Red and swollen penis :(

My little boy is 23 months old and we noticed on Tuesday afternoon that his little penis was red and very swollen. We took him to the doctor and have been told he has an infection and need to apply Canesten cream a few times a day. The Dr said it could take a while to clear up fully.
Although we're applying the cream, I don't feel 100% comfortable with using it. Has anyone had something similar with their boys and used something more natural that has worked to clear it up? I give him Immune booster powder for kids on his breakfast cereal each day which helps with colds etc but it hasn't stopped him getting the infection. I'm just wondering if there's some other alternative to the chemist cream??

You could try bathing it in a saline (salt) solution. It might help him out.

If the Dr has given you Canesten he obviously suspects a fungal infection. Did he take a swab to confirm? Try boosting his natural immunity with giving him yoghurt containing lactobacillus acidophilus, avoid sugary foods as this "starves" the yeast fungus and also avoid yeasty foods like vegemite. You could also try bathing with a very dilute solution of warm water and cider vinegar.

both replys are great advise, i would go back to the Dr if not looking like it is improving in 24/48 hrs, once the right treatment is started then it should improve quickly, lots of nappy free time too.

I assume the Dr checked to see if the foreskin was ok? As in not too tight and as krisp says assumes a fungal infection.
All the advice above is great.

make sure you increase his fluid levels too. it'll reduce the acidity of his wee.

Thanks for your advice everyone. My DH took him to the dr and unfortunately didn't ask as many questions as I would have!!
He did say it was fungal but said it is probably from not being dry enough after bathing. I wondered whether diet played a part but he has mainly homemade foods, lhe eats a lot of natural yoghurt and I'm qutie strict with avoiding sugary and processed foods. I will keep pushing the water as that's all he drinks besides milk.
It is looking much better today, less red and not as swollen so I think the canesten is working. I might try bathing him in the salt water.

Thanks again :)