The Painful Scrotum
The most common cause of a painful scrotum is idiopathic scrotal edema.
This condition may be due to insect bites or contact with irritants in the environment producing allergic reaction.
The edema may involve the prepuce and perineum and is pinkish or reddish.
Another cause of painful scrotum is Torsion of the testis.
This is an emergency condition because it may result to testicular necrosis from the twisting of the spermatic artery.
This condition may present also the following: low grade fever, excruciating pain that may radiate to the abdomen and is associated with vomiting and shock- like state.
The testicle is swollen, firm and tender. The scrotal sac is edematous and red.
Torsion of an appendix may also result to painful scrotum.
This is suspected when a localized tender swelling in the upper pole of the testis is present.
Another condition identified as a cause of painful scrotum is epididymo-orchitis.
Though rare in childhood, this becomes common in the adolescent with sexual adventurism.
This condition may be secondary to urinary tract infection, instrumentation or generalized sepsis.
Trauma may be a contributing factor too.