4 1/2 Yr Old daughter...itching/burning Genitile Area

Looks like you got a lot of good responses. My daughter had the same problem. I'll start with, she has a slight dairy allergy and exeama( sorry about the spelling). When she has a milk product she will get red inflamed spots that itch. She gets them on her legs, rounds of her bottom, behind her knees, genitile area, under arms, elbow creases, and recently on her face. Also her feet look dry, peel, and crack and its all exeama. On her genitile area I was told to use only A&D onitment. The rest I was told to use hydrocordizone cream lightly. I was also told not to give her a bath every day, unles muddy or some major dirt. Water inflames it more, also the alergist told us to use Cerave lotion because it penitrates the layers better. I found it at Walgreens for about $13. Good luck!!

Maybe she is allergic to the soap you are using on her in those areas. Just a thought. Try switching to something else.

R.

Hi M.,

I go through the same thing with my 8 yr. old. This has been going on for a few years. First, I have her take a clear water bath - no soap or shampoo. I have her use the wet wipes instead of toilet paper. I also use over the counter Monistat. It usually clears up in a couple of days. I put in on topically like a diaper ointment. I also try to get her to drink more water and cut out the high sugar and carbonated drinks. Mine is more prone to the itching after a few days of swimming - if she doesn't get out of her wet suit right away and dry off. Mine also is prone to bladder infections. Luckily, she likes water and hasn't had any infections all summer.

Hi,

I make organic herbal salves and have heard from friends and customers that one of the salves works very well for irritation in the genetil area.

One friend in particular has a 7-year-old daughter with a history of vaginal irritation. The daughter only wants my superhealer applied to her. She says it feels good and she likes the way it smells. I'd be happy to send you a sample, free of charge. If it works, you can tell other Mamasource readers about it!

Give me you address and I'll put one in the mail today.

Good luck!

my daughter constantly has the same thing, especially before she was potty trained. every time she wasn't wiped properly at day care she had the same symptoms. the best is to give her warm baths every night with NO bubbles or bath stuff, or soap "down there" and put some anti fungal cream like lotrimin the stuff for athlete's foot "down there". if she complains of stomach aches or has a fever have her pedatrician check for a bladder infection. when it's just an irritation it's usually vaginitis. i hope this helps.
T.

my daugther who is 10 just went this pass summer and come to find out it was the toilet paper she was using. (charmin) i only realize this becuase i cant use it and my mother does and just so happen my daughter spend at lot time with her while i was at work and on the weekend. but make sure she drinks at lot of cranbery juice (mixed flavor) and try northern, white clouds, soft n gentle and eat yogurt.

M.,
When you took your daughter to the pediatrician, did they check for yeast? If not, that may be what is going on with her. To give her some relief, you might try an Aveeno Oatmail Bath.

Good Luck.

I know many people have mentioned a yeast infection, but it could also be a urinary tract infection. My daughter (just turned 3) was just diagnosed with one. She had no rash, was itchy. Eventually it grew worse instead of better.

Anyway, good luck, I hope it's something as easy as making sure that she's in cotten panties and wiping correctly.

HI..I have a 4-1/2 Grandaughter doing the same thing. I've learned from her Kindergarten teacher that she "wipes" herself without assistance....but at home, I help her. I then watched her and she was wiping from the front, even when having a bowel movement. This is what is causing the burning and itching. I am teaching her to wipe from the back and am putting neosporin on both her anal and vagina area. It is helping. Hope this helps too.....
Signed,
Loving Nonie Becca

I make a skin calming agent in my skincare line -- rash relief -- that you might try. It's a mild solution (I'd recommend the oil for your daughter's application) that uses about 13 different essential oils known to calm skin irritation. Many have used it successfully to treat hives, topical yeast infection (such as under the breast or in the groin area), eczema and more. Let me know if you'd like to try a sample and I can give you some tips.

Wow, you've gotten so much advice. A couple things I've experienced problems with is laundry detergent and hot tubs. Try changing your detergent or using less to makes sure her cloths are getting rinsed well and the hot tub has at times proven to be to much for sensitive little girl parts. The advice about bubble baths is important and checking for pin worms. looking into a yeast problem is a really good idea. If your pron to yeast infections maybe she is having a over growth too. My oldest daughter just went through this and I took her to the doctor and they told me the same as you . Thank goodness no pin worm but we really don't know what it ever was.It went away . So best wishes to you.

Hi M.,

I agree with everything posted so far. My daughter has the same problem, and it was always worse after a bath or after she's had to take antibiotics. I have extremely sensitive skin and I am VERY prone to yeast infections, so the poor thing inherited both from her mom.

Our doctor told me not to use ANY soap at all during her bath until the very end and then to rinse her really well. Absolutely no bubble bath. She is NEVER to sit in any soapy water.

As far as the yeast goes, if your daughter has recently been on antibiotics, that may have caused that. My daughter's doctor now prescribes a probiotic every time he prescribes her antibiotics. One that was recommended to us that you can buy over the counter at Longs or probably any other pharmacy is Culturelle. It comes in capsules, and I was instructed to open the capsules and sprinkle the powder on her breakfast. It has no flavor at all, and she's never minded it. This particular one has also been used with infants who have skin rashes, so it's safe and proven to work.

Almost forgot to mention, yogurt is a great thing too. It has probiotics but not as many as in the capsules. If your daughter likes yogurt, encourage her to eat it on a daily basis. You can even disguise it in smoothies, etc. Limit her sugar intake too, as yeast thrive on sugar.

Hope that helps!!

