Burning after urination in children | Burning after urination

Burning after urination in children

Burning after urination in children is often caused by a urinary tract infection, but burning is more likely to be the leading symptom in older children. In infants and toddlers, vomiting or unclear fever may also be the only symptom. Sometimes, new bed-wetting after the child has not wet the bed is a sign of a urinary tract infection.

Girls are more likely to have urinary tract infections; boys under one year of age are most likely to have a urinary tract infection. To clarify the cause of the burning or other symptoms, a complete physical examination of the child should be done by the doctor to rule out changes such as a narrowing of the foreskin or a sticking together of the labia. An examination of the urine can determine whether there is an inflammation of the bladder or lower urinary tract.

If nitrite, which is a decomposition product of bacteria, and leukocytes, the white blood cells, are found in the urine during the test, this strongly suggests a urinary tract infection. A circumcision lowers the rate of urinary tract infections in boys, but the risk of complications of circumcision is high, so that it would only be worthwhile in the case of recurrent urinary tract infections. If a urinary tract infection could be found and other causes for burning after peeing in the child could be excluded, the treatment is done with the administration of antibiotics for one week or less.

Burning on the glans

If a burning sensation occurs on the glans after urination, this can have various causes. In most cases, the burning sensation is also accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling or purulent secretions. Even the drying of the mucous membrane due to excessive cleansing or for other reasons can irritate the sensitive glans.

This is called balanitis simplex, i.e. inflammation of the glans due to unspecific irritation. Furthermore, allergic reactions to ointment components, latex or fragrances can lead to burning after urination. Somewhat more complex is balanitis plasmacellularis zoon, which is a chronic inflammation of the glans without a clear cause.

This leads to lacquer-like, reddish-brown and smooth spots. Poor intimate hygiene or a constricted foreskin can promote an inflammation of the glans. The other group of causes for burning after peeing are infections of the glans.

These include fungal infections, infections with viruses (most commonly herpes viruses or genital warts) or parasites (e.g. crabs), but also infections caused by bacteria, which can cause syphilis or other diseases, for example. Infection with these pathogens usually occurs through sexual contact with an infected person.