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A 4-year old boy is brought in because of marked edema and pruritis of his penis and foreskin. His family is visiting on vacation and staying at a rental home. He spent most of the prior day playing outside, and he has several papules consistent with bug bites on his arms, legs, and back. He is afebrile and there is no redness or warmth to the edema. He is uncircumcised, and there is no tight constricting band noted.
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June 1, 2021 at 11:34 pm
C) Summer penile syndrome
Summer penile syndrome refers to a hypersensitivity reaction due to chigger bites. It causes significant penile edema and pruritus. It is seen most commonly in the spring and summer in young boys with outdoors exposure. In a case series 84% had pruritus, 84% had a history of recent outdoors exposure (woods, park, lawn) or poison ivy, and 50% had a bite mark or papule visible on the penis/scrotum. Patients may also complain of weak urinary stream, urinary retention due to the swelling, and dysuria. It is self-limited but may take many days to resolve; treatment includes topical steroids, topical & oral antihistamines, and cold compresses.