Vaginal Symptoms-Child

When To Call

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Could be from sexual abuse
• Vaginal Bleeding
• Severe genital pain
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Vaginal discharge
• Fever is present
• Pain or burning when passing urine
• Vaginal pain
• Vaginal foreign object suspected
• Genital area looks infected (such as spreading redness, draining sore)
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Vaginal itching lasts more than 3 days using this care advice
• Vaginal itching is a frequent problem
• Mild rash of genital area lasts more than 3 days using this care advice
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Soap vulvitis suspected as cause of itching
• Mild skin rash of genital area

Care Advice

Soap Vulvitis - Treatment

What You Should Know About Soap Vulvitis:

• Genital itching in young girls is most often caused by soap (especially bubble bath). The vulva area is sensitive to the drying effect of soap.
• Only clean the genitals with warm water.
• After puberty, soap can be tolerated.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Baking Soda Baths - Young Girls Only:

• Soak for 10 minutes to remove germs and to help with healing.
• Add 2 ounces (60 mL) baking soda per tub of warm water.
• Reason: baking soda is better than vinegar for young girls.
• During soaks, be sure she spreads her legs. This allows the water to cleanse the genitals.
• Repeat baking soda soaks 2 times per day for 2 days.

Steroid Cream for Itching:

• Put a tiny amount of 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) on the genitals.
• No prescription is needed.
• Use after soaks for 1 or 2 days. Do not use more than 2 days.

Prevention - Do Not Use Soaps:

• Do not use bubble bath, soap and shampoo in the bath water. They can cause the genitals to be red, sore or itchy.
• Only use warm water to cleanse the genitals.
• Baby oil can be used to remove any dried body fluids.
• After puberty, soap can be used.

What to Expect:

• If soap is the cause, symptoms should go away within 2 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Itching lasts over 48 hours using this care advice
• Vaginal discharge or bleeding occurs
• Passing urine becomes painful
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Mild Skin Rash near Genital Area - Treatment

What You Should Know about Genital Rashes:

• Rashes can be caused by skin irritants. The hand may touch the genital area when passing urine. Rashes are commonly from an irritant that was on the hands.
• Examples are a plant (such as an evergreen) or chemicals (such as bug repellents). Fiberglass, pet saliva or even food can also be irritants.
• Most small rashes can be treated at home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Clean the Area:

• Wash the area once with soap to remove any irritants.

Steroid Cream for Itching:

• For itchy rashes, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Do this 2 times per day for a few days.

Antibiotic Ointment for Infections:

• For any cuts, sores or scabs that look infected, put on an antibiotic ointment. An example is Polysporin. No prescription is needed.
• Use 2 times per day until seen.

What to Expect:

• Small rashes from irritants should go away in 2 days with treatment.

Prevention of Rashes:

• Teach your daughter to wash her hands if they are dirty.
• Have her clean her hands before touching her genital area.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Rash spreads or gets worse
• Rash lasts more than 3 days
• Fever occurs
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.