possible infection? advice needed

[bluegirl91695]

A few weeks ago one of my friends was babysitting my 3 year old son and retracted his foreskin while giving him a bath. I found out when she asked me if I knew that the tip of his penis was really red? I almost flipped out on her and told her that NO, I did not know that because I don't look at the tip of his penis - that I leave his foreskin alone. She thought that she was supposed to pull the foreskin back and clean the glans. I didn't think to tell her not to do that because she's watched him before and we never had an issue. I've also never had a problem with any other caregiver retracting his foreskin. Well, now I know that I have to tell EVERYONE that comes in contact with my son's penis to just leave it alone!!

I was concerned that she had hurt him when she retracted his penis so we took him to the doctor to have it checked. I really had mixed feelings about it because I didn't want to have his foreskin retracted again but I was also worried that something was wrong with him. The doctor said that it didn't look like his foreskin was forced, that his it is retracting well, and that glans was just mildly irritated and that it looked worse than it actually was. The doctor sounded like the issue would probably resolve on its own. So, I felt relieved and have been caring for it as usual, i.e. just leaving it alone and washing only the outside of his penis.

It has been 2 1/2 weeks since the retraction incident and he is now saying "ow!" and that his penis hurts when we touch his penis when bathing or wiping. I'm concerned that he could have an infection but I'm scared to take him to the doctor and have them mess with his foreskin again. Can the doctor check for an infection without retracting his foreskin? I've seen some things while researching on the internet that indicate the doctor can swab the opening of the foreskin to check for yeast or bacterial infections without having to retract. Does anyone know if this is accurate?

Thanks in advance!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It could be that he is remembering the retractions and the discomfort and is saying ow because of that.

I wouldnt take him in unless there was swelling, discharge and severe pain if that does happen and you take him in dont let the dr retract him at all not even a tiny bit. The swab is done to the very tip of the foreskin only. If you check out the resources sticky the thread The Definition of Retraction and why it is BAD there are instructions there on the proper way to do a swab.

When you took him to the Dr. did the dr retract to look at his glans? if he did then your dr is ignorant on intact care.

The glans of the intact penis is supposed to be a bright red/purple in color because it is an internal organ like the inner vagina and mouth.

[bluegirl91695]

Yes, the doctor retracted the foreskin some during the examination. I thought that he had to in order to determine whether there was any trauma to the penis. Now I feel bad about that, because I know that it's not supposed to be retracted at all. The Nurse Practitioner that we normally see at the practice doesn't retract his penis at all but since we were there for a "sick" appointment we had to take the doctor that was available.

There isn't any discharge or swelling so I'm not sure that I'll take him back in. My husband thinks that we should but my gut is telling me not to. It's just hard to stick to that feeling when my son vocalizes pain whenever his penis is touched. I don't want him to be in pain and not do anything about it. I'm not an expert on the intact penis and I don't want my child to hurt so it's very easy to doubt what I should do.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Other than a swab there is nothing a dr can do. It is possible that he is retracting a bit more and has a few tender spots. It is very normal for boys to have some pain during the seperation process. Have you seen this thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732 it has some very helpful information about what to look for in case there is a real problem.

[bluegirl91695]

Yes, I've seen that thread. It helps ease my concerns and gives me some validation for my gut feeling. The more that I think about it I think that he's okay. He is still touching his penis and exploring that area of his body so it must not be hurting him that badly. I agree that he might be reacting to us touching it because he's afraid of being retracted again.

It really helps to have this forum for information and questions because I don't know very many people that have chosen not to circumcise their sons. It makes me sad that most people don't even consider leaving their son intact.