Painful Urination in Children: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Burning pain with urination is called dysuria (say "dis-YOO-ree-uh"). It may be a symptom of a urinary tract infection or other urinary problems. The bladder may become inflamed. This can cause pain when the bladder fills and empties. Your child may also feel pain if the urethra gets irritated or infected. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Soaps, bubble bath, or items that are put in the urethra can cause irritation.

Girls may have painful urination because of irritation or infection of the vagina.

Your child may need tests to find out what's causing the pain. The treatment for the pain depends on the cause.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Give your child extra fluids to drink for the next day or two.
• Avoid giving your child fizzy drinks or drinks with caffeine. They can irritate the bladder.
• Help your child to gently wash his or her genitals.
• If your child is a girl, teach her to wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
• To help avoid irritation, have your child avoid lotions and bubble baths.