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General health

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Original poster

6 month old DS penis ballooning when weeing

17 replies

llaregguBOO · 20/10/2009 13:02

That's about it, really. He seems very well in himself, with plenty of wet nappies, feeding well etc. He's also very happy.

In the bath earlier I noticed his penis ballooning when he weed. His penis is a lot smaller than I remember DS1's being but I guess that kind of variation is normal. However I suspect the ballooning thing isn't.

I rang the HV and she recommended calling the GP but they are shut until this afternoon and now I'm worried and really don't want to google because that way madness lies.

Any experience?

OP posts:

MatNanPlus · 20/10/2009 13:06

Sounds like the opening in the foreskin is a bit small of offset so urine collects in it before finding it's way out, sometimes it can increase the chance of UTI's.

Call the gp when they open and ask for an appt.

Iklboo · 20/10/2009 13:06

Sounds like his foreskin is too tight. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as it's open. It doesn't sound so serious that it can't wait until tomorrow but if you're really worried phone NHS Direct or an Out of Hours service

Original poster

llaregguBOO · 20/10/2009 13:28

Oh thank you both. I'm waiting to call back the surgery when they re-open for lunch. It doesn't sound too horrific then?

OP posts:

MatNanPlus · 20/10/2009 13:29

No, but does need looking in too

Iklboo · 20/10/2009 13:32

GP might refer you to a specialist to advise on a medical circumcision. DS is a bit 'tight' (doesn't balloon though) and the specialist prescribed Betnovate cream (a mild steroid cream used in eczema) which can help to thin the skin and help it stretch back

toolly · 20/10/2009 13:35

Yep, DS (5) foreskin is very tight and used to balloon. Went to the GP and was told to try and loosen it in the bath by retracting it. (Not so much that it hurts.) If it gets too painful and its unable to function as nature intended I'll guess DS will opt for a circumcision, but at the moment I am just encouraging him to retract it himself in the bath every night.

Original poster

llaregguBOO · 20/10/2009 13:41

Crikey.

He doesn't seem to be in pain, he is a very cheerful little chap but then he is only 6 months.

When did you notice this in your DS?

OP posts:

Iklboo · 20/10/2009 13:47

I didn't but I have no brothers and ex-p was circumcised so I had no (ahem) experience of foreskins. DH noticed DS's seemed a little tight.
We mentioned it to GP when we took DS for another matter and he made the referral. The specialist said to use the cream and they'd keep monitoring it as he grows older. As long as he isn't getting any infections they're OK to leave it for now. But if he starts getting infections/inflammation I suspect they'll make my little cavalier a roundhead

Furball · 20/10/2009 14:07

I've copied and pasted this -

Ballooning of the foreskin while urinating can be a normal phase of development during childhood. It is not an indication for circumcision. Ballooning is a temporary phenomenon that arises when the foreskin begins to separate from the glans. It speeds the process of separation and disappears when the process is complete.

HTH

Original poster

llaregguBOO · 20/10/2009 14:09

Thanks all. The duty GP rang me back and basically said that it will probably correct itself over time and to keep an eye out for a change in the flow of his urine. She also advised keeping the area as clean as possible but not to pull back the foreskin. So sounds much as you've all posted, thanks mumsnet!

OP posts:

Iklboo · 20/10/2009 14:09

But isn't 6 months too young for the foreskin to be separating from the glans? (curious, not questioning the post)

Furball · 20/10/2009 17:33

don't think so - I think these thing happen when they happen.

LeninGhoul · 21/10/2009 08:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheBlairSnitchProject · 21/10/2009 08:13

My DS's foreskin used to balloon when he peed. He's 2 now and I can't remember the last time it did it.

He has no issues as far as I can tell with it now and it never bothered him when he was teeny either.

I never even thought to call the GP when it happened to DS to be honest DH didn't seem worried and I had no idea what baby boys penises were supposed to do - they really should do some kind of course for Mums of boys! - so it never occured to me that it might be wrong.

I would say as long as it's not red or sore, it's fine.

ABetaDad · 21/10/2009 08:21

llaregguBOO - when your DS get a bit older it is likely he wil get balanitis

This is a repeated infection under the foreskin and he will either have to have the opening stretched or a circumcision. It may correct itself but may well not. It is due to an unusually small opening in the foreskin that causes urine to not flow out properly (hence the ballooning) and the trapped urine contains sugar and other nutrients that allows bacteria to grow there.

DS2 had it and was circumcised at age 6 which has completely cured it. There are less drastic treatments such stretching or simple incision but in severe cases a circumcision is he only option.

serenity · 21/10/2009 08:23

DS1 used to get this as a baby. He also used to get quite sore - we had to be very very careful to keep his foreskin and penis clean (rinsing with water after he had a wee for example). The main problem was that his foreskin was quite tight. It did correct itself over time though.

lizmcfizz · 22/10/2009 21:51

My six month old has exactly the same (ballooning) Seems fine in himself and very happy. Went to the docs and he said he would need to get a second opinion. My DH and my Dad are 'roundheads' - maybe this is hereditary! I will keep an eye on it.

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