
How Can Swelling And Red Rashes Around The Penis Be Treated?

Question: Hello my son (2yo) has what appears to be dead skin covering the hole of his urethra. He was unable to pee because of it this morning. A few days ago he was playing with his penis (like usual for 2 yo boys) but I guess he was overly rough with it and it got pretty red. The next day when we took off his overnight diaper the entire head of his penis was bright red and swollen. It looked raw so I thought between him irritating it and then being in a wet diaper overnight it was just a very bad diaper rash. I treated with aquaphor and antibiotic ointment the redness and swelling went away and he said it didn't hurt anymore but he had dead /peeling skin all over the head of his penis and this morning he had the urethra blockage and we had to "scrub" the hole with a q tip so he could pee. Is this thrush or an infection? How can we take care of this for my poor boy?
Brief Answer:
Please give details and post actual photographs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query about your 2 year old son.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
This looks to be balanoposthitis although this is rare in a 2 year old child.
I would advise you the following:
Get urine test done as there can be an urinary tract infection.
If there is any chance of infection, you need to get him started on an antibiotic.
Clean the area 2-4 times a day with Liquid Povidone Iodine.
Please post clear and focused photos for me to assist you better as these sometimes give on-the-spot diagnosis.
Please give details and post actual photographs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query about your 2 year old son.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
This looks to be balanoposthitis although this is rare in a 2 year old child.
I would advise you the following:
Get urine test done as there can be an urinary tract infection.
If there is any chance of infection, you need to get him started on an antibiotic.
Clean the area 2-4 times a day with Liquid Povidone Iodine.
Please post clear and focused photos for me to assist you better as these sometimes give on-the-spot diagnosis.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


My son is circumcised so I do not believe it is balanoposthitis either... And I'm sorry but I am not comfortable posting photos of my sons penis online (I'm sure you can understand my concern in doing that). His penis is not red, the redness was gone after a full day of applying ointment. The skin on his penis is peeling like skin does after a sunburn and some of the dead skin is covering the opening to the urethra. I will try the iodine and check back with you in a couple of days. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
As discussed
Detailed Answer:
Okay, I can understand.
I hope you could remove all the dead skin covering the urethra so that urination should not be a problem.
You may continue with antibiotic ointment as this will allow wetness to the healing area.
Avoid diaper.
Give as much liquids as possible as this allows better urination and reduces chance of infection.
Surely, waiting for your feedback.
As discussed
Detailed Answer:
Okay, I can understand.
I hope you could remove all the dead skin covering the urethra so that urination should not be a problem.
You may continue with antibiotic ointment as this will allow wetness to the healing area.
Avoid diaper.
Give as much liquids as possible as this allows better urination and reduces chance of infection.
Surely, waiting for your feedback.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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