Vaginal Itching or Irritation

Pediatric HouseCalls Online

DEFINITION

  • Genital area burning or itching in your girls
  • No pain or burning with urination, no vaginal discharge.

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

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 9 am and 4 pm) 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 on treatment over 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 FOR SOAP VULVITIS

  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
    • Your child becomes worse

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

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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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.

Copyright:Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.

Last Review Date: 9/3/2006

Last Revised: 8/5/2006 2:20:46 PM

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

Version Year: 2006

Copyright 1994-2006 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Is Your Child Sick?

Pediatric HouseCalls Online is a guide for treating your child at home, calling your child's doctor or seeking immediate medical attention. Developed by Dr. Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician on staff at The Children’s Hospital. Dr. Schmitt has developed health tools for parents, including Pediatric HouseCalls Online, the Parent Advice Line and his 3rd edition of Your Child’s Health, which is available in bookstores.

Are You Sick?

David A Thompson, MD is the author of Adult HouseCalls Online. He is a board-certified emergency medicine physician at MacNeal Hospital in Chicago. He has a national reputation in telephone triage, decision support tools, medical information technology and quality improvement. Adult HouseCalls Online is a decision support tool for adults that has been reviewed and approved by adult physicians.

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