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Sticky Whitish Discharge Before Urinating

02/09/2010

Question:

My Son is 3 and half year of age. Since a couple of weeks passed I have noticed whitish discharge before he urinates. Mostly on his own he goes to the toilet, but sometimes he does wet his pants. There is no itching or skin changes on the penis, no redness, or swelling.

Yesterday the quantity of whitish viscous discharge was more. I would like to get information regarding this. I will be taking him to the doctor in a couple of days, but is this a serious problem?

Please note that sometimes the pants which he wets, has very white marks or spots, and on his penis skin today I could see white crystal-like chalky powder.

I am very much worried about it. What can be the reason? Please guide me. He is a very playful, naughty and active kid.

Answer:

The source of the discharge is uncertain. It would be very unusual for this type of discharge to come from the urethra, inside the urinary tract, particularly if he is well and not experiencing pain with urination. If he is uncircumcised, it would be more likely that the discharge comes from desquamated skin cells from under the foreskin–that is pretty common.

For more information:

Go to the Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children) health topic.