what (if anything) could be up with DS's penis? (age 3)

[suwoo]

DS who is 3.6 and cries at the drop of a hat, has been screaming complaining that his winky hurts. I work evenings so DH bathed him last night which seemed to make it worse. He was consoled with some bepanthan. He slept with me last night as he was whinging in his sleep and putting his hand on his nappy in his sleep, so it was obviously bothering him.

This morning, the shaft looks a tiny bit puffy/swollen/thick and a bit pinky. I don't think he has a problem with a tight foreskin as he has an abundance of skin at the end

Could it be something as simple as his pants being a bit tight?

Thanks

Ooh no capital W. Sorry to offend your eyes.

bump

Sorry suwoo I don't have any ideas but perhaps you could ring your gp?

It sounds like an infection/inflammation. You need to pop him to the GP and get him checked.

It sounds like a bit of soreness, nothing more.

It should pass in a couple of days - meanwhile stop using any soap or bubble bath, usually this is the underlying cause (no idea why but GP told us and it saved ds from being referred for circumcision )

If no better by later/tomorrow, ask gp for some ointment x

Littlemad had balanitus at about that age - perfectly normal and easily cleared up with a trip o the GP.

However he also has a habit of screaming that something or other hurts if he's feeling aggrieved about something else (ie Mummy my tongue is hurty if he doesn't want his shoes on...)

If the redness doesn't reduce today pop into the GP but basically leave it alone as much as possible.

He's started screaming again, so I have had a look. It stinks! . He had a bath last night (no bubble bath) so it shouldn't smell should it. It is more pinky/purply now, but seemingly on one side and underneath. Could it be a thrush type of thing?

Anyway, will ring the GP.

Thanks all.

Was also going to suggest Balanitus

It does Sound like balanatis - drop into the GP and get some antib's. littlemad was much recovered within about 6 hours.
Hope he's feeling better soon

Have googled balanitus and agree it does sound like that. Have rang school to keep him off this aft and will ring Docs at 1.30 to make an appointment this aft. Bless him.

Don't worry, antibiotics not usually necessary...it tends to clear up on its own but deffo go to GP just to check.

Bubble bath is stil my best bet though! We have outlawed it here since ds1 was about 4, and ds2 has never had a sore willy.

We don't own bubble bath Margaret.

shucks

Well, we've been to the Dr's. It seemed to get worse during the day and you could see the 'purple' travelling down the shaft. He has been wearing his pajama bottoms all day for comfort and when the Dr pulled them down, it looked so grim . It had worsened in the 45 mins or so since I'd last looked. She confirmed that it was balinitis and he has got cream and anti-biotics. It is starting to weep now.

He is just getting into a lukewarm bath.

Oh that sounds so horrid, I am really sorry

I hope it starts to get better very quickly. Well done for getting it sorted out.

poor DS

It does look grim but will be much better by tomorrow.

I was horrified when littlemad had it cos it looked so awful but really was amazed by how quickly it improved.

Hope you can relax after his bedtime.

BTW, it does 'just happen' it's nothing you've done.

He looks like one of those adverts for STI's, bless him. The Dr did say that I should be pulling his foreskin back and washing underneath it. I thought these days we were advised to be leaving it alone? She said because he does have a lot of loose skin at the end (a good 1/2 cm) that, that can encourage things to fester in there. Have just bathed both boys and ensured I gave ds2 a good clean under there.

hmm littlemad is circumcised so I've no advice for you there I'm afraid, I just tend to leave him alone there apart from a general wash.

hello. Up to 3yrs (approx) the foreskin is attached and so shouldn't be forced back.

However as boys discover they have an inbuilt play toy they naturally loosen the foreskin so that it can retract back.

It is recommended that it is then GENTLY retracted back to allow cleaning.