constantly scratching his junk

[confusedgranny]

My 7 year old grandson ,with multiple mental disorders such as PTSD,ADHD,odd,ocd,mood disorders,major depression,seperation anxiety disorder, he takes 6 different meds over the day.A few months ago I. Noticed that he was feeling his penis a lot I know this is normal,however he can't seem to stop scratching himself ,its to the point that he does it everywhere school,church ,h,public yet he won't Allow me to look to see if maybe he may have crabs,is this normal at all,
if not what's my next step?

[jemma116]

I agree with the other posters that your grandson does need to have his medicines looked at again and his "condition" reassessed.

It may be that the itching could be an allergic reaction to any one of his meds,  a discomfort from his underwear or from the detergent that is used to wash his clothes or to the soaps that are used to wash him.

The other possibility is a fungal problem called Thrush.  And yes, children can get this.

You do need to get him to be examined properly to be able to identify what it is so that he can get the proper treatment if this is required.  

Little boys can also get Balanitis and in fact 3% of children do get this.  Balanitis is an inflammation that affects the head of the penis and/or the foreskin.  So it may not be itching, but may be so uncomfortable that he is touching and rubbing it, which no doubt will make it even more uncomfortable.  And of course the more you scratch an itch, the more it itches.

My grandson was fine to show me his penis so that I could examine it when I noticed that it did not look right when he went for a pee.  But some children are very shy and embarrassed about these things.  Perhaps you can discreetly watch when he has a pee or when he has a bath.

It is important to make his parents aware that there may be a health issue and not just a simple itch scratch.

Best wishes.

[Sandman2]

    Has his mom or dad checked out the area he is scratching?   They should or should take him to his pediatrician to have it checked out.  This could be something as simple as a rash that needs the proper care.
   And ya, I would say that he is on way to many many meds for that age. If he doesn't have a rash or something like that, the amount of meds could be part of the problem and they certainly will make it harder to figure out if they are part of the problem because of the amount he is on.

[RockRose]

confused,  I also think this is WAY too many diagnoses and medications for one person.

PTSD should cover all the symptoms of all the disorder,  IMHO.  If he truly has PTSD,  and can point to a truly debilitating trauma he experienced before all these symptoms began,  seems to me PTSD about covers it.  

I don't know what meds he's on but it sounds like he may have Tardive Dyskenesia or Tardive Dystonia.    It's a reaction to being over medicated with beta blockers and it causes odd behaviors like genital rubbing and lip smacking,  and odd gaits when walking.  

Is it possible for you to have him re-evaluated and consider his med plan again?  

[MarkLakewood3367]

It is my professional opinion, of course not knowing his actual mental state, that he may be over diagnosed and over medicated for being 7 years of age.  The behavior you describe may have a direct bearing to the behavior you describe.  What I would do is either consult with the prescribing MD or get at least a second opinion from another MD regarding psychiatric issues.  Hopefully, he was diagnosed by a psychiatrist and not a pediatrician.  Additionally, every child diagnosed with a psychotropic disorder and prescribed psychotropic meds should be counseled by a mental health professional.  So, it these things are currently not happening, they certainly need to be.

[specialmom]

Hi there and welcome.  Well, first, I doubt he has crabs.  :>)  That is sexually transmitted and he'd have to be exposed to them.  Is there a man in the house that can have a look?  Not for crabs but to see if he has some kind of rash or if he is hurting his skin with the itching?  My boys would show me but if a child is uncomfortable, a man looking would be great to have take a peak.

Could this be part of his ocd?  

Honestly, I'd run this with the professionals you are working with.  His doctors and therapist would be the best place to get answers on this.  

but I would try to get a look see to make sure he doesn't have a rash and need to see a doctor.  good luck