Health Forums

Posted: 29 October 2006 at 7:58pm | IP Logged

I've had lots of conversations with doctors about this!

Two of my three have had infections under the foreskin, but the only thing that confuses me slightly is that my GP (and the GP we saw on holiday with Noah when he got one) both have led me to believe that this is a perfectly common occurrence in boys, and unless they get them frequently or particularly badly, then it's nothing to worry about.

Just like some women get thrush for no particular reason, so boys can get infections under their foreskins for no particular reason. There are two types, though, a thrush like fungal one (which is usually treated by cream) and a bacterial one, which sometimes needs antibiotics. depending how bad it is. At a young age their foreskin SHOULD NOT be pulled back, even to try and clean it, as this will make matters worse, and certainly much more sore.

Boys simply playing with their bits and pieces will not cause an infection, unless they have really disgustingly filthy fingers and are poking the ends of their willies - something I'm fairly certain can't happen that often! One of Noah's was probably caused because we were on holiday, spending all day at the beach and he might have got a bit of sand under there. Like Dizie said, damp, warm conditions are ideal for these kind of things.

Similar precautions to the women's anti-thrush ones can be taken to avoid this as much as possible. Avoid tight pants in older children, and make sure they're cotton, leave nappy free if possible for younger ones. Don't use highly perfumed bubble bath, or anything chemical-y on the penis itself. A bath in plain warm water, where the foreskin is simply eased back to the position it will easily go to (this won't be far at all) to cleanse it.

Basically, if the end looks redder than normal, there's any swelling, or if any pus is coming out of the end, then a trip to the GP is in order.

I hope poor Fred's feeling much better now!

Posted: 29 October 2006 at 8:03pm | IP Logged

Taylor's is sore, but thats cause the skin is to tight. The consultant has given us a cream to put on twice a day for 4 months and then re assess. I hope it works as i really don't wanna put him through an operation.

Snib... i don't think it's supposed to go back at liam's age, could be wrong tho as taylor's never has.

Glad fred is on the mend, im guessing it is really painfull.