A hydrocele is a fluid-like substance that fills up the male scrotum and makes it swell. Around 10% of newborn male babies have this condition, and it disappears on its own within the first year. It is a very rare occurrence for adult men and happens to only about 1% of the adult male population. Most of the time the condition resolves on its own, so there is no need for hydrocele treatment unless it gets infected and is painful. If your swelling is bleeding or you feel pain when you move, you must consult a doctor immediately for treatment.
What Is A Hydrocele?
A hydrocele is a swelling of the scrotum due to the collection of fluid in the testicle membrane. This fluid will swell near or below the scrotum and can be very uncomfortable. However, it is not dangerous unless it becomes painful or infected. You must go to a doctor for hydrocele treatment and a checkup to see that it doesn’t recur.
Treatment for Hydrocele
In newborn males, a hydrocele goes away within one year from birth. It might swell and become uncomfortable for the baby, but besides this, it is not considered dangerous. But if your child complains of pain in the scrotum and it is bleeding, you must go to a doctor immediately. In older males, an injury or infection could cause a painful hydrocele that must be treated immediately.
Examination
The doctor will first ask your child or you about the hydrocele, how painful it is, and when it started. Based on these answers, the doctor will have to conduct a physical examination of the scrotum. It will help determine the location of the swelling, its extent, and how it can be treated.
The doctor will do the following during the physical examination:
- They will feel the scrotum to see where it is hurting and whether the scrotum feels tender.
- The doctor will also use light therapy for hydrocele treatment. It is called transillumination, where the doctor will shine a light on the patient’s scrotum.
- If light passes through the swelling, it is not dangerous and can be removed surgically.
- If the light does not pass through the swelling, It could be a sign of a tumor. The doctor will immediately scan and see whether it is a benign or malignant tumor and operate accordingly.
- Some doctors might also opt for an ultrasound scan to be sure of the cause of the swelling in the scrotum.
- In some cases, the doctor will perform exploratory surgery if the swelling is harmful and can cause a hernia. It will help find and remove the growth to make sure it doesn’t harm the person affected.
- There are no FDA-approved medicines that you can take to treat it, so don’t try any over-the-counter medication. Your best option is to see a doctor and get a diagnosis.
What Should You Do To Treat It?
In most cases, especially in newborn males, a hydrocele will go away on its own. However, parents can monitor the scrotum and feel it to see if it is painful or infected.
- If your child is feeling pain when you touch it, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will perform blood and urinary tests to look for any infections such as epididymitis.
- In some cases, if the scrotum fills up a lot, your child might find it hard to walk or move.
- In such cases, the doctor will perform a needle aspiration treatment. The doctor will inject a needle into the sac-filled fluid in this kind of treatment.
- The doctor will then drain the fluid and inject chemicals into the sac to prevent it from occurring again.
- This hydrocele treatment is quite painful and should only be done in extreme cases. It is recommended for adults with infection or injury issues in the scrotum.
- You may need bed rest for two to three days, but then you will be back to normal. You should also visit the doctor for a follow-up exam to see if the hydrocele recurs.
- The doctor will also apply pressure to the scrotum to check for hernias. Hernias are dangerous and must be treated immediately.
- Sometimes, during hernia surgery, doctors remove hydroceles to avoid any infection. They will administer anesthesia to numb the pain so that they can remove the hydrocele easily.
Conclusion
A hydrocele mostly occurs in newborn males and goes away on its own with time. But you must go for hydrocele treatment if you or your child is feeling pain and discomfort for an extended period of time. It could be a sign of infection or something more serious, and it is necessary to go to the doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will question and examine you and then decide the right course of action accordingly.
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