Balanitis and thrush

[celandine]

This is really getting me down. DS, 1 yr, has had balanitis and bacterial infections in his nappy area for a few months now and it just won't go. Three courses of antibiotics later and we're been referred to a specialist and our doc has hinted that DS may need circumcision, which I'd MUCH rather not have done . The doc says it's not thrush but I'm convinced that's the underlying cause as I've only recently had it myself.

His willy looks quite sore and for the past week there's been a growing bright red patch on his scrotum, which I'm certain is thrush or some kind of bacteria and it actually looks like it's eating away at the skin . It also smells quite whiffy down there. None of this seems to bother him thankfully.

We use cloth but I've been keeping him bare-bummed for as much as I can (about 3-4 hours) each day and just clearing up after him, change him every 2 hours when he's in nappies, rinse nappies after every wash. This has helped but there's still clearly a cause for the bacteria to be there aside from the moistness. I give him live yoghurt every day with 1/2 capsule of acidophilus to compensate for the antibiotics. The only thing I haven't done is changed to disposables, which I'm now considering.

Is there anyone with any experience of this and (even better)any solutions?!!!

Hi Celandine,

Ds (2 next month) had recurrent balanitis last year over about 6 months, so I have much sympathy for you . He had various antibiotic creams and nothing oral until the last (worst) bout. By far the most effective treatment was actually an antibiotic eye-drop!

When we used a topical treatment, we used to very very gently pull back his foreskin and then dropper the stuff in the hole. Then it would naturally get sucked inside IYKWIM (dh kept going on about capillary action or something...).

The GPs (we saw 3) said the main problem was his very tight foreskin and that really gentle stretching would mean it would be easier to keep clean. But normally it's not advised to pull back boys' foreskins until they're a lot older (about 4) cos you might damage them. For us, it was a last resort to avoid the op. It's never come back, fingers crossed.

We also use cloth. Fleece liners are good for keeping bottoms drier. Silk liners are meant to be really good at preventing infection too - I'll have a google for you.

I think switching to disposables would only introduce more odd chemicals to your ds' already sensitive botty - I would avoid it - but if you do, go for a bleach/chemical/lotion free option like Moltex which are great.

Don't know much about thrush I'm afraid.

Silk liners and fleece liners are both on this page . hth

Thanks mudda. Our doc's never suggested anything like that, nor mentioned that ds has a tight foreskin (I I haven't noticed that he has). We're seeing the specialist on 14 Sept so I'll ask him them about it. If only I knew the cause I could more confidently tackle it. I'd do anything to avoid circumcision, though I guess if things don't improve it will be in Ds's best interests to do it.

Thanks for the links. We do use fleece liners already, but I may well get some silk ones as it says they have healing properties.

Sorry to ask such a personal question but did your son ever suffer from sore patches on his scrotum where the end of his willy touched? This is what is particularly concerning me at the moment, as if the infection has transferred onto it.

HI celandine, I'm afraid I've no experience of this but found these links which I'm hoping are helpful to you. Hoping the specialist can help you clear this up once and for all

link 1 - refers to fabric softeners and bubble bath

link 2 - I have heard about releasing the adhesions before in small boys rather than circumcision. Not sure how many doctors do this, but it seems to be getting more common.

link 3 - I remember coming across this site before when I was looking at Phimosis with regards to my ds.

Thanks Karen, very kind of you. I'm sure it;s candida linked as opposed to tight foreskin and one of your links suggests this as a common cause of balanitis.

Sorry celandine, missed the point!

Just found this which suggests creams containing
Nystatin (prescription)
Clotrimazole (OTC) (Lotrimin)
Miconazole (OTC)
Ketoconazole (Rx)
(OTC = over the counter)

Hope you can find something. I used normal canesten on ds a month or so ago when he got the nappy rash from hell and it cleared it up. Pharm advised to apply three times a day.

Thanks again. I am using some antibiotic cream which the doctor gave me a while ago cos it's got quite bad in the last few days. I don't like using it bencause I know it's just going to come back afterwards regardless and then I've dosed him up with even more antibiotcs in his short lifetime and it's no solution. However, can't do much else it seems. I really haven't a clue how to control this thing so can't wait until we see the consultant.

Hi, I hope you have resolved the issue but in case you haven't, and to anyone that maybe looking for a cure for balanitis, this is it:

The key is to wash with water (not soap) under the foreskin before bed and dab it dry. Then generously drip organic lavender oil undiluted under the foreskin and around the head of the penis. It might cause a slight tingle but works wonders as an anti fungal. All the best

I bloody well hope she has sorted it, as her DS will be university age by now!!