Help! My Little Girl Cries when She wees!

​​Many mums have experienced  an episode when your little girl cries as she wees or even complains of soreness around her vagina. You may notice a discharge on her panties which may often be accompanied by itching around the vulval area. These symptoms may be vulvovaginitis!

What is vulvovaginitis?

Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation or irritation of the delicate skin of the genital area. It may cause soreness, itchiness, redness, and burning. Sometimes girls with vulvovaginitis have a slight discharge from the vagina which will stain the underpants and produce a strong odour.
Most often, vulvovaginitis is caused when the genital skin gets irritated. In girls, the skin in the genital area is thin and delicate. This delicate skin is easily irritated. When they grow and begin to produce their own sex hormones, pubic hair and thickened skin will develop and protect the genital area. Normal vulva skin should not look reddish or raw.

CAUSES

CLOTHING - Tight clothing,  cycling shorts,  tights, small/tight underwear,  leotards, wet clothes, bathing suits.

TOILET HABITS- waiting too long to go to the bathroom, not wiping properly after using the toilet(bringing bacteria from the anus to the vagina and skin surrounding it), not washing the genital area at bath time.

COSMETICS

Strong soaps, medicated/antiseptic  soaps, bubble baths, and perfumes and disinfectants can irritate a child's skin.

Other causes may include dampness, a skin infection, bacteria from the anus, or possibly sexual abuse (this may be a good time for that heart to heart talk with your daughter). Other skin problems, such as eczema, can also affect the genital skin. Vulvovaginitis may result from several factors occurring at the same time.

TREATMENT

Cotton underwear is the best kind for the skin

Avoid harsh soaps, medicated or antiseptic soaps use around the genital area.

It is okay to use just water to wash the vaginal area.Soap changes the pH (natural environment of the vaginal area) which could lead to dryness and subsequent infections.

Children should be taught good hygiene practises,  wiping from front to back, voiding (passing urine) on time, wearing clean and dry underwear. Your child needs to learn how to take care of her genital area. It is an important part of her body that needs special cleaning, just as her teeth need special care. In this way, she will learn that this is her body and she has a responsibility to care for it. Young children should be assisted to  clean the genital area at bath time with water (no harsh soaps or antiseptic required). Children should change out of dirty or wet /tight fitting underwear as soon as possible.

Encourage your little girl not to scratch her bottom because scratching can cause more irritation and infection.

Sometimes, there may be an infection that may be treated with antibiotics. 

If the skin is very sore, bathe the genital area and pat dry with a soft towel or use a hairdryer at low (cool) setting.  No vigorous rubbing with scratchy towels! 

If your child develops skin irritation in the genital area, develops an odour in the area, or has discharge from the vagina, she should see your family doctor or paediatrician. Depending on the problem and how severe the symptoms are, the doctor may refer her to a gynaecology clinic.

The gynaecologist will ask questions about your child's health and do a physical examination. The doctor will want to make sure that there is no infection or skin problem that needs treatment. Sometimes, a small vaginal swab will be taken very gently to look for infection. If there has been any bleeding, the doctor may need to examine further.

The doctor will also ask questions and examine your child to make sure that she has not been subject to any sexual abuse. Tell your child what the examination is about, using words she can understand. The goal is to let your child feel comfortable with the examination and make sure she does not have a painful or frightening experience.

Though I have focused on girls in this article, the same rules apply for women as well.However if a woman has a vaginal infection, it may also be necessary for her sexual partner to get treated as well. This is called "contact tracing" to ensure she doesn't go back to a potential reservoir of infection (in this case her partner).

Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Stay Healthy!

Cheers.

Esther