Vaginal Ithcing or Irritation

Symptom Definition

• Genital area pain, burning or itching
• No pain or burning with urination, no vaginal discharge
• (Main cause of irrirtation in young girls is a soap irritation of the vulva or outer vagina (soap vulvitis) from bubble bath, shampoo or other soap)

See More Appropriate Topic

• If pain or burning with urination, see Pain with Urination
• If itching of the anus is main symptom, see Pinworms

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Could be from sexual abuse

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) 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 after on treatment for 2 days

Parent Care at Home

• Probable chemical/soap vulvitis and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Soap Vulvitis (Pending talk with doctor)

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 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 > 48 hours
   • Vaginal discharge or bleeding occurs
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms