Hurts when toddler pees

[WineInTheWillows]

DD (2.5) is reporting that it hurts when she pees. She's been crying and refusing to pee, and has just held it until wetting, despite me giving calpol. I called the GP, who said she's not concerned because there is no fever or kidney/stomach pain but asked for a sample for a dip test, which came back negative. Her advice was to try and get DD to drink as much as possible.

What could be causing this? What should I do?

Is she red at all in the vulva area ? One of my girls used to get inflamed and settled with metanium ?
If she wakes at night could she have worms ?

I've tried the yellow metanium to no effect, but she has been waking at night, come to think of it. I'd not thought to check for worms- I'll Google how to spot them
Thanks for the suggestions.

How long has it been going on?

Not long, just started yesterday evening. Also, just checked some poo for worms < not envy. No sign of them, so that's good, I guess.

If not red I think maybe needs reassessing for a urine infection. My 3 year old had a confirmed UTI and had just stinging and frequency. I had to bribe her to wee because she tried to not wee. She had no pain or temp. Was seen in out of hours and antibiotics worked quickly

Sorry meant no pain in her tummy or back

@FelicityBennett

If not red I think maybe needs reassessing for a urine infection. My 3 year old had a confirmed UTI and had just stinging and frequency. I had to bribe her to wee because she tried to not wee. She had no pain or temp. Was seen in out of hours and antibiotics worked quickly

See, this is what I'm wondering. The dip test came back negative, but I'm aware that's no guarantee there's no UTI.

Please go back and get her tested again as a matter of urgency. I have had the test show negative in the early stages of a UTI. I've also held off taking my 5 year old DD to the GP for 24 hours to see if an apparent UTI (same symptoms as your DD) would clear up with calpol and drinking plenty. I was roundly scolded by the GP for waiting - they said it's really easy for very small children to get internal scarring from an untreated UTI. So not to scare you, but with that risk and the discomfort she's in, I would definitely ring again.

Thanks. I'll see if it still hurts her to pee this morning and call 111 if so- the GP is closed now it's the weekend. Probably for the best, as I swear this particular GP tries everything and anything to avoid prescribing stuff.

She did say she thought it was an early stage infection so there's nothing she can do about it unless she starts to get back/stomach ache! I've got a 24/7 online doctor subscription thing so might use that first.

Yes, I would seek further advice if it is still hurting. In the interim, cranberry juice might relieve it a bit.