R.M. asks from Idaho Falls, ID on July 18, 2009
Question for Mommy's with Little Boys
This may sound silly.......but here it goes. I have a 4 1/2 year old who wore a swimsuit to play in the sprinklers. Of course he took his underwear off. About an hour later, he asked to change his clothes because "his peepee hurt." He did and then start complaining more that it hurt. I looked and under it was bright red, not hot but very sore. He said it didn't hurt before he put his swimsuit on......I am thinking it is just from sweat and rubbing on his suit? I put him in the tub, washed and dried him off and put some desitin on it but he says it still hurts. Again, not hot too touch, no fever, or red streaks.....any thoughts or solutions or just wait it out and keep it dry and from rubbing...Thank you much!
So What Happened?™
He is doing better this morning.......not as red and I will try some of the suggestions. Yes, I wondered about the netting in his swimsuit. Looks like I may have to go buy another one or let him wear his undies! Thank you ladies!
Featured Answers
A.C. answers from Colorado Springs on July 21, 2009
I'd try Desitin-the thick stuff-before he goes out to play in the water. My boys have never had that problem, but Desitin fixes hubby's chafing from 12-mile road marches, I don't see why it wouldn't fix some swimsuit chafing. Beforehand though, not after.
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B.L. answers from Billings on July 18, 2009
My oldest son has that same problem every summer. What I do is put him in the bathtub, and put some baking soda in there. I know it sounds silly, and your probably thinking what is that woman smoking. But if its is some kinda rash, and he is in that water long enough, it should clear up by the next day. Or you can do as I have done with all three of my kids, make it into a paste and put it on there. Works wonders.
1 mom found this helpful
J.Y. answers from Great Falls on July 19, 2009
Our little guy is only 3 weeks, but i asked my husband. He said the swimsuit was probably just rubbing on it. Hope he feels better! :)
C.T. answers from Denver on July 19, 2009
Hi R. - yup just sounds like an irritation issue - If the Desitin doesnt work, you might try an antibiotic ointment or vaseline - it may stay on better. You might need to apply it several times a day. You could even try applying a thick coat of vaseline to a cotton pad and then putting that into his underwear wear his peepee touches the fabric -not unlike what you may have done when he was a baby for his circumcision.
If it turns hot or shows any sign of infection, be sure to call your doc.
Poor guy!
P.G. answers from Salt Lake City on July 19, 2009
Your child may be allergic to something in the fabric that the suit is made from. Has he had problems in the past?
H.P. answers from Salt Lake City on July 19, 2009
I would recommend Gold Bond powder. It is medicated so it will help with the pain and it will keep his underwear from sticking and rubbing. That is what I use with my almost 4 year old when he complains in that area. Hope that helps!
S.S. answers from Denver on July 18, 2009
It definitely sounds like it could be from the friction caused by not wearing underwear. Was he running a lot? Did he stand in front of the sprinkler stream where it could hit his peepee area?
I would suggest putting some A&D Ointment on it to protect it from further discomfort, but he will probably have to withstand the pain for a few days until the friction burn heals. I hope he feels better soon.
Make it a GREAT weekend!
S.
K.H. answers from Denver on July 19, 2009
My 2-year-old had the same complaint recently. I decided it must have been the texture of the netting that lines his suit. When he wears a swim dipe he never complains... only that one time when I let him go without it. I'd make sure the lining is really soft and silky, rather than the more course netting. Good luck!
M.O. answers from Denver on July 19, 2009
Sounds like he may be sensitive to the lining material in the swimsuit. He may also be getting a heat rash. As crazy as it may sound let him go 'commando' at bedtime and see if it helps. Baking soda in the tub also seems to help. If it doesn't get better with just the Desitin add Mylanta and Anti-Fungal cream to the Desitin to make a paste and put it on the rash. It worked for my daughter when she was about that age and my grand babies.My boys sweat alot so I know what you are going through. It only gets worse as they get older. Thank goodness for all the great scented deoderants, soaps and shampoos for men (little men are 12 and 14). Hope this helps. Have a great rest of the summer. M.
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