Hygiene

[SquirrelyGirl61]

Our twelve-year old boy is having difficulty cleaning himself properly after going to the bathroom (specifically, after deficating). We have repeatedly demonstrated the proper procedure for this, and subjected him to routine "inspections" to ensure he is doing it properly. We have also purchased wet wipes to assist with cleanliness, and repeatedly talked to him about this to ensure that he understands why it is important to keep himself clean. Yet he keeps backsliding on this particular issue, resulting in extra laundry, foul odor, and being ostracized by family, friends and peers.

We do not believe his diet is an issue, as he eats a good balanced diet consisting of all the basic food groups, and has no issues as far as food allergies or tolerances that we are aware of. We have spoken to the doctor regarding this issue on a couple of occasions, but his only response has been to suggest Miralax or other OTC laxatives.

We have tried to resort to reward/punishment, but this only serves to make him determined to hide the fact that he is unclean (hiding his undershorts rather than putting them in the laundry) and in some cases even lying about it.

He recognizes and understands why we are so persistent in this, but we are still not seeing much improvement... he continues to do well faithfully, then suddenly backslides. We are about at our wits' end... Any suggestions?

[momof1son]

It may not be a hygiene-only problem.  A friend of mine's son had many problems with soiled underwear.  It was found nearly a year later that he was having major issues with constipation and his bowels were mostly blocked.  The only stool that would pass over the blockage was liquid-like.  This cause "leakage" that came without warning or ability to control. After treatment, the problem never returned.  

[sweetnina26]

It seems like he might be rushing to get back to play and dont be completely through using the bathroom.  Just explain to him that if he dont take his time cleaning himself that he will have sores back there because feces eat nasty sores on him.  I think its just he is a very active boy and dont take his time.  just express to him the importence of his Hygiene and he will be allright.