What is scrotal swelling in children?

The scrotum is the sac that holds the 2 testicles. Scrotal swelling is a common problem in baby boys and young boys. It can have many causes. These are often divided into painless and painful scrotal swelling.

Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.

What causes scrotal swelling in a child?

What are the symptoms of scrotal swelling in a child?

Symptoms vary depending on the cause. In addition to the swelling, your child may also have pain, redness of the overlying skin, or other symptoms. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is scrotal swelling diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They may also ask about your family’s health history. They will give your child a physical exam. The physical exam will include an exam of the belly, the scrotum, and the testicles. Your child will likely have a urine test. A urine sample will be checked for signs of infection. Your child may also have an ultrasound. These are painless imaging tests that use sound waves or a small amount of radiation to show tissues in the body.

How is scrotal swelling treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Depending on the cause of your child’s scrotal swelling, treatment may include:

• Surgery. For testicular torsion, your child will often need emergency surgery to save the testicle. Your child may also need surgery if they have a severe injury to the testicle. Emergency surgery may be needed if a hernia is trapped or strangulated. If the hernia is not trapped, the healthcare provider often recommends elective surgery. Testicular cancer also needs surgery.

• Medicine. If your child has a bacterial infection, they will be given antibiotic medicine. Testicular cancer responds well to cancer medicines. But it may also need radiation treatment.

• Watching over time. Your child may not need treatment for conditions such as minor injury, mumps, a small hernia, hydrocele, idiopathic swelling, or Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Many of these can be watched to see if they go away on their own. The healthcare provider may give your child pain medicine and medicine to reduce swelling while watching for some of these conditions.

Talk with your child’s healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.

What are possible complications of scrotal swelling in a child?

Without treatment, a varicocele may, over time, lead to testicle damage and being unable to have children (infertility). Sudden and severe causes of scrotal swelling, such as testicular torsion, need surgery within a few hours. Otherwise the testicle can die.

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Call the healthcare provider if your child has:

• Painful scrotal swelling

• Pain from injury to the testicles that lasts longer than an hour

• Symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse

• New symptoms

Scrotal swelling that is severe and starts suddenly is a medical emergency. Take your child to an emergency room right away.

Key points about scrotal swelling in children

• The scrotum is the sac that holds the 2 testicles. Scrotal swelling is a common problem in baby boys and young boys. It can happen quickly or happen slowly over time.

• It can have many causes. These are often divided into painless and painful scrotal swelling.

• Your child will likely have a urine test. A urine sample will be checked for signs of infection. Your child may also have an ultrasound.

• In some cases, your child may not need treatment. The swelling may just be watched over time and may go away on its own.

• In other cases, your child may need treatment with medicine or surgery.

• Scrotal swelling that is severe and starts suddenly is a medical emergency.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your provider gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.