Vaginal Itching or Irritation

VAGINAL ITCHING OR IRRITATION

Symptom Definition

  • Genital area pain, burning or itching.
  • No pain or burning with urination.

Cause

  • Main cause in young girls: a soap irritation of the vulva or outer vagina (soap vulvitis) from bubble bath, shampoo or other soap.

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call your doctor now (night or day) if:

  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Could be from sexual abuse
  • Vaginal Bleeding

Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:

  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Vaginal discharge  
  • Fever is present

Call your doctor during weekday office hours if:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Over age 10 (reason: soap vulvitis is unusual)
  • Vaginal irritation persists after on treatment for 2 days

Parent care at home if:

  • Probable soap vulvitis and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
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HOME CARE ADVICE

  1. Baking Soda-Warm Water Soaks:
    • Soak for 20 minutes to remove irritants and to promote healing.
    • Add 2 oz. baking soda per tub of warm water (Reason: Baking soda is better than vinegar for girls not into puberty).
    • During soaks, be sure she spreads her legs and allows the water to cleanse the genital area.
    • Repeat baking soda soaks treatment 4 times per day for 2 days.
  2. Steroid Cream: Apply small amount of 1% hydrocortisone cream to the genital area after soaks for 1 or 2 days.
  3. Avoid Soaps: Avoid bubble bath, soap and shampoo to the vulva because they are irritants. Only use warm water to cleanse the vulva or baby oil to remove secretions.
  4. Expected Course: If the symptoms are due to soap vulvitis, they should all clear within 1 to 2 days with proper treatment.
  5. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Irritation persists on treatment over 48 hours
    • Vaginal discharge or bleeding occurs
    • Passing urine becomes painful
    • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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REFERENCES

  1. Arsenault PS and Gerbie AB. Vulvovaginitis in the preadolescent girl. Pediatr Ann. 1986;15:577-585.
  2. Paek SC, Merritt DF, Mallory SB. Pruritus vulvae in prepubertal children. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44(5):795-802.
  3. Stricker T, Navratil F, Sennhauser FH. Vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls. Arch Dis Child. 2003:88:324-326.
  4. Sugar N, Graham E. Gynecologic problems in prepubertal girls. Pediatr Rev. 2006;27(6): 213-223.
  5. Vandeven AM and Emans SJ. Vulvovaginitis in the child and adolescent. Pediatr Rev. 1993;14:141-147.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

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