| Foreskin problems | Foreskin problems | Foreskin problems | F | English | Urology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Penis | Penis | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Paraphimosis_MED_ILL_EN.png | 2019-05-16T04:00:00Z | | Cathy Daniels, RN, MS, ACNP;Sandra Oliver-Homewood, RN, MN;Alia Sunderji, MD | | | | 8.50000000000000 | 57.9000000000000 | 1170.00000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how to treat common foreskin problems and when to see a doctor.</p> | <p>The penis is attached to a sheath of skin called the foreskin. </p><p>Some children may develop foreskin problems. Many of these issues either go away on their own or with the help of prescription medicine. Proper
<a href="/Article?contentid=967&language=English">foreskin care</a> is the best way to prevent many of these issues.</p><p>Other foreskin problems, such as an accidental injury are more serious. These types of issues need treatment right away.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Adhesions can form along the tip of the penis (glans), as the foreskin naturally separates from it. These are normal, require no treatment and go away on their own.</li><li>Pus-like clumps called smegma can sometimes form as the foreskin naturally retracts. This is normal, requires no treatment and goes away on its own.</li><li>Zipper injuries are common and require emergency treatment.</li><li>In babies, a hair or thread may tightly twist around the penis, interfering with blood flow (hair tourniquet). This is serious and requires emergency treatment.</li><li>Some children may forget to unretract their foreskin, causing it to form a painful, tight ring around the penis (paraphimosis). Using anaesthetic cream and pain medicine, a doctor can help push the foreskin to its original position.</li><li>If your child experiences bleeding, irritation or white scarring of the foreskin, take them to see a doctor.</li></ul> | <h2>Adhesions and smegma</h2><p>As a child gets older, the foreskin naturally separates from the head of the penis (glans). As this happens, the following may occur.</p><ul><li>Parts of the foreskin may remain attached (adhesions). This is normal and does not need any treatment. The foreskin fully separates by the time a child reaches puberty. Until then, there may be temporary soreness or pain while urinating. This usually goes away after a day or two.</li><li>The foreskin naturally sheds, leaving small white or yellow clumps behind. These clumps are called smegma and may look like pus. The smegma eventually goes away on its own. There is no need for treatment.</li></ul><h2>Balanitis</h2><p>Balanitis is an infection which may cause the foreskin to become red, swollen and itchy. You may also notice a build-up of fluid and your child may experience pain while urinating. Proper foreskin care can prevent balanitis.</p><h3>Treating balanitis</h3><p>If the balanitis is mild, your child’s doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream, such as nystatin, clotrimazole or miconazole. If the infection is severe or keeps coming back, circumcision may be an option once the redness and swelling go away. Talk to your child's doctor to learn more. Good hygiene can also help prevent balanitis from coming back.</p><h2>Bacterial infection</h2><p>If there is a cut or sore on the foreskin, bacteria can enter the skin and cause an infection. The bacteriacan quickly spread along the entire foreskin. This can cause a bacterial infection called balanoposthitis. The penis and foreskin swell, become red and feel painful and very sensitive to the touch.</p><h3>Treating bacterial infection in the foreskin</h3><p>If your child has developed a bacterial infection, talk to your doctor about treatment. In most cases, bacterial infection inside the foreskin or penis can be treated using either:</p><ul><li>antibiotics by mouth or</li><li>topical antibiotics (antibiotic creams for the skin)</li></ul><p>Your child’s doctor may prescribe oral and topical antibiotics together.</p><p>In adolescents, other conditions may cause an infection. If your teen develops an infection or inflammation on their penis or foreskin, they should see a doctor.</p><p>To ease pain or discomfort, your child can sit in a warm bath with added bath salts (do not use bubble baths or perfumed soaps). They can also take pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If your child develops a fever, they should see a doctor.</p><h2>Zipper injury</h2><p>Your child may accidently injure their foreskin by getting it caught in the teeth of a zipper. Aside from being very painful, a zipper injury may damage the tip of the tube inside the penis through which urine flows, called the urethral meatus.</p><p>If a zipper injury happens, take your child to the emergency department right away. Trying to remove skin trapped in a stuck zipper may cause more injury. Leave it alone or cut the clothing around the zipper to make it easier to take them to the hospital.</p><h3>Treating a zipper injury</h3><p>Before detaching the zipper from the penis, your child's doctor may give your child some pain medicine. The doctor may inject a small amount of anaesthetic medicine at the base of the penis to numb it for a short time.</p><h2>Hair tourniquet</h2><p>In babies, a hair or thread may tightly twist around the penis, interfering with blood flow. This is called a hair tourniquet.