Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Suddenly enlarged testicle in 7 year old

18 replies

joshandjamie · 15/06/2011 18:57

Hi

I was just getting my kids in the bath and noticed that my 7 year old son's testicles looked odd. On closer inspection, one of them is hugely enlarged - like about 5 times the normal size. You can see and feel one testicle that is normal but you can't feel or see the other testicle - it's just a big swollen lump. It's not red. He says it doesn't hurt. He is peeing normally. He doesn't recall getting hit or kicked in that particular spot.

Is this something to be urgently worried about? If it's like this in the morning I will take him to the doctor, but should I be doing anything more urgent? I tried calling NHS direct and the message said they were super busy and were only dealing with urgent cases. Not sure this qualifies. But don't want to just ignore it either. He says he doesn't remember if it was like this earlier.

I dont think it was like this yesterday. Help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
peanutbutterkid · 15/06/2011 19:00

I suggest you keep trying NHS direct for advice.
DS has had this problem intermittantly since about age 8yo & it means nothing for him (he has been checked out). But in some cases it can be serious, they will probably want to examine him soon if not today (5x too swollen is very swollen).

Most of the very serious things it could be would hurt an awful lot, so I doubt it's that urgent (others will tell you different, I suspect). Odds are that he thumped it and didn't notice because he was having fun.

hope that's some help

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 15/06/2011 19:02

Ring out of hours maybe?

clayre · 15/06/2011 19:04

A&e now!

HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/06/2011 19:05

I know someone that had similar, and they had emergency surgery that night for a twisted/tangled testicles or something.

It definitely can be innocuous but definitely needs checking ASAP I think.

Original poster
joshandjamie · 15/06/2011 19:06

ok - am on hold with NHS Direct right now.

OP posts:
Mabelface · 15/06/2011 19:08

I'd get it checked out.

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 15/06/2011 19:22

Fingers crossed it's nothing to worry about, but think you're right to make sure.

pinkytheshrinky · 15/06/2011 19:25

I would take him to a and e

wonkylegs · 15/06/2011 19:43

Don't worry my 3 yr old has something similar at moment and it's most probably a hydrocele (you can do a test for this which ur son may find either cool or gross ....shine a torch up against the swollen testicle if it glows it is probably a hydrocele - fluid filled sack, not an emergency but get GP to check out)
Checked with DH(dr) and he says pain is warning sign of anything more serious , testicular torsion is excruciating and you'd have already rushed him off to a&e if that was the case
Pain free wait and see GP, will probably just watch & monitor it til it goes down
DS has a referral to paediatric surgery as his is interfering with weeingBlush

peanutbutterkid · 15/06/2011 20:30

Any news? Out of hours GP is good idea.

Original poster
joshandjamie · 15/06/2011 21:08

hi all

Thanks for your advice. Spoke to NHS Direct. Because there is no pain, redness or any other symptoms, we agreed that it could wait till morning to see the GP. But I will check him again later this evening and see how it's looking. Wonkylegs - I tried the torch trick but couldn't really see any glowing - just not sure I was looking for the right thing.

It looks like a swelling above his testicle in the scrotum sack - so perhaps it is a fluid filled sack.

He really was rights as rain except for this large bulge. Very odd. Will report back tomorrow if it has worsened or if the doc has anything to say

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 15/06/2011 21:47

I'm sure it's fine, it is kind of difficult to see the torch thing sometimes -sons had his for wks now (my handy house dr DH was on hand to show me....but usefully said "I only know how to diagnose then not what you do with them, I do hearts !)
Best thing I've learnt from him is to go with your gut.... If he'd been screaming in pain / deathly pale / unconscious you wouldn't have hesitated to rush him straight in, otherwise ask ask ask until you have an answer you are happy with
Let us know how you get on Smile, hope he's ok ....my DS has just spent weeks telling everybody he's going to hospital because he has "too big a winky" Blush

Original poster
joshandjamie · 16/06/2011 11:55

update on this: took my son to the doc. He has a hernia which he needs to have operated on. Not urgent but to be fixed. So very pleased I took him in. Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 16/06/2011 16:28

Glad you know now what it is, hope it's not too horrible to get sorted. I always panic a bit with boys bits as I'm never quite sure what's normal for little boysBlush
I'm guessing your DS is a little old for bribery to be brave with a new Cars character (is making my son actually excited about seeing the surgeon) but I'm sure a bit of tlc and suitable treating will mean that you'll be more worried than he is by the time it's over Wink
Good luck and hope he's sorted soon

Original poster
joshandjamie · 16/06/2011 20:45

Thanks wonky legs. I'm sure there'll be treats in the offing. :)

OP posts:
clayre · 16/06/2011 20:56

Aww good to know its nothing serious, my ds lost a testicle as a baby and now we have to be very overly cautious with anything testice related.

Mabelface · 17/06/2011 12:03

One of my boys had this at 3 months old. He didn't have much pain at all after the op and what pain he did have was dealt with via paracetamol.

Original poster
joshandjamie · 17/06/2011 12:12

good to know madlizzy. thanks

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page