Chemical Urethritis (Child)
Your child has urethritis. This happens when the urethra becomes inflamed. The urethra is the tube that drains urine out of the body.
Depending on your child's age, it can be hard to figure out what's bothering them. You may need to ask the same question in different ways to figure it out. Often the symptoms may seem like a bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI). Symptoms may include:
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Pain or a burning feeling in the urethra when peeing or not. (In a girl, the urethra is the opening above the vagina. In a boy, the urethra is the opening on the tip of the penis.)
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Pain in the vagina or penis
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Feeling the need to pee often
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Not wanting to pee, which can cause your child to urinate on themselves
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Not wanting to drink because they'll have to pee
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Lower belly (abdominal) pressure or pain
Urethritis has both infectious and noninfectious causes. In children, the condition is often from chemical irritation, not an infection. Your child wasn't found to have an infection.
Often, chemicals such as soap, bubble baths, or skin lotions that get inside the urethra cause the irritation. Symptoms often go away within 3 days after the last exposure. Other noninfectious causes of urethritis include:
Home care
Follow these guidelines to help care for your child at home:
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Washing the genitals gently with a washcloth and soapy water should not cause a problem. Be careful so that soap does not get inside the urethra. Don't rub too hard or too much. This can irritate it more.
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If you think bubble bath was the cause of urethritis, don't do any bubble baths. You can still try baths. But don't have your child soak in the tub with soap or shampoo in the water. Save this until the end.
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Stop using any new lotions or soaps until the urethritis clears up.
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Soaking in warm water without soap for about 10 minutes can help ease pain. Repeat as needed.
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Use white cotton underwear only.
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Drink more liquids during the day. Urine should look light yellow, not dark.
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You can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, fussiness, or discomfort. Don't use ibuprofen in infants younger than 6 months old. Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving these medicines if your child has chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk with the provider if your child has ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive tract bleeding, or they're taking blood thinner medicines.
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If your child was given antibiotics for an infection, give them until they're used up. Or until the provider tells you to stop. It's important to finish the antibiotics even if your child feels better. This is to make sure the infection has cleared.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child's healthcare provider, or as advised. If a culture specimen was taken, call as directed for the result.
When to get medical advice
Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Symptoms don't go away after 3 days
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Fever that repeatedly rises above 100.4°F (38°C) for a child of any age
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Unable to pee
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More redness or rash in the genital area
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Discharge from the penis or vagina
Online Medical Reviewer:
Amy Finke RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Marc Greenstein MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
5/1/2022
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.