</p><p>The hair or thread may appear as a thin line around the penis, and the affected area usually swells and reddens. Sometimes the hair or thread may be very difficult to see. If you notice swelling, discoloration or redness of the penis and suspect a hair tourniquet, take your baby to the hospital right away. If it is not dealt with right away, a hair tourniquet can damage nerves or blood vessels.</p><h3>Treating a hair tourniquet</h3><p>Your doctor will try to remove the tourniquet by applying a hair removal cream to the area. They may consult a urologist if the hair is deeply embedded in the skin. More serious cases may require surgery.</p><h2>Paraphimosis</h2><p>As a child gets older, their foreskin loosens and they are able to pull back (retract) the foreskin. They can also push the foreskin back to its original position (unretract), covering the head of the penis (glans).</p><p>Sometimes, a child may forget to unretract their foreskin. As a result, it becomes a tight band around the penis shaft. This is a condition called paraphimosis, which causes swelling and pain. Fluid can also build up around the area, causing further swelling.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Paraphimosis</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Paraphimosis_MED_ILL_EN.png" alt="Normal penis and penis with paraphimosis" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">The penis is covered by a ring of tissue called the foreskin. In a normal penis, the foreskin is loose and retractable to show the glans (head of the penis). In a penis with paraphimosis, the foreskin is so swollen and tight around the shaft that it cannot be unretracted to cover the glans.</figcaption> </figure>
<h3>Treating paraphimosis</h3><p>If your child develops paraphimosis, take them to the doctor or an emergency department right away. Paraphimosis rarely requires surgery, but only a doctor should unretract the foreskin.</p><p>Before starting, the doctor will apply an anaesthetic cream. They may also prescribe pain medicine to relieve any discomfort. As the swelling reduces, the doctor will gently unretract the foreskin. Most children will need pain management or even sedation for this procedure.</p><h2>Phimosis</h2><p>A related condition, called phimosis, occurs when children are unable to retract the foreskin. In newborns, the foreskin is usually not retractable. As your child gets older, the foreskin will slowly become easier to retract. The foreskin is usually retractable by late childhood or early adulthood. Children who are not experiencing any discomfort or symptoms do not need to be seen by a doctor, even if they cannot fully retract their foreskin.</p><p>Sometimes, children are unable to retract their foreskin due to scarring from a previous infection, trauma or inflammation. In these cases, your child should see a doctor. </p><p>Your child should also see a doctor if they experience:</p><ul><li>irritation or bleeding at the tip of the foreskin</li><li>a ring of white scarring at the tip of the foreskin</li><li>severe ballooning of the foreskin when urinating, requiring pressure to push the urine out(If your child has ballooning of the foreskin while urinating that resolves on its own, they do not need to be seen by a doctor</li><li>recurrent infections of the foreskin that require antibiotic treatment</li></ul><p>For information on treating phimosis, please visit the Health A-Z page on
<a href="/Article?contentid=889&language=English">Phimosis</a>.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | foreskin | foreskin | | | | Main | | |
| Mental health | Mental health | Mental health | M | English | Psychiatry | Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Conditions and diseases;Healthy living and prevention | Teen (13-18 years) | NA | | | | | | | | | | | | Landing Page (Overview) | Learning Hub | <p>Learn how to support your mental health and wellbeing and how to recognize and manage various mental health conditions, with multimedia resources including articles, animations and guided meditations.</p> | <p>Learn how to support your mental health and wellbeing and how to recognize and manage various mental health conditions, with multimedia resources including articles, animations and guided meditations.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/depression_psychotherapy.jpg | mentalhealth | mentalhealth | | | Learn how to support your teen’s mental health and wellbeing and how to recognize and manage various mental health conditions. | Teens | | |
| Regular eye exams for JIA | Regular eye exams for JIA | Regular eye exams for JIA | R | English | Rheumatology;Ophthalmology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Eyes | Skeletal system | Tests | Adult (19+) | NA | | 2017-01-31T05:00:00Z | | Jennifer Stinson RN-EC, PhD, CPNPLori Tucker, MDAdam Huber, MSc, MD, FRCPC | | | | 7.60000000000000 | 67.0000000000000 | 592.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>If your child has JIA, regular eye exams are very important for detecting early signs of eye inflammation. Learn what happens during an eye exam.</p> | <p>Regular eye exams for JIA are important as many children and teens with JIA are at risk for uveitis, which can lead to other eye conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>Eye exams are important as eye inflammation (uveitis) usually occurs without any eye symptoms until it is too late.</li>
<li>Eye inflammation can lead to cataracts and glaucoma.</li>
