Itching in the Vaginal Area

That happened to my step daughter the doc told us to not give her baths period, she said to give her a shower instead, because sitting in dirty water was no good, They also told us to let that area air out as much as posible, to put her to bed with a night gown and no panties or loos PJ pants. I also took it upon myself to let her wash that area with summers eve extra sensitive skin feminine wash and diaper rash cream helps the itch.

The other moms have great suggestions. The only thing I would add, is now that we are getting into cooler months, dry skin becomes a bigger issue. I would not bathe her more than twice a week. If she is not fully potty trained, you can rinse her after any accidents with cool water or a damp wash cloth, no wipes and no soap. You can try diaper cream if she seems dry or irritated. If none of this helps, I would definitely take her back to the dr. She may need a steroid-based cream.

The other possiblity is that she is truly playing with herself, which little kids (boys and girls) are known to do. In that case, I agree with the mom that said, let her know it's ok to do that in her room when she's by herself, but she can't do it at school or when she's with other people.

Good luck.

First, make sure that there is no soap touching her vaginal area, of any kind. Shampoo, for example, after washing her hair may be getting trapped in her vaginal area and not being washed away. Also, the soap you use to clean her body (body wash, etc) may also be getting trapped there even if you are not applying directly to that area. I recommend that after you are totally done with bathtime, take a few seconds to run warm water over her vaginal area (ensuring you are getting in the folds) to really rinse off any soapy residue.

Also consider other irritants. How do you launder her undergarments? You may want to use a All-Free or Tide Free (of perfumes or coloring) or even Dreft for her underwear. Also, if you are using fabirc softener, I would stop that for a while to see if that helps.

In the meantime, I agree with the other responder that I think it is time to see your doctor again. Your daughter may have a yeast infection or another condition, lichen sclerosis, with occurs often in very young and very old females from vaginal dryness (not enough estrogen to produce natural lubricants). This can cause a lot of itching and burning.

Can you tell if the itching is topical (on the skin) or internal, like a yeast infection? My daughter has struggled with this since she was a little toddler, (she's 3 1/2 now), and we've done the whole thing with the detergents and the yogurt. The ONLY thing that helped her was the week we were at the beach and she swam in salt water every day--it's the only time it cleared up (hers is definitely a topical itch, which she has been known to scratch until it's bloody). The doctor gave us a steroid cream for eczema and we use it sparingly on the area and that keeps it under control. I can't wait until she's old enough to let me reason with her--I want to rinse her with a salt water solution every time she urinates, but she hates it and won't let me. I really think that would help her, based on the whole "ocean" thing. Good luck--dont you just feel so BAD for her? God, I hope it clears up by puberty...

Check her diet. A lot of food high in yeast can cause the yeast in your body to build up and cause yeast infections especially in kids. Some laundry detergents and fabric softener can cause itching there also.

This may upset you... but it is absolutely normal for young children to touch also because it feels good. I know it is a disturbing thought. Let her know it is okay to touch her body. But it needs to be done in private. This may also be an opportunity to start teaching her about private parts. Who can touch, who can't and what to do if anyone did. Talk to your doctor and go to the library for tips on how to talk about this at your daughters age.

Most of these I agree with.....it could be dry skin, playing with herself, or a yeast infection. I would really have your doctor try to diagnose what exactly it is. My daughter (2 at the time), who is EXTREMELY sensitive, wound up with a yeast infection. I was told to stop all bubble bath things, use only baby soap, feed her yogurt, and put a topical cream on her. I had to dry her very good when she came out of water, and that meant pat her dry, no wiping. I used damp face cloths to wipe her down when she had a wet diaper (she wasn't fully potty trained yet), and again to just pat it, no wiping. wiping will spread it and irritate it more. Because she's so sensitive, I've never used baby wipes unless I was in desperate need. I saved a lot of money and used only warm face cloths on her. Also helped with rashes and sorts. I beleive the cream I used was Nystatin, which is known for its use externally on yeast infections. Ask your doctor first before using it because I am not a doctor. This helped clear it up and we've been yeast free ever since!!! Good luck!

In addition to what others have said about eliminating all bubble baths, soaps and detergents with fragrances, etc., you might want to give her body a chance to "air out." My 4 yo daughter has had similar issues, and her doctor recently suggested not wearing underwear when she goes to bed at night. If your daughter wears nightgowns, all the better, but even no underwear with 2-piece pajamas has seemed to help (that, and washing and rinsing the area well in every bath). FYI, we use Country Save powder laundry detergent and California Baby shampoo/body wash, which are both good for eczema and free of harmful chemicals and fragrances. Good luck.

I think it's a combonation of bath soap and detergent. Don't use bubble baths when bathing her. Also, change your laundry detergent to one that is free and clear of dyes, perfumes, etc. I remember having a similar problem when I was a child and that's what my mom did and it thankfully went away!!! Good luck.

yep bubbles bath did it to my dau too

My daughter had itching also. I would give her cammomile baths with a little vinegar in the water(think vinegar douche), as well as give her yogurt everyday. Make sure outside the vagina area is moisurized...my daughter has eczema and I'm not sure if dry skin in that area contributed to the scratching. hth.

K.,
In the mean time you do everything suggested, I would like to emphasize to take her back to the doctor's and explain that the problem has not stopped. Another thing I would do while they test her for yeast is give her yogurt, let her have one a day; if it is yeast that will help her without needing medications. Hope this helps.

I don't have any advice, but thank you. My 3 yr old daughter is going through the same thing. I was going to make an appointment for her because of it and have to drive an hour for them to tell me what you just posted. Thank you.

I'll cut out bb bath and see what happens.

All of the below sound great, but if you want to stop the itching right away too, just try the old diaper rash cream like Balmex or Desitin. When I was nursing I really wanted everything to be natural and my doctor recommended just using that when I felt itchy myself! It worked like magic, even though I felt weird using it.

I have seen this several times in our family, have they tested her for yeast? We all have yeast in our bodies but some children grow too much. The tx is usually focused on reducing sugar in the diet, using Nystatin, increasing probiotics and avoiding antibiotics which can increase yeast. You may choose to ask your pediatrician about yeast. You may choose to read Feast without Yeast by Bruce Semon as a tendency toward yeast infections may recur if this is an issue.

One cream that works good on sensitive skin for itching is Aveeno Anti-itch cream. You should try using it on the outside area of her vaginal area and see if that works. My daughter has eczema so I put a little of that along with her doctor prescribed medication so that she doesn't scratch the affected areas and that works well. She likes putting it on too because it sooths the itching. You should definitely ask your doctor first and see if they recommend you using it.

I read some of the things a lot of people responded and they said same thing I would have said and suggested. Cut out bubble bath, check the detergents you may be using to wash clothes with and give her yogurt which would have helped to take away the yeast infection. If the itching stops, stop the yogurt and see what were the problems if you haven't tried the stopping detergents first and continued itching so that is not the answer. You may want to try all these things to find out what is the really reason for the itching. If the yogurt is helping and nothing seemed to be the problem, which taking everything out and stopping the yogurt, it may be the yeast infection or something. That is when you have to go to the pediatrician and expect something to be taken care of. I hate using antibiotics on my children or any prescription, just do it naturally such as eating yogurt once a day and it will help. Do what you feel is best for your child, you're her mother. Hope all goes well and I'll pray for you for Wisdom and for her to have it stop itching.

Hi K.,
Has your doctor checked for yeast or any bacterial infection? Also, be sure she's wiping properly and not getting poo in the vaginal/urethral area.
Good luck