Balanitis - 2yo in lots of pain when weeing

[catsandkid]

My almost 3YO DS is having a rough time of it. A week ago today he screamed when going for a wee so we promptly got him seen by GP. His willy was a bit swollen (not too red, but a bit discoloured) and DS said it was sore, plus it is very painful when he pees. GP diagnosed balanitis (essentially an infection of some sort in the penis under the foreskin) and prescribed antifungal cream.

Few days later, no relief at all for DS. Back to GP on advice of 111 who put him on oral antibiotics (Flucloxacillin) for 7 days and said should clear up in a few days max. Also told to use a hydrocortisone cream for swelling twice a day.

3 days later, no relief at all. By this point, DS is now avoiding going to the toilet and holds wee until he wets himself - he was fully toilet trained before this. He is still in lots of pain when weeing and just before. Also still complaining that its sore. Saw an out of hours GP who said to keep on with steroid, but prescribed a slightly more potent one than hydrocortisone. Said DS's foreskin is v tight due to the inflammation from infection and that's probably causing the pain now. Didn't seem overly concerned.

My question - everywhere I read seems to suggest balanitis is a simple, short infection that clears up super fast. Is it normal that my son is still inflamed/swollen and in pain when urinating? Will it die down eventually? Should it really still be hurting to wee 8 days later?

We've been to so many bloody GPs at this point, and none seem bothered. As you know, its a nightmare getting an appointment at the best of times so its causing a lot of stress. Poor DS is getting really freaked out about weeing and pooing now and it just feels like its not improving at all.

DS was totally fine before this. Never moaned about sore willy or had any issues with weeing.

Anyone had similar?

My son had this when he was 1 and it did only last a few days. I read to spray an antiseptic spray on his willy and it seemed to eventually do the trick. I had to get it diagnosed privately though because the doctor we saw was absolutely useless. I would get a private GP appointment, although expensive, because it sounds like it’s lingering.

No it should not be hurting that bad after so many days. Can they prescribe him some Instillagel to use as a topical anaesthetic for the area?

My son had balanitis as a toddler twice, the first time did last about a week or slightly more, the second time only lasted about 4 days - both with the same treatment. He did go on to need a pediatric referral as GP was concerned with how tight his foreskin was after even when the pain ended. We saw a consultant who advised some at-home "strategies" which we still do to this day with him as a 9yr old. My husband needed a circumcision at 18yrs old so we're trying to avoid that. Things seem to be okay for now but we will need to keep an eye on the situation when puberty begins.

Both my sons have had it and both improved quickly once cream was given.