<li>Various, painless tests will be conducted during the eye exam.</li></ul> | <h2>Why are eye exams important?</h2><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=1057&language=English">Eye inflammation</a> is called iritis or uveitis. It is another key feature of JIA. There is a high risk (approximately 20%) of eye inflammation among young people with oligoarticular JIA. The risk is highest among young girls who test positive on a blood test called an antinuclear antibody (ANA). However, eye inflammation can still occur in other types of JIA and in those who test negative for ANA.</p><p>Most importantly, eye inflammation usually occurs without any eye symptoms until it is too late. Eye inflammation can lead to other eye conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma. A cataract is when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Glaucoma is high pressure in the eye, and it also has no early symptoms.</p><p>This is why having regular eye exams with an eye doctor is important if for children and teens who have JIA.</p><h2>How are eye exams done?</h2><p>First, someone will test your child's vision.</p><p>Next, the eye doctor might put numbing drops in the eyes followed by some other drops. These drops will temporarily dilate the pupils of the eyes, which means the pupils will be larger. It will take 20 to 40 minutes for the drops to take effect, at which time your child's vision will be quite blurry and sensitive to light. These drops will give the eye doctor a clear view of the inside of the eye.</p><p>Another part of the eye exam is called a slit lamp exam. The eye doctor will use a machine called a slit lamp to look at the front parts of the eye. The slit-lamp is a type of microscope. It gives off a blue light. It allows the eye doctor to see any inflammation cells floating in the eye.</p><p>The slit lamp can also help the doctor find other complications such as cataracts or glaucoma. If your child is being tested for glaucoma, they will receive another set of eye drops that allows the eye doctor to test the pressure in the eye.</p><p>Other methods to check eye pressure include a machine that squeezes a puff of air into the eye or using a small hand-held device that looks like a pen, which gently touches the eye. These are painless tests due to the numbing drops they will have already received.</p><p>The entire eye exam is completely painless. Once the exam is over, your child can go home, but they will still have large pupils and blurry vision from the drops. They may also be sensitive to bright light due to the enlargement of the pupils. The blurry vision will last six or more hours. The effect on your child's pupil will last about 24 hours. Bring sunglasses for your child to wear on the way home.</p><p>The recommended frequency of eye checkups will be based on the type of JIA your child has, how long they have had JIA and the presence or absence of autoantibodies.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/regular_eye_exams_for_JIA.jpg | | If your child has JIA, regular eye exams are very important for detecting early signs of eye inflammation. Learn what happens during an eye exam. | Main | | |
| Belly Bonanza | Belly Bonanza | Belly Bonanza | B | English | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/J4K_belly_Bonanza_promo.png | | | | | | | | | | | Kids Content | Kids | <p>Follow the adventures of Blueberry and Green Pea to help your child learn how food travels through their digestive system.</p>
| | | | <figure class="swf-asset-c-80">
<div class="akh-video">src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BU-tzxqU0CA"</div></figure><br> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Follow the adventures of Blueberry and Green Pea to help your child learn how food travels through their digestive system. | Kids | | belly-bonanza |
| Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) | Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) | Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) | V | English | Infectious Diseases;Gastrointestinal | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Stomach;Small Intestine;Large Intestine/Colon | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Abdominal pain;Diarrhea;Fever;Headache;Vomiting | | 2019-03-12T04:00:00Z | | Laurie Streitenberger, RN, BSc, CIC;Anne Matlow, MD, FRCPC;Natasha Collia, MD | | | | 10.0000000000000 | 48.1000000000000 | 861.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Viral gastroenteritis, often called "stomach flu," is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Learn the symptoms and treatment of viral gastroenteritis.</p> | <h2>What is viral gastroenteritis?</h2><p>Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis means the inflammation is caused by infection from a virus. It often causes <a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a> (throwing up), <a href="/Article?contentid=7&language=English">diarrhea</a> or both.</p><p>Viral gastroenteritis is often called "stomach flu," but it is not caused by the influenza virus. Viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis include rotaviruses, torovirus, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, and a group of Norwalk-like viruses.</p><h3>Viral gastroenteritis is NOT caused by any of the following, although the symptoms may be similar:</h3><ul><li>bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli </li><li>parasites such as Giardia </li><li>medications </li><li>other medical conditions </li></ul> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines, caused by a virus.</li><li>The main symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.</li><li>Diarrhea and vomiting can cause a loss of fluids, also called dehydration.