What causes infection in a child's genitals?
Patient: my 3 year old son surely got an infection as he he wet his pants twice today (which he never does) keep scratching and at in the tub tonight he did not want me to wash his privates, say it is sore. Must I just leave it, or try to clean it, put a cream on? and what cream? Doctor: Hello! I read your query very carefully and I understand your problem. Your son might have a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract: kidney, ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder and urethra(the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). These infections may occur often around age of 3, as children begin toilet training. Urinary tract infections are usually easy to treat, but if left untreated they can cause complications. I suggest you to call your son's doctor for an appointment in order to confirm the diagnosis and begin the right treatment, if needed. Till your appointment, I suggest you to give plenty of fluids to your son (drinking more makes your child urinate more frequently by flushing the bacteria out of the urinary tract), consider offering your son small amounts of cranberry juice (it is a popular home remedy that may help recovering from urinary tract infections). Keep your son's genital area clean to prevent bacteria from entering through the urethra. I suggest you to call your son's doctor immediately if your son develops new symptoms like: pain during urination and pain in pelvic area, fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit, vomiting and blood in urine.I hope I answered your question. I wish your son will get better soon!Best regards!