Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Four-Year-Old with an 'Itchy Bottom' | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My four-year-old son has been complaining of "an itchy bottom" for the past few days. What could be causing this? Also his stomach has become a bit distended and sore, he had a 102-degree fever, and he suffered from a sore throat all in the past few days.— Kathy in Danville, CA | | | ANSWER |
July 2, 2001 | | | Dear Kathy,
There are several possible causes of an "itchy bottom." these range from tight underwear to pinworms or strep infections (yes they can occur at both ends!). Perhaps the most common cause is poor hygiene. Children are not always adept at careful wiping after having a bowel movement, and stool is very irritating. If your son has had any diarrhea, that can often just make thorough wiping even more difficult.
Another common cause of itchy bottoms is pinworms. I would suggest you have your son evaluated for them if the itching persists after you've considered the other common possibilities--especially if his itching persists after the other symptoms resolve.
The fact that he developed abdominal problems, fever, and a sore throat suggests that he may have a strep infection, which can cause all of these symptoms. I can't tell exactly what's wrong without seeing him and possibly performing some lab tests (e.g., a throat culture).
Since strep is a possibility, it is important that you have him evaluated by his healthcare provider because he may need specific antibiotic treatment.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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