Penis-Scrotum Symptoms-Child

When To Call

Go to ER Now

• Not circumcised, and foreskin pulled back and became stuck on head of penis
• Can't pass urine or can only pass a few drops

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Scrotum is painful or swollen
• Scrotum changes to a blue or red color
• Severe pain
• Swollen foreskin (not circumcised)
• Pain or burning when passing urine and fever
• Red rash or red foreskin with fever
• Could have been caused by sexual abuse
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Pus or bloody discharge from end of penis
• Pus from end of foreskin (not circumcised)
• Pain or burning when passing urine, but no fever
• Rash is painful
• Looks infected (such as draining sore, spreading redness) without fever
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Rash or itching lasts 3 or more days, using this care advice
• Small lump or warts
• All other penis or scrotum symptoms. Exception: mild rash for less than 3 days.
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Mild rash or itching of penis or scrotum present less than 3 days
• Purple head of the penis and healthy child. Reason: this is a normal color.
• Questions about smegma (whitish material) under the foreskin
• Questions about erections in young children

Care Advice

Mild Rash or Itching of Penis or Scrotum - Treatment

What You Should Know About Mild Penis or Scrotal Symptoms:

• Rashes can be caused by skin irritants. Hand-to-penis contact is normal when passing urine. Therefore, the rash is most likely from an irritant that was on the hands.
• Examples are a plant (such as an evergreen) or chemicals (such as bug repellents). Fiberglass, pet saliva or even food can also be irritants.
• Most small rashes can be treated at home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Clean the Area:

• Wash the area once with soap to remove any irritants.

Steroid Cream for Itching:

• For itchy rashes, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Do this 2 times per day for a few days.

What to Expect:

• Mild rashes from irritants should go away in 1 to 2 days with treatment.
• Severe swelling and redness may take a week to resolve.

Prevention of Recurrent Symptoms:

• Teach your son to wash his hands if they are dirty.
• Have him wash his hands before touching his penis.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Rash spreads or gets worse
• Rash lasts more than 3 days
• Fever occurs
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Smegma Questions

Smegma - General Information:

• Smegma is the small pieces of whitish material found under the foreskin. It can build up under the foreskin. This happens if the foreskin is not pulled back and cleaned regularly. See Foreskin Care Questions care guide.
• Smegma also can occur before the foreskin becomes retractable. It lies under the foreskin that is still stuck to the head of the penis. It can't be removed.
• Smegma is made up of dead skin cells. These cells are shed from the lining of the foreskin and the penis. It becomes trapped under the foreskin.
• Smegma is normal and harmless. It is not a sign of an infection. It is produced in small amounts throughout life.

Smegma Before Age 1 Year:

• Sometimes, smegma can be seen through the foreskin. It looks like small whitish lumps.
• If it lies beyond the level of foreskin retraction, it should be left alone.
• Wait until normal separation exposes it.
• During the first year of life, do not make any attempts at foreskin retraction.

Erection Questions

Normal Erections

• Erections in boys can occur at any age. They start in the newborn period.
• They tell us the nerves to the penis are working.
• In young boys, some are caused by a full bladder. Most occur without a clear reason.
• In teens, frequent erections start in puberty.
• Normal erections should not cause any pain.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Erection lasts over 1 hour
• Erection becomes painful

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