[bigislandmama]

Last night my son who is 17 months was pointing to his penis and grunting like it hurt. We are doing elimination communication with him and 5 times yesterday he would make his sign for the bathroom and then we would go in there and he would just sit on the toilet. I thought maybe he had a UTI. When I gave him a bath yesterday I could see that his penis looked a little red and irritated. This morning when I took him into the bathroom I looked in his diaper and there was a very small amount of white discharge. His foreskin is red and swollen. What could it be? My poor little guy. Any suggestions on how to treat this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help or info you have.

I've posted this in another forum and one of the mama's told me to post here that you all have great info and are really helpful. So far most of the replys have been to take him to the dr. I would like to treat if naturally if at all possible and only take him to the dr. as a last resort.

 

[momto3boys]

I'd have him soak in a lavendar/tea tree oil bath(just a tiny drop of tea tree oil).

My son had his foreskin get inflamed and swell once and this worked like a charm.

 

[cfiddlinmama]

Dr Paavo Airola (Every Woman's Book) is very against circ and he says to use a paste of cornstarch and water and put in on a cloth or gauze and apply frequently and it will heal. Whatever you do, don't let a dr retract him! I hope he feels better!

 

[baybee]

I'm a big fan of zinc diaper cream for this type of thing. Penaten is my favourite because it really stays put (don't know if you have that brand in the U.S.) but Desitin would do. There's something magic about zinc for any type of skin ouchy.
Baybee

 

[LeosMama]

I would agree with the tea tree oil and lavendar oil soak. Very antimicrobial!

If it persists more than another couple of days, you should take him to see a doctor, but don't let them retract him, they can get a culture without retraction. And make sure they do culture him if they are going to give him antibiotics.

They CAN do a clean catch for urine without retracting him and even without using a catheter. They can clean the outside of the prepuce and tape a baggie on him. That's standard practice, don't let them try to tell you otherwise!!

 

[kldliam]

An anti-biotic, anti-inflamitory topical cream may be needed if the natural remedies do not work. I do not know the name of it off-hand. Beware that your Pedi doesn't try to retract if you do take him in. Good Luck.

 

[bigislandmama]

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I am going to do a lavender and tea tree bath tonight and see if that helps. I am also going to let him go nakey and just keep a real close eye on it.
I also should add that ds does not have a fever and his penis is not hot to the touch, which leads me to believe that it is not an infection.
Do you think waiting until Friday to see if it clears up is too long to wait before taking him to the dr?

 

[kldliam]

Quote:

Big Island Mama: Do you think waiting until Friday to see if it clears up is too long to wait before taking him to the dr?

Well, if he is in pain or serious discomfort...yes. If not then I don't think it would be a big deal to wait till friday. Have you asked him if it hurts? Does he talk yet?

 

[bigislandmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kldliam Well, if he is in pain or serious discomfort...yes. If not then I don't think it would be a big deal to wait till friday. Have you asked him if it hurts? Does he talk yet?

He's not really talking, but we do a good job communicating. Last night when I asked him if it hurt, he would point to his penis and kind of grunt and a little wimper. Today though he doesn't seem to be in as much pain. When I asked him if it hurt he point and pull at his penis with no complaints. He has been going to the bathroom and also touching it and it doesn't seem to bother him. The swelling has really gone down a whole lot. Now it is just red and looks irritated.

 

[bigislandmama]

Just wanted to post an update.
My little one is feeling soooo much better. I kept an eye on it and told dh that if it wasn't better by morning that we would call our Dr. friend and get him checked out. We put this grapeseed extract with a mild tea tree solution on it yesterday and we were doing cold water dips (which he was getting a kick out of - we took a baby food jar and put cold water in it and would let him just dip his penis in it throughout the day). By noon yesterday it looked 85% better. The swelling had gone down completely and it was just a little red. He was not complaining of it hurting at all. He also really enjoyed being naked all day. When I gave him a bath I put some lavender and tea tree in and then when I put his diaper on I put some MotherLove diaper cream on it and this morining it is 100% cleared up. Yay! I am so glad he is feeling better and that we don't have to go in for a Dr. visit (He's 17 months today and we have not been to a Dr. once). I'm glad we were able to take care of it naturally. Thank you to all the Mamas for all your suggestions and kind words.

 

[kldliam]

I am so happy he is all better. Good Job Mom!

 

[mlmkmm]

I'm so glad my son doesn't have to deal with this.

 

[Pandora114]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlmkmm I'm so glad my son doesn't have to deal with this.

Would you please clarify your statement?

 

[kldliam]

Quote:

I'm so glad my son doesn't have to deal with this.

I assume your child has been circumcised? I am so glad my son didn't have to deal with that.

:

 

[Pandora114]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kldliam I assume your child has been circumcised? I am so glad my son didn't have to deal with that. :

Amen! A little diaper rash on the foreskin is NOTHING compared to a circ.

Oy.

 

[kldliam]

I was just sitting here thinking about all the things my poor son has to deal with for the rest of his life. All of the various illness's and infection's that he may get all over his entire body. Things that i might have been able to prevent, had I only cut off the right body part when he was born. what was i thinking???

Preemptive surgery....what a novel idea.

 

[Pandora114]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kldliam I was just sitting here thinking about all the things my poor son has to deal with for the rest of his life. All of the various illness's and infection's that he may get all over his entire body. Things that i might have been able to prevent, had I only cut off the right body part when he was born. what was i thinking??? Preemtive surgery....what a novel idea.

Yeah ya gotta prevent that horrible diaper rash from inflaming the foreskin dontcha know.

That's just horrid! It's SO much better for the diaper rash to go into the exposed meatus and cause irritation and scarring and meatal stenosis and all that good stuff than to keep it protected with the foreskin..

*voicing my sarcasm along with your sarcasm

*