Cleaning behind baby foreskin

[EdwardorEricCantDecide]

DS is 23months old his penis is red and swollen and he appears in pain when it's touched.

I called my aunt who's a nurse who asked if his foreskin was back I said I didn't know the foreskin could move before puberty.

Should I have been cleaning behind foreskin? (currently afraid that if I am meant to then i've been completely neglecting him for almost 2years)

You don't need to pull it back, you need to take him to the GP and get some cream!

No, you are not meant to pull it back. Ring the Dr and you'll probably get anti-fungal cream and antibiotics. You've done nothing wrong, it happens sometimes. DS1 had an infection when he was about 18 months old, cleared up very quickly once treated.

Agree completely with belle - do not touch!

Thank god!

So i shouldn't be cleaning inside foreskin regularly
I'll see how he is in morning and call NHS 24

Thanks for you reply

no, you shouldn't be pulling it back, he is too young.

get thee to a GP!

Noooo don't pull back his foreskin! He'll be doing it himself before long and that's fine (and will make your eyes water at how he pulls and prods at his willy) but no need for anyone else to go there.

Ds retracts now at 4 but at your ds's age was definitely still attached.

for washing - as per here you just leave it alone

DS is 4 and I have never pulled his foreskin back to wash so if you're neglectful than I'm worse :)

Under the foreskin is pretty self cleaning and it's best to leave it alone unitl your DS is ready to start pulling it back himself. I think it's still attached to the glans before that so you could really hurt him if you try to help it along

They can get an infection there, has nothing to do with how clean he is. You shouldn't pull it back, your aunt isn't correct. She's not a childrens nurse is she? Adult nurses have very little paediatric training, 2 weeks IIRC so this info really isn't correct. Sounds painful for him though, the GP/out of hours is where you need to go.

She's an adult respiratory nurse but her DS (who's now 19yo) was apparently obsessed with his penis when younger so mum said she'd be the one to ask

I'm going to call NHS 24 in the morning he's sleeping soundly ATM it only seems to bother him when carrying him on my hip or wiping at nappy change so ok till morning I think

My three boys have occasionally had redness, stinging. A good soak
In a tub with a few drops of tea tree and lavender have always done the trick.

19 years ago it was probably advised to do this, not now though It'll be sore for him.

I hope he's feeling happier soon.