Hi Everyone! This is my first time posting here and I have a question...This is so awkward, my 4 year old has "discovered" herself and has done it to a point where she has a rash that bleeds almost like a cut inside of her vagina. I have NO idea what to do to help her with it. It hurts her when she goes potty, when she wipes too hard, when I try to clean her with a wet wipie, anything. I've put Desitin on it, and that worked for a while, to keep it clean, however, it didn't heal it. I've since put neosporin on it, but only a VERY little because It's not supposed to be used internally. I really don't know what to do. Please, if anyone has any advice or anything that might be able to help - please let me know. Thank You!
How far in is this cut? Is it just in the cheeks or farther? If just in the cheeks then I would let her run around with out undies for a while.. and if possible through the night.. exposed air will help it heal. If it is in deeper then that... I would do the preparation h... I helps sooo much for me after birth *level 4 tear* that and witch hazel would help a bit too! Good luck darling!
So I think what you are saying is that your 4 year old has started masturbating and has done it to the point of creating a raw spot in her vagina? Sorry if that is not correct and I've just embarassed you further, but that is what I took from your question.
If that is indeed the situation, my best advice would be to talk to her about what she is doing, what the private parts of her body are for (her, and her future husband, and no-one else to touch or play with) and how to take good care of it so that it doesn't cause her pain or get infected. I have a 4 year old son, and I think that age is old enough to understand and follow that kind of a discussion. She should probably not touch herself down there until it is healed, as it will just irritate it further. I would also talk with her about making sure her hands are clean if she is going to touch herself there.
To get it healed, I would suggest using regular applications (like every time after she goes potty) of a lubricant like KY to reduce irritation, or I've had great luck with Aquafor on my kids bottoms - including in my 2 yr old's vagina when she has gotten irritated there from a really runny poopy diaper. Aquafor is basically a more healing form of vaseline.
Good luck, and I'm sorry if I totally took your question wrong!
Awww --- worrisome for you- but I PROMISE your little girl is just stumbling into a more extreme version of a completely normal developmental phase. - ( as a 4 decades - preschool teacher - I PROMISE) -- the fact that your baby is becoming more of an active participant - and less of a sleeping infant- it makes sense that your big girl is ''stuck''. I'd quick call my GYN or the nurse and ask them what to use- that will ease discomfort and heal best.
Take care,
J.
The "bottom" is a bit of a petri dish, no matter how young she is. If it's not healing, it could be infected. Don't let your understandable embarrassment stop you from calling the advice nurse or taking her to the doctor - trust me...you're not the ONLY mom that has had to go through this. We all discover ourselves eventually...well, with any luck we do. ;)
In my job as a child care provider, I've noticed that it's very common for little girls discover themselves, sometimes even as early as two y.o. Perfectly natural, perfectly normal.
I think the previous posters have pointed out the most important piece of all: this is a great time to educate and teach your daughter about a little self-care. Handwashing/good hygiene is most important. You might also let her know that fingers are fine, but that she shouldn't use any toys or other items to touch her private parts with. I'm sure she's heard of germs/bacteria at this point, and can understand that they love to grow in nice dark warm areas of the body, including ears, bellybuttons, noses and also around her vagina and bottom. (or whatever terminology you use at home).
She may also be scratching herself because rashes itch and kids generally have very little self-control when it comes to not scratching. (I've seen this too! culprit=yeast.)
If it were me, I would take her in for a urine screen and to be checked for yeast. Some girls will develop a yeast infection without the symptoms we women typically associate with it. So please, get her checked out, or at least call your advice nurse.
In regard to the stinging during urination, I might suggest digging out your peri-bottle (from the hospital, given to mothers after a vaginal birth), if you received/have one,or some other clean squeeze bottle. Teach/help her to fill it with warm water before going to the bathroom. She can use it while she urinates to relieve the stinging and lower the acidity of the urine in contact with the skin. I know that it saved me time and time again after the birth of my son, or I would have dreaded using the bathroom even more!
I hope your issue resolves easily.
