Circumcision wound care - savlon or vaseline?

[thelittlebluepills]

DS2 (aged 3) had a circumcision on tuesday and it seems to be healing up ok except for one part where it's looking a bit weepy. The major issue is that he is terrified of anyone touching it in case it hurts - we are managing to get nappy changes done but not involving touching his willy at all. He will also not go in a bath so we can't clean it during the day. He is asleep now so I will open his nappy up for the next few hours so it can all breathe nicely. Obviously I will be trying to do gentle cleaning with cooled boiled water whilst he's asleep but should I also try and put vaseline or savlon on? Because the next time I'll be able to clean it will be tomorrow night.

Poor lad is traumatised enough at the moment - I want to build his confidence about nappy changes etc rather than have to pin him down at any point

Poor little chap. Ouch.

I would use a bit of vaseline, as expect savlon would sting.

Is he in nappy or pants in the day?

Thanks

In nappy during the day - which works ok because he would rather not see his willy at the moment! He is being treated to posh (Pampers) nappies this week as they seem to "breathe" nicely and I'm changing him as soon as he is wet. No chance of getting him into pants at the moment.

I wouldn't use savlon or anything like that it will be incredibly painful, just vasaline. Poor little boy, is he in pants during the day? I would have him walk around with nothing on at all as much as possible to aid healing and dry the would.

Thanks Scarlett - will do the vaseline then - when I tried leaving the nappy off he just lay flat in his bed and refused to move until I put a nappy on - saying that his willy is sore - with a nappy on he is happy running around etc

Obviously I'm trying to balance the short term wound care issues with the longer term psychological issues - e.g. being terrified of anyone touching it

I think vaseline would stop the wound sticking to the nappy as well as helping it heal. Hope he heals up quickly!

Sit him in a warm bath every night. That will keep it clean without physically washing it.

MoreBeta - he won't go near the bath at the moment - he normally loves bathtime but currently runs away screaming if we even mention it

Poor ds!

Dh had a circumcision when he was a little older than your ds and he suggested a paddling pool to try and make bathtime a little bit more fun for him so he forgets, could that be an option?

Our DS2 was circumcised and doctor specifically told us that this was a really good thing. DS2 was very reluctant at first but let him get in stood up and in his own time lower himself down onto his knees.

It is frightening more than it is painful but keep trying with bribes and lots of praise.

Good luck.

Thanks will definitely try the bath/paddling pool thing. We'll get some bubbles (for blowing) out and see if that will tempt him.

I have just managed to very gently wipe the wound. even that disturbed him and he's whimpering in his sleep

No chance of getting the vaseline on. Will see how it looks tomorrow and may get the nurse to see him to check it's ok. Is it normal for it to weep a little or is it a sign of infection starting? Bit difficult to tell from other symptoms as it's bruised and swollen anyway.

Thanks for all your replies. Moral support is much appreciated as DH is being utterly pathetic finds it hard to cope with this particular issue and feels sick everytime he catches a glance of DS' willy

No soap bubbles in the water as it will sting. Only baby bath shampoo.

It is normal for it to weep clear or slightly pink fluid. It is due to the wound healing. If it starts to leak grey/yellow/white/green then straight to GP.

Poor chap, hope he's better soon.
One thing on the nappies- all the plasticky types get warm when he wees, which may be uncomfortable... maybe try Nature Nappies (they go up to a size 6) as they don't get warm. They are the only ones that don't aggravate my DS's eczema, and he never has nappy rash either.

The weeping isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as there is no sign of infection, ie; swelling redness, overheating and pus. Old blood and lymph fluids need to ooze away. That's normal. Sometimes they form a yellowy crust. That's normal. Keeping the wound clean, dry and free to air speeds healing as do salt baths but the latter seem to be out of the question for you and it could do more harm than good forcing him. Maybe persuading him to soak his willy in a jar or cup of salt water with the assurance it will soothe and make it feel better is a strategy worth trying?

This is the worst stage, but if it stays clear of infection it will be very short. Boys of this age heal incredibly quickly and never look back after this operation, which has a lifetime of benefits. Later on it can be an awful experience; painful and embarrassing, so congratulate yourself on getting this done while he is young enough to get over it easily. Surprisingly, chances are he won't remember it. I never understand why the NHS wants to defer circumcision and take a chance on any problem sorting itself out eventually - which it often doesn't.

Thanks Suzanne - that is very helpful as I had been a bit concerned about the slight weeping - but it's not looking red or swollen and there's no fever.

We used gentle encouragement to get him to stand in the bath last night (initially with his nappy and t shirt on) and then after a while he took t shirt off. Through playing water games I managed to tip loads of bath water down the front and back of his nappy and he eventually agreed to take it off so we were able to pour lots of bath water over his bits. He didn't sit down in the bath but at least it all got a good rinse - and hopefully he's over the phobia about the bath.

thelittlebluepills Glad he is making progress. I PM'd you with more info.