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.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- Pain or burning with urination, see URINATION, PAIN WITH.
- Itching of the anus is main symptom, see PINWORMS.
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.
HOME CARE ADVICE
- 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.
- Steroid Cream: Apply small amount of 1% hydrocortisone cream to the genital area after soaks for 1 or 2 days.
- 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.
- Expected Course: If the symptoms are due to soap vulvitis, they should all clear within 1 to 2 days with proper treatment.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Irritation persists on treatment over 48 hours
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding occurs
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
REFERENCES
- Arsenault PS and Gerbie AB. Vulvovaginitis in the preadolescent girl. Pediatr Ann. 1986;15:577-585.
- Paek SC, Merritt DF, Mallory SB. Pruritus vulvae in prepubertal children. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44(5):795-802.
- Stricker T, Navratil F, Sennhauser FH. Vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls. Arch Dis Child. 2003:88:324-326.
- Sugar N, Graham E. Gynecologic problems in prepubertal girls. Pediatr Rev. 2006;27(6): 213-223.
- 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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