A call from the school nurse always sends a shiver down my spine, but during a pandemic? Even more concerning. Recently, I received a call that took me on an unexpected journey. My seven-year-old son, Lucas, was in the nurse’s office sobbing. He had gone to the bathroom and was bleeding from his penis. Talk about panic! I rushed to the school, and when I saw his freckled face looking up at me with tears in his eyes, my heart broke. “Mom, I’m scared,” he said.
We quickly got an appointment with the pediatrician, and they sent us to the restroom for a urine test. As someone who has dealt with UTIs before, I thought this was a good idea. When Lucas went, there was a bit of blood, but not too much. He winced and mentioned it burned, so I figured a simple antibiotic would do the trick.
After a short wait, the doctor came in and informed us that Lucas’s urine was clear. I was confused. How could that be? He asked Lucas a few questions about any injuries or inappropriate incidents, and thankfully, Lucas said no. The doctor then examined him and calmly stated, “He has a penile adhesion.”
As the mom of three boys, I had never heard of this before, but it turns out it’s quite common. Sadly, it can also be uncomfortable. There are three types of penile adhesions that can affect both circumcised and uncircumcised boys. When an adhesion occurs, the skin attaches itself to the penis, causing pain. According to Verywell Mind, the types include:
- Glandular Adhesion: This happens when skin attaches to the head of the penis, covering the coronal margin.
- Penile Skin Bridge: A thicker adhesion that might need surgery if it doesn’t resolve itself.
- Cicatrix: Scar tissue that can trap the penis in the pubic fat pad, preventing the glans from being exposed.
Most of the time, these adhesions are noticeable during diaper changes or bath time but aren’t painful. The discomfort often arises as the child grows, but they can naturally resolve themselves. For uncircumcised boys, the foreskin typically separates from the glans as they mature. If it doesn’t, a doctor will assess the situation. In circumcised boys, adhesions can develop if the skin isn’t properly maintained during care.
Lucas had a glandular adhesion, which likely had been there for a while without us noticing due to the lack of pain. The pediatrician explained that as he’s growing, the adhesion was starting to tear, resulting in bleeding and discomfort. Since the area is dry and has few oil glands, the tearing was painful for him. We were instructed to use antibiotic ointment to keep it moisturized and prevent infection, which helped the irritation clear up quickly. The good news was that no surgery was necessary; it should resolve on its own with time.
While penile adhesions are generally a normal part of development, it’s wise to consult a pediatrician if they cause pain or irritation. It’s always better to be safe, especially with such a sensitive area.
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In summary, while the experience was nerve-wracking, it turned out to be manageable. Penile adhesions can be a common occurrence and usually resolve themselves without much fuss. Always remember to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
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