</li><li>If dehydration is severe, patients may have to be given fluid intravenously (IV) at the hospital.</li><li>Viral gastroenteritis can spread by sharing food, water and utensils. Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of infection to others.</li><li>Viral gastroenteritis is usually not a serious illness. However, people who have weak immune systems are at risk for more serious infection.</li></ul> | | <h2>What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis?</h2><p>Diarrhea and vomiting are the main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis.</p><p>In addition to diarrhea and vomiting, a child with viral gastroenteritis may have the following symptoms. </p><ul><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">Fever</a></li><li>Stomach cramps or a sore stomach</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=29&language=English">Headache</a></li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Decreased activity level</li><li>Increased sleepiness</li><li>Decreased appetite </li></ul><p>In general, the symptoms begin one to two days after catching the virus. They can last for one to 10 days.</p> | <h2>Viral gastroenteritis can be spread</h2><h3>Viral gastroenteritis can spread through the following methods:</h3><ul><li>sharing food, water or eating utensils such as forks and knives with someone who has the virus</li><li>not washing hands after touching items that may have the virus on their surface</li><li>not washing hands after diaper changes or toileting</li></ul><p>It is important to clean and disinfect surfaces and items that your child touches, including toys, and wash laundry thoroughly to remove the virus from your home. </p><h2>Anyone can catch viral gastroenteritis</h2><p>People of all ages and backgrounds can get viral gastroenteritis. However, different groups often get different viruses:</p><ul><li>Babies and toddlers tend to get rotaviruses and torovirus more often. </li><li>Adenoviruses and astroviruses tend to cause diarrhea mostly in young children. </li><li>Norwalk-like viruses are more likely to cause diarrhea in older children and adults. </li></ul> | | | <h2>Treating viral gastroenteritis</h2><p>The best treatment for viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent <a href="/Article?contentid=776&language=English">dehydration</a>. Dehydration happens when more fluid leaves the body than enters it.</p><h3>Symptoms of dehydration include:</h3><ul><li>Dry, cracked lips and a dry or sticky mouth </li><li>Thirst </li><li>Low or no urine output; concentrated urine appears dark yellow </li><li>Not producing tears </li><li>Being fussy or cranky </li><li>Seeming bored or uninterested </li><li>Headache </li><li>Dizziness </li><li>Cramps </li><li>Chills </li><li>Fatigue </li></ul><h3>In severe cases, dehydration can cause:</h3><ul><li>Sunken eyes </li><li>Sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of a baby's head </li><li>Nausea or vomiting </li><li>Irritability</li><li>Lethargy (little to no energy)</li></ul><p>If your child becomes severely dehydrated, they may need to be treated at the hospital. In the hospital, fluids can be replaced through an intravenous line (IV) if necessary. </p><h2>Viral gastroenteritis is rarely a serious illness</h2><p>For most people, viral gastroenteritis is not a serious illness. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. How fast a child recovers from viral gastroenteritis partly depends on which virus is causing the illness.</p><p>Viral gastroenteritis can be a serious illness in people who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Babies, young children, and people who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from losing too much of the body's water.</p><p>People with immune system problems are at risk for dehydration because they may get more severe symptoms, including more vomiting and diarrhea. People with severe symptoms may need to stay in the hospital to treat or prevent dehydration.</p> | | | <h2>You can prevent viral gastroenteritis with good hand washing</h2>
<h3>To avoid catching or spreading viral gastroenteritis, you should do the following things:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Wash hands well and often. This is especially important at hospitals and other medical facilities. </li>
<li>Do not visit anyone in hospital when you are ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis. Ask other family members and friends to do the same. </li>
</ul> | <h2>If your child is in hospital, help stop viral gastroenteritis from spreading</h2><ul><li>Your child may be placed in a single room and will not be able to visit the playroom until they are feeling better. </li><li>Wash your hands often before and after touching your child and before leaving your child's room. Expect hand washing by hospital staff as well. </li><li>If you or anyone else who has visited becomes ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, let your child's doctor or nurse know.</li><li>If your child has symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and they are in the hospital, all staff caring for your child should wear gloves and a gown. </li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/viral_gastroenteritis_flu.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | | | | | stomachflu | stomachflu | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/viral_gastroenteritis_flu.jpg | | Stomach flu is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Learn the symptoms and treatment of stomach flu. | Main | | |
