Little boy parts skin problems, can you help!

[mom2grace]

DS is 6, and where his parts rest together gets very red and irritated. We have been using baby powder to help keep the area dry, but it's not solving the problem, just maintaining it.

Can anyone give advice on another plan? I would go to the dr, but it's not really a priority since I know our Dr is dealing with truly sick kids!

Thanks!

 

[cmskok]

We have been trying neosporin....working okay..but I made an appointment with a urologist! too bad I cannot get in until January 5th!!!

Good Luck!

 

[pakaramom]

My son gets that and was told it's Jock Itch The pedi said to use athlete's foot medicine and it usually clears up in a few days. Not sure it this is what your son has, but we were told it's fairly common.

Good luck!

 

[nmmom95]

Try Balmex.

 

[dislal]

I would try desitin (diaper rash cream)

 

[acourtwdw]

Gold bond medicated powder usually does the trick (or so I've been told)

 

[Mrs D]

I would try Lotrimin (jock itch/athletes foot cream). DS4 got really red on his dingdong (the best word I could think of since the filter didn't like the real name) last year. Ped said to get OTC lotrimin extra strength and to put it on twice a day. It cleared it up in a few days. Ped directed us to use a full week.

You could always call the Dr without needing to do an office visit.

 

[poohguys]

What kind of underpants is your son wearing? When my DS was wearing the boxer breifs he had that problem. Switched to regular breifs and problem went away. I would try desitin or a&d ointment to help clear it up.

 

[Hannathy]

I would try Lotrimin (jock itch/athletes foot cream). DS4 got really red on his dingdong (the best word I could think of since the filter didn't like the real name) last year. Ped said to get OTC lotrimin extra strength and to put it on twice a day. It cleared it up in a few days. Ped directed us to use a full week.

I second this! also another poster said the same thing. It is a fungus and using the other stuff will soothe the irritation but won't get rid of the real problem. My Ds actually had this as a baby and this is what worked and if it is a fungus this will start helping incredibly fast but do use it for several days after to make sure it is completely gone (killed) probably a week is a good idea.

 

[pennymom]

My DS7 occasionally gets the same thing and for him it is usually an eczema flare. We have a prescription hydrocortisone cream that takes care of it in a few days.

 

[RMulieri]

If the creams are working ,then it may just be irritation,, BUT It sounds like jock itch, and that is fungal in nature .DO not USE other creams like Cortisone , or diaper cream on jock itch.It can make a fungal rash WORSE.

 

[dizneechic]

Aside from creams and powders, what we have found that helps the most is just teaching him to point "it" up anytime he pulls up his undies. My ds6 had this problem as well for several months, we maintained with powder which was fine (he even could apply by himself) but after meeting with his pedi about the issue, it was the simplest solution - and it worked.

 

[mom2grace]

Aside from creams and powders, what we have found that helps the most is just teaching him to point "it" up anytime he pulls up his undies. My ds6 had this problem as well for several months, we maintained with powder which was fine (he even could apply by himself) but after meeting with his pedi about the issue, it was the simplest solution - and it worked.

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. I am going to try this first, actually daddy can help here.

To answer some other questions, he wears both briefs and what I would decribe as boxer briefs (they are tighter than regular boxers).

I really don't think it's a fungal infection yet, my gut at this point is that it's red/moist from sticking together. Maybe too the transition from shorts to long pants, tighter clothes?

Thanks!

 

[fireflymedic]

Does he take bubble baths? If yes make sure he is showering off with clean/plain water real good (down there). Any soap resadue is going to make skin eratated.

 

[bas71873]

Aside from creams and powders, what we have found that helps the most is just teaching him to point "it" up anytime he pulls up his undies. My ds6 had this problem as well for several months, we maintained with powder which was fine (he even could apply by himself) but after meeting with his pedi about the issue, it was the simplest solution - and it worked.

OMG I'm so glad I have a girl (although I'm sure mothers of boys feel the same way when girl problems arise)......pointing "it" up about made me fall off the couch with laughter!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. I am going to try this first, actually daddy can help here.

To answer some other questions, he wears both briefs and what I would decribe as boxer briefs (they are tighter than regular boxers).

I really don't think it's a fungal infection yet, my gut at this point is that it's red/moist from sticking together. Maybe too the transition from shorts to long pants, tighter clothes?

Thanks!

Dark, warm and moist, just where a fungus would like to grow, try the lotrimin. Kids can pick up things that we really associate with adults, like jock itch and athletes foot pretty easily(same fungus family as ringworm, which is not really a worm)

 

[tricia]

My son has always 'chafed' in that region, when the weather is really warm, or after lots of running, walking or excercise. We have tried changing types of underwear, and the baby powder, but nothing was working really well. I have now bought him some Sports Balm, or Body Glide and he uses that before exercise, or a day of walking at WDW and it has been working well.

 

[Macdonx]

You've got lots of suggestions here, but really, since it could be anything from irritation to fungus to infection, you should really go see the doc so you know that what you're treating him with is appropriate.

Try calling first - even the nurses might be able to ask you a few questions to get a more definite diagnosis than all of the people here - and it can keep you out of the flu-filled office.

Honest, we're *trying* to be helpful, but you only need one solution - the right one.
Good luck.

 

[cmaee]

My DS(7) had this problem before and I agree with the pp's who said to use jock itch/anti-fungal cream...it cleared his problem up quickly.

 

[nursegirl]

All previous suggestions are great - and the nurse/doctor would probably suggest the same things. It can't hurt to call the office and speak to the nurse, just so they can have a notation. If it doesn't clear up with any of the suggested creams, etc. then you could go in so the Dr. could have a look. One other suggestion I would give (and it's going to sound weird!) is to let the area "air out" before you put any cream on.

I love that we can ask these questions on this board!