This sounds like it may be fishers(sp?), I would either go to Whole Foods or New Seasons and get some Aloe Vera juice(softens B/M's) give a bit 2 a day in juice. Also they sell some great Vitamin E suppositories or creams for just this type of healing. The only other thing I would say is check with your Dr.'s office. Good luck.
Hi C.,
Someone has probably already said this, but you don't mention seeing your doctor. I'd take her to the pediatrician since you haven't been able to get it to heal. That is a very sensitive area that is prone to infection.
Good luck!
C.
Gracious, that's...early! I don't know what to tell you but I can tell you about the BEST PRODUCT we ever found for diaper rash. It is made by Blistex and it's not easy to find - it comes in a box with 10 or so separate pads (so you don't have to get any on your fingers) - it's called Diprotex and it sticks like glue and cures quickly. I have seen it at Walgreens and you may have to do a google search to find it these days - don't know why it's hard to find, given its UNBEATABLE (but, then, maybe I do - I've got an unbeatable product and it's not hard to see how the competition may not appreciate it's effectiveness in the same way as retail customers :-). GO! Search for Diprotex!! It's the BEST kept secret in baby care, I promise!!
Best wishes for her painless recovery,
T. B.
You should take her to the doctor if you can't get it taken care of. They will have seen the same thing a million times and will know what to do to help it. good luck.
My grand daughter and grandson have gone through the same thing and we use neosporin. Works great and heals within a day. I keep them clean and use that every time I change them. My granddaughter is 1 and in diapers and my grandson is 3 and autistic and still in diapers. But it works. haven't used anything else as we try and take care of it because it hurts them so bad. I hope this helps. Neosporin keep it around!.....lol
No, you aren't supposed to use neosporin internally, but to tell you the truth I don't think it will hurt her. As for the pain...you might consider something to "soften things up" when she goes. If she has painful bowel movements you might want to consider a stool softener or something that will help her not have to strain..might be a bit of a hassle for you..as probably will create more clean up. Also when she wipes, have her use a dry baby wipe that is wet with warm water. (simply let a few dry and then re-wet them if you like as needed...you wash off a lot of the stinging stuff. As far as her discovering herself..it might be time to have a talk with her using either books, or a movie..or something. There was a show on when I was a kid..(long time ago) that was called "Slim GoodBody". He wore a suit consisting of the entire anatomy. Sang songs about the body etc. There may be something else out there that is more modern but I remember "Slim GoodBody Brave and True..a man of health a hero who..teaches kids about keeping fit healthy bodies and more nutrition is his mission good health his goal.." (or somethin like that was the theme lyrics). There are also books about "everybody poops"..and other bodily functions in the series. You might look at the library maybe? as far as her owie there goes, I suggest you keep doing that..careful with rash creme as that is kind of thick if it's inside..neosporin has a little pain reliever in it, so it might actually be your best bet. You might try putting a dab of vaseline on it and see what happens but I would advise the neosporin simply for the antibacterial properties. If there is infection..like oozing or anything like pus..I'd ask a doc for sure. Embarrassing visit, yes, but an infection there can spread to a urinary tract infection. Also, it does take longer for wounds to heal there because of cleanliness especially with kids..so I suggest a warm bath at least once a day..and let her sit and soak..supervised so she doesn't do anymore unintended scratching. Add a little oatmeal to help the itchy rash.
I would try hydrocortizone cream or (funny as this sounds) hemmroid cream. Both were perscribed to my niece when she had a really bad diaper rash and are ok for internal (not to eat obviously but you know what I mean!) You can get 1% hydrocortizone from the store or something stronger with a prescription. I think it is the miracle cure! We use it on everything for my 9 month old son! Good luck!
Try Preparation-H. It heals, stops the pain and redness, reduces swelling - all in one, and its purpose is for application in that area.
When you say bottom do you mean her vagina or her anus? I am not sure.
I would try an antibiotic cream, very little, applied three or four times a day. If that doesn't work, you might want to see a doctor.
Otherwise, make sure your daughter's fingers are always clean and nails cut short. This phase will pass, really.
