[k10]

My DS1 (nearly 4) has had recurring uti's and we've now been referred to a surgeon. He was retracting his foreskin late last year with no problem ... but a lot and it became inflamed and we had to use cream to treat it. As it healed the foreskin seemed to tighten and now he doesn't want to try to retract it as he says it hurts. He's had 2 uti's in a month, both involved a course of antiobiotics. Out GP agrees that the foreskin seems a bit tighter than normal (he is weeing off to one side and there is ballooning in his penis when he wees) and the uti's may be linked to this as it is not retracting sufficiently for cleaning.

So we are off to see a surgeon ... does this mean we are looking at circumcision

If it has to be done because if this health reason, I accept it ... but it will be a traumatic experience for him

[melaine]

My son has just had a very painful experience with his foreskin (it got very tight, had a lot of ballooning but the worst part was a week where he was in extreme pain when urinating. He was holding on until he physically couldn't hold on and then screaming, throwing himself on the floor and holding himself - awful to watch).

Anyway, I did a LOT of reading about the issue and the consensus seemed to be to try a course of steroid cream to thin the skin which will allow the opening to widen. I'd ask about that before looking at surgery.

HOwever, it is quite normal for a 4 year old not to be able to retract his foreskin. and until it naturally retracts it does not need to be retracted for hygiene.


I thought this was an interesting read on the topic of ballooning - there are links to other topics as well. http://www.drmomma.org/2011/06/ballooning-...tact-child.html

This post has been edited by melaine: 14/02/2013, 02:47 PM

[TwiceThe Woman]

Our youngest son (we have 3) developed recourring uti's, and the 5 of them had occasional ones I happened to bump into a friend who was a M&CHN who told me to just try bathing him in clear water and she added "Do NOT add bubble bath!" rather vehemently, then to "see how it goes..."
Apparently the SLS (the lathering agent) even when diluted, is astringent to skin - especially on mucous membranes and is used to de-grease engine floors.

BEST ADVICE EVER! Worked a treat!
Not only did his UTI's "disappear" but his mild eczema cleared up very quickly**

** Interesting to not that both returned after a sleep over when he was put in a bubble bath again
(I had forgotten to mention to sleepover Mum. So, that stuff got banned from our house. No UTI's for them - or me, since.)

It may not work for your DS, but it's work a shot. All the best.

[k10]

Thanks PP's Will stop the bubble bath and see hoe that goes. I'll also do some more reading before we see the surgeon ... just worried that in being referred straight to a surgeon it will be straight to circumcision.

[k10]

Well the surgeon has recommended circumcision. He was very nice and knowledgeable(as a specialist should be!) He has said that we can wait and see what happens but if the uti's keep occurring we need to act now.

The ultrasounds showed that DS's kidneys are clear which is good and suggests the infection is coming from his foreskin. The main concern is that there is some scarring from the retracting DS did last year which is causing the tightness now ... and creams will not help that.

DH wants to go straight to circumcision now. I want to try a cream that I read about in another thread. But if he gets another uti I think we will have to consider the surgery as I don't want to risk the health of his kidneys

[LJandAJ]

How long is the wait list for surgery? He could always be put on the list whilst you wait and see how he goes and taken off later on if you dont think he needs it.

This post has been edited by LJandAJ: 26/02/2013, 09:43 PM