will post shortly, but in the meanwhile-- is the "wound" open? raw? red? Can you describe it? How big is it? is it deep?

I'm thinking mostly that at the least, plop him in the bath. I always did that for any of my son's penis issues, and they usually cleared up in a day or several. Mostly I never knew what it was that irritated it-- could have been a grain of sand from the sandbox, for all I knew

I'd probably not put Vaseline in it. It's a petroleum product and you don't want that in a mucous membrane, I'd think.

Poor little guy. I hope he feels better, soon!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Sounds like seperation for sure. Dont put neosporine on the genitals because it can be very irritating use otc bacatracin instead. Having him to retract and pee is a good idea you are right the pee will burn the area. Also peeing in a cup of water can help stop the sting.

It should heal within 48 hours on its own without any help but the bacatracin will help be a barrier and keep the germs off.

[mommyinIL1976]

Hmmm...we've never had an experieince like that either.

Could it be some sort of blood blister from a pinch (like he zipped it up in a zipper or something)?

Don't worry about the urine. Urine is sterile so there's no risk of infection. However, since he is retractable you might have to worry about foreign materials up there causing an infection if the "wound" does open up. I would definetely keep an eye on it and if it's not healing, a trip to the ped would be appropriate. I guess vaseline wouldn't hurt, but if he won't let you put neosporin (probably because it will sting) on it, will he let you apply the vaseline. What if you dab a little of the vaseline on his finger and let him do it?

[tutucrazy]

Just leave it alone and let it heal, this is probably just some separation trauma. Your advice to retract a little while he urinates is good. This will keep the urine from stinging. If it is an open wound you can put a little bacitracin on it for a day or two. No neosporin. It shouldn't take too long to heal up.