Recurring infection in foreskin - anyone any experience of symptoms/treatment? Or of circumcision for health reasons?

[bondgirl77]

Hiya, my DS, 3.2, had ballanitis (sp?) which is an infection of the foreskin for the first time before Xmas. First GP treated it with oral abs, then when that had no effect, with the same ointment you have for conjunctivitis - chloramphenicol. He had it again over Xmas, and because we were away I bought some of the ointment and treated it myself, then it went away, then came back a third time and I took him to GP, who said it didn't look that bad to her (I could tell by his gait and flinching that it was hurting him, he has stopped telling me he is in pain as knows it results in a GP visit or me poking around and applying ointment!). This evening he has admitted that it is hurting again. Has anyone else had any experience of this problem? Last time I asked GP what if it doesn't go away, it just seems to keep coming back and she mumbled something about circumcision, but they don't tend to do it on such young boys. However, it doesn't seem right that it keeps on coming back. I can't keep on treating it and just for it to recur, surely?!

[thelittlebluepills]

not sure that clormamphenicol is going to be the best treatment as balanitis can be bacterial or fungal so you'd need something that treats both

make sure he has a bath every night - and if possible get him to pull back the foreskin as far as it will comfortably go

I would ask for a referral to a paediatric urologist if he has trouble retracting it and/or he keeps getting infections.

He isn't particularly young for a circumcision and if he needs one it's best to have it done before he can remember too much about it.

DS2 is just waiting for a date for his circumcision and he's 2.5

[bondgirl77]

Hiya, thanks for the advice. One of our problems is we only have a shower and it's really hard to get a nice warm soak that way! I try and clean it as much as he'll let me but it's not the same. I'm not really doing anything different to the way I've always cleaned it though so I'm not sure what has changed suddenly. His foreskin seems quite tight but I'm not sure what to expect really. Will take him to GP and ask for referral. Good plan.

[Suzannesee]

Balanitis is very persistent and can suddenly recur throughout childhood or adult life leaving scars which make the foreskin dysfunctional. My nephew developed this at a similar age and had off and on bouts which ended for good when they circumcised him aged 7. It would have been far kinder and saved a lot of misery and the NHS money to have done this small operation straight away. Had she known what was to come, my sister would have pushed for circumcision at the outset. Her son has never looked back since and was very happy with his 'new' penis.

Your GP who 'mumbled something about circumcision' probably knows this deep down, but current practice seems to be to only circumcise as a last resort after creams have failed over a long time. Removing the foreskin removes the problem for life and millions of circumcised men live happily ever after.

thelittlebluepills is quite right. Your son isn't particularly young for circumcision, it can be done at any age but the younger the better and easier it is for them. As a result of caring for my nephew during one period of his distress, I resolved to circumcise any boys I might have. So far we have two and both were circumcised at a few weeks old. The NHS were unwilling to undertake this preventative procedure and we had to go private. PM me if you have to and want details.

[ariane5]

my ds has always suffered with infections like this since the age of one, he is currently on antibiotics again for this. when he was 2 the dr suggested circumcision but said to wait untill he was a bit older and out of nappies to see if it got better of its own accord. it hasnt yet but im hoping it will

[bondgirl77]

suzannesee that is really interesting, thank you for the advice. It is such a distressing thing to deal with and what worries me is the fact he is not telling me about the pain any more but I can tell from the expression etc that it is painful, and he is holding in his wee too I'm sure of it. He's also worked out that drinking is associated with weeing and it's a battle to get him to drink enough. This is the fourth reoccurence in 2 months and if I stop using the ointment it comes back within days. I hope I get a sympathetic GP but if not I will definitely ask you about private. I'm not sure how to PM someone but will work it out!

[jassinkernow]

no wise advice bondgirl, but feel for you and DS. My DS has just had his first bout of balanitis - v much hoping it was a one off. He was treated with canesten cream and it cleared up pretty quick but was unpleasant while it lasted. Our GP mentioned cicumcision if it recurrs, suggested I crack on with potty training (he's 2.4) and giving him some naked time at home
hope you get a sympathetic GP who can help sort it out for you

[bondgirl77]

Naked time good idea, if only it were summer! Got an appt with the GP to discuss on Thurs, fingers crossed. Also doc I spoke to on phone said they will do another urine test to check for sugar. We'll see.