How can I stop my 7yo from repeatedly getting sore willy/balanitis?

[PossumMama]

My 7yo is off school AGAIN because his willy is swollen, red and sore. He's had this several times since over the last 3 years, but this is now the third time in about 8 weeks.
We're dutifully applying the Dr's anti fungal cream, but I'm concerned that it's coming back every few weeks. (I made sure he applied it for a couple of days after it stopped hurting last time, hoping that would see off the problem)
Before I drag DS and his sister back to the Dr, I thought I'd consult Wise Old Mumsnet and see if anyone had some sensible advice from experience.
Not having a willy myself I feel bereft of good advice and DH just shrugs his shoulders

I can't help with advice on this, but you might want to repost this in the Children's Health section, you will get a better response

If it's a recurrent problem you must see the Dr as you can end up with scar tissue making the foreskin tight. Also it can be bacterial or fungal so fungal cream might be ineffective. Steroid cream (mild) can also help with inflammation.
If it continues he may need to be considered for circumcision.
Sorry he's going through this.

My son had this, and the doctor said to make sure willy is kept clean, he told ds to wipe off any liquid with some toilet paper each time he has been to the toilet. Be scrupulously clean, shower regularly using soap free soap on his willy, like ph45, if anything. It cleared up.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I'll check out Children's Health; book to see the Dr; and remind DS to wipe his willy properly.
It's so hard when I don't understand the mechanics so to speak.

Have you pulled or he pulled his foreskin back?

We had this when my ds was a baby and 3 and 4. We saw a lovely consultant who had 4 sons who told us to pull it back . My ds does it every other day in shower now. Always loads of gunk under there. Sorry tmi. He said, the consultant, that my ds should pull it as he would know limits. Xx

Sorry if is probably a stupid idea. Could he dip it in a mild disinfectant, like saline water or TCP, several times a day? I'd be tempted to try.

Sorry but to lighten the tone. He needs a "penis breaker" to dip it in with the TCP!