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Original poster

Any ideas what this could be? 5 year old severe pain in privates

27 replies

cuterugsandhotchoc · 10/10/2024 05:37

DS (5) has been up all night crying that his penis is really painful. I've checked it this morning and it is very swollen. I've tried googling and the only thing that comes up is balanitis but that suggests that the pain would be near the foreskin, his pain and swelling is about half way up and he says the end isn't sore. Any ideas what it could be? Obviously I'll be calling the drs at 8 to get him an appt.

OP posts:
ahemfem · 10/10/2024 05:38

Just wait until you've spoken to the Dr

Donotgogentle · 10/10/2024 05:40

Can he wee op?

Donotgogentle · 10/10/2024 05:43

DS had balanitis a couple of times and it was very much at the end of the penis. If your DS is not able to urinate it might be a blockage and I’d go to A&E.

Not a HCP.

Boobygravy · 10/10/2024 05:45

If he’s weeing ok give him a dose of ibuprofen syrup and an ice pack wrapped in a cloth until you can get medical help.
If he can’t wee get him to A&E.

rayofsunshine86 · 10/10/2024 05:45

Is he able to wee? I don't much about penis issues (my boy is v young) but if he couldn't wee that would be a trip to the hospital

Godlovesall26 · 10/10/2024 05:46

Could you call 111 in the meantime ? They should be able to guide you re A&E or GP

Chicooo · 10/10/2024 05:49

Poor thing.

Lucky didn't happen to us, but when the kids were younger I remember my MIL saying a few times about checking hairs hadn't got wrapped around their willies as think it had happened to DH or one of his brothers and actually gotten quite bad.

So if it's an external/skin pain could be that?

Original poster
cuterugsandhotchoc · 10/10/2024 05:49

He can wee fine and he says it doesn't hurt when he goes which is reassuring. It very swollen though, like the size of a grape but half way up the penis

OP posts:
Donotgogentle · 10/10/2024 05:55

Personally I’d ring 111 if it’s the size of a grape. It’s not an area where you’d want infection to take hold.

Hope all goes well op.

Godlovesall26 · 10/10/2024 05:56

cuterugsandhotchoc · 10/10/2024 05:49

He can wee fine and he says it doesn't hurt when he goes which is reassuring. It very swollen though, like the size of a grape but half way up the penis

I’d call 111 if I were you for advice, although that depends on your GP practice I guess how long you’d be waiting for an appointment anyway.
I don’t think the same ‘taking up time’ aspect applies to LOs for A&E, besides they’re pretty good at triaging there, especially for such a specific issue, so you’d hardly be taking up much time. I’d be reluctant to self medicate (but that’s just me, always am! Also mine is much littler!). Could you drive him there if necessary ? May end up being quicker really, especially as you’re close-ish to GP opening hours.

Original poster
cuterugsandhotchoc · 10/10/2024 20:35

Hopefully someone may still be on here who can give some advice. I rang the gp this morning but they said we needed to go to a&e. We got there to be told they weren't sure why we had been sent as the gp could have dealt with it as it was balanitis. I was frustrated but glad we had been seen and got an answer. When we got to the hospital he was still the same so no temp and fine in himself etc.

My new worry is that tonight he is now really burning up and saying it hurts more. They didn't give us any medication as they said balanitis goes away by itself. Is it normal for it to cause a fever and be getting more painful or should I be getting him seen again?

OP posts:
nottodaytomorrow · 10/10/2024 20:38

Definitely ring 111 could be coincidence but don't risk incase it's infection taking hold

Wibblywobblybobbly · 10/10/2024 20:39

I would call 111 they may well send you back to A&E.

DingDongDell70 · 10/10/2024 20:39

Ring 111 for advice.

CobbldyCook · 10/10/2024 20:40

Phone 111

PinotPony · 10/10/2024 20:43

Absolutely get him seen again. Is it definitely his penis? Testicular torsion can be very common in young boys.

Monvelo · 10/10/2024 20:45

My ds had a cream for balanitis, I want to say dactacort? We also had to use a steroid cream for a while.

TimTamTime · 10/10/2024 20:46

111 or take him back to A&E. If his temp is up I would head back to A&E.

TotHappy · 10/10/2024 20:47

Blimey, they said it resolves itself? My boy wS younger, 3 I think, but when he had balanitis he could not stop crying and screaming about the pain for more than a few seconds. Minor injuries/OOH GP gave him something, I totally forget what, to help. It would have been unbearable otherwise! It was unbearable for the 60 mins we waited to be seen, for us and everyone else waiting!

nocoolnamesleft · 10/10/2024 20:51

I would not expect a simple balinitis to cause fever.

Dramatic · 10/10/2024 20:53

Get him seen again, that doesn't sound right at all to me.

Elpheba · 10/10/2024 20:55

My son had Balanitis on Christmas Day and we got prescribed oral antibiotics- it was so sore for him. I’d be tempted to go back and ask for some.

Original poster
cuterugsandhotchoc · 10/10/2024 20:55

Thanks all I will ring 111 for some advice. For those asking about medication I did question it as last time he was given a cream but the consultant we saw said that the cream just spreads infection so she thought it best to let it heal on its own. Despite the fact that it is massive swollen and purple. Not sure I agree with her decision at all!

OP posts:
Daysgo · 10/10/2024 21:07

Id be tempted to go back to a and e

NewUser1111 · 10/10/2024 21:08

Our son was prescribed an antibiotic cream when he had balanitis and it sounds like your son has a more severe case than he did. Poor boy. Hope it resolves itself soon.