4yr old DS with sore 'tinky'

[Cazzr]

For a few weeks now DS has on and off complained about a sore willy 'after' doing a wee.
Back when he first complained about it we took him to the docs as I suspected a urine infection. Doc sent a sample off and said the dipstick showed a trace of blood but wasn't worried. Urine test came back -ve.

Thing is I'm beginning to wonder if there's something 'not right' with DS's bits, but being a woman myself and no other DS's I don't know whats normal. DH isn't much help either.
The niggle is as follows.

When DS goes for a wee, his willy blows up like a balloon first then all the wee comes out. Is this normal or is there something not right? I suspect foreskin too tight, but really not sure why I suspect this.

When I took him to the docs the doc did take a look at his willy and retracted the foreskin a bit to check for soreness etc. He mentioned DS should be doing this in the bath to keep it clean. I'm wary of this and up until then left well alone without issue but have tried a couple of times since but it just doesn't seem to go very far back and I worry about hurting him so generally just leave it alone to just soak in the bath. The area doesn't seem red or anything and he only complains a few minutes after going for a wee..

Advice and opinions needed. Help.
Planning to take him to docs again but feel the need to be armed with a bit more information..

[bumbums]

Hey can't really offer any advice but, do you call wee, tinky? Because my family does and I've never met anyone else who calls it that!

[Jacksmybaby]

Form what you describe, DS is the same re the "balloon" thing just before weeing, I have always assumed that's normal? (I don't mean hugely swollen up like a round balloon, but very slightly swollen.)

[Deux]

My DS often gets a sore penis - at the end and it can seem a bit red and inflammed. He often said it hurt with weeing. I had a light bulb moment when I realised that it seemed to happen after he had been swimming.

Went to GP who said that chemicals in pool can cause this, irritation. He prescribed Canesten HC to put on it. We do this after swimming and has been fine since.

Just something to consider. Also, thought a degree of ballooning was normal.

[summery]

Could it be balanitis?

[Cazzr]

bumbums: no tinky as in his willy. He picked up the term from the childminder.

Jacksmybaby: thanks, it probably is normal then, was kinda clutching at straws..

He doesn't complain when he does the wee but does after .. e.g. when he's pulled pants etc up and then gone downstairs.. I wondered if the residual wee is making something sore..

Doc didn't notice anything untoward when he examined him but did mention about pulling his foreskin back when in the bath to clean it...

Does anyone else do this, how far can it go back at his age? It doesn't seem to be able to go all the way back like an adult, if you know what I mean... and I don't like to do it for fear of hurting him..

[Cazzr]

summery: not sure about balanitis, did a quick google and sounds like an infection but surely this would have been picked up in the urine sample?

[mankyscotslass]

Just a thought, DS, also 4 has just had a urine infection and thrush too. Poor wee boy cried after a wee.

Took him to the docs, he got antibiotics and canesten, both made a huge difference.

He was in age 4-5 trunk style cotton pants, and I think they were rubbing him and not helping, I moved him up to age 5-6, he is tall for his age, and it seems to help.

[Cazzr]

Hmm, found this on the web about circumcision, you might be right about balanitis summery...


At birth, the foreskin is joined to the head or the glans of the penis and by the age of 12 months the foreskin of approximately 50 per cent of boys has naturally separated from the glans. In a few cases however, the foreskin cannot be pulled back until the boy reaches teenage.

It is advisable to teach your son once he reaches the age of seven or eight years, to pull back his foreskin gently while he is in the bath and clean the area around the glans. This will prevent white secretion from collecting under the foreskin and may also be a preventative measure against cancer of the penis in adulthood. However it is important never to forcibly pull back the foreskin as this may cause the membranes beneath to tear.

The most common reasons for circumcision are social or religious and the only medical reason for this procedure are that the foreskin cannot be drawn back or it is too tight, which in turn can lead to inflammation (balanitis).

[Cazzr]

Jacksmybaby: how old is your son? Found this and think it's whats happening to my son, so a bit less worried..

www.cirp.org/library/hygiene/

The separation of the foreskin from the glans penis

The separation of the prepuce from the glans penis may occur at any age.7 Separation often starts around age 3-4 but it may not be complete until much later.1 Ballooning of the prepuce while urinating cannot occur until separation is underway. The occurence of ballooning indicates that separation has started.15 Babu et al. have proven that ballooning does not interfere with urination.21 Ballooning is a normal developmental stage and is not a cause for concern and does not require treatment.

A child temporarily may report some discomfort or pain while urinating during this period. This occurs because the ballooning may tear at any residual connection to the glans. The discomfort will stop when separation is complete. The foreskin may still not be retractable at this point because the opening is still narrow. With increased growth and maturity, the ballooning will end when opening of the foreskin widens.


I learn something new every day!

[Cazzr]

Mankyscotslass: Ds is also a big boy as DH and I are both over 6ft. We have him in 9-10 pants which are a bit big but not so much that they fall down, I think the difference in the sizes is smaller the older they get...

Anyway, doc didn't notice anything when we went last time so came away with nothing and DS is not in a LOT of pain with it, more uncomfortable and grabs himself a bit after having had a wee.

I suspect it is the thing above about his foreskin seperating but might pop to the docs to see if there is anything we can do to help with the discomfort..

[Jacksmybaby]

Thanks for the info Cazzr, DS is 3.6 so sounds about right - interestingly I took him to the docs on Monday for what i thought was a urine infection so this could all be connected!

[welcometothejungle]

My DS is nearly four and all we do is give his willy area a quick wash over with flannel in the shower. Is that normally how to treat a 4yo willy.

At what age of the DS does everyone else do the pull back and clean part?

[Cazzr]

Welcometothejungle: Ditto, and after reading the page on the link above, i think it's right.

It seems to suggest he will do it when it feels ready and with the least risk of causing damage. I'm guessing when they hit puberty.

[WelcometotheJungle]

Cazzr ; thanks.