Hello M.,
You may want to switch the detergent that you're using to washing their undies. It may be causing the irritation. Also, you will want to wash the undies separate and do a double rinse to be sure the soap is rinsed clear from the fabric. I had a similiar case with a previous common washing soap. We switch to one called SA8 and no longer have issues. Also, bubble bath cause irritation too.
Best wishes, V.

Could it be a yeast infection?

T.

My twin girls experience the same thing once in a while. I put a panty liner in their undies and apply some OTC yeast cream (monastat, but you can use generic which I do). That area gets hot and moist and yeast can grow. Usually within 24 hrs its all gone.
L.

My 2 1/2 year old gets that too when it seems like she may have had too much sugar in her diet (a couple of biscuits or something else small like that). I give her children's pro-biotics and that seems to help. I get it in a powder form and put it in her cereal.

Good luck.

Good idea to have Pediatrician check for yeast infection...can happen alot especially in the summer because warm, moist environment...Can also give your daughter yogurt to help. Because as women we are taught and in turn teach our daughters to wipe from front to back...this could be why irritation is showing up a little further back...Good Luck!

Hello Mariln,
My daughter is also the same age and has similar problems. We called an advisory nurse and she said to bathe her in a 1/4 cup baking soda up to 3 times a day if possible, but even once does help. She said to put 1% hydrocortisone cream in that area and also make sure not to leave her long in the bath with soapy water. We did that and she was better in just a couple days. I don't really understand the cause. We keep our daughter very clean. Someone said maybe it's the acid in something she is eating that is irritating her???

If you are using bubble bath....PLEASE stop. My youngest who is now 28 took a bath and her sisters decided to make "more' bubbles. We were at ER because of these same symptoms. What freaked us out was while we were waiting for lab results, the Dr came out to say that it was going to be either "ghonereah" (not even sure how to spell this) OR bubble bath. We were floored of course as what extremes of the spectrum to say either STD or body and bath soap....come on now....AND she just began a new day care. SO...in our minds we were sifting thru the teachers, janitors, Uncles and anyone else she may have been around...before they came back with "BUBBLE BATH". Talk about a sigh of relief. Meanwhile she also had a pin worm from this school... they were always washing down the restrooms with bleach, so it seemed clean, but someone else had it or she could have gotten it in the sand box...and touched her nose, etc. to enter her body. They told us the way to see if she had a pin worm was to look at her bottom while she was sleeping as mother pin worms come out while the child sleeps to plant eggs around the rectum area.....so with flash light in hand I looked to see if one came out...THERE before my eyes was the pinworm out trying to lay eggs on my "baby girl". I got that sucker like I was protecting her from an alien!!! I believe she was also on antibiotics. But to see that tiny worm outside of her was unbelievable....and the only chance we had of getting it was to do as they said...and there it was. THANK GOD there was only one of them. I did keep checking a few days to be sure, though.
I hope you firstly get rid of the bubble bath. Next find the flash light! Also with girls... NO colored or perfumed tissue and no colored lined panties. Use white cotton lined panties if they are any color besides white. They have dyes that could cause yeast infection. Be careful with new dark jeans. Also I washed my kids clothes before they wore them until about 8 or so. And I am sorry but I am not liking your Dr's response. You may need to seek out a new one of those also. What DID they suggest for her to RELIEVE the itching and burning?

Hi,
Make sure she wears all 100%cotton undies and try a little cortisone cream especially in the anal area. this may help. I suggest changing to fragrance free and dye free laundry detergent.

Hello
Jennifer French here, these symptoms of burning and itching can be from the soap you are using to wash her, detergent you wash clothes with, not wiping properly (back to front),or bladder infection. Other than that this is what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls damp heat in the lower area. This can be treated with herbal remedies, massage and or Acupuncture.

thanks
Jennifer French L.Ac.
www.pearlmoon.us

Could your daughter be diabetic? Sometimes that burning and itching is a sign of candida, a yeast infection. In someone that young, it could be a sign of diabetes. Any other signs, excessive thirst, excessive weight gain, excesive unexplained weight loss, blurred vision. I'd see a pediatric endocrinologist.

Hi~
I use "Calming Milk Bath with Lavendar & Chamomile" made by Baby Magic (lavender colored bottle) for my little girl. I bathe her in it and use it as a shampoo. After the bath, I have her stand up and rinse off with the shower nozzle. -I also make sure she is VERY DRY in that area after bath, shower, or potty. I blot the area well and apply Johnson's Medicated Baby Powder (the one with the yellow top). It works wonders! :o)
~M.

Try a pediatric urologist and do it now. You could take care of this quickly if you have the right doctor. I am shocked that your pediatrician didn't recommend a pediatric urologist.

Think of changing pediatricians as well. That is inexcuseable.

She may need extra assistance wiping. Help her with front-to-back technique, and maybe use some "unpetrolum" jelly or other salve to soothe the area. I had a similar problem with my daughter, at a similar age and this is what we did. she seems to have outgrown it, but also has had a bladder infection, which i thought she was a bit young for. perhaps some folk are just more prone than others...

After your doc has ruled out things like yeast and UTI...

Ty a baking soda bath (this is especially good if irriation is cuased by soap, bubble bath, swimming). Just like it sounds. Clear, lukewarm water, sprinkle in some baking soda, and have her flush (like splash with her hands) the water toward her vagina.

Hi M.,

Just wondering does your daughter take a lot of bubble baths? If she does that could be the cause. A lot of childrens bubble baths can cause irritation. Just a thought

As the others have said, diet, urinary infection or soap or bubble bath that you may be using. good luck.

When my daughter was small she had the same problem. It turned out to be bubble bath. I stopped using anything in her bath, just washed her with gentle soap, and the problem went away. Worth a try.

Add about a cup of vinegar to her bath. It helps to fight fungus and other stuff. Also some garlic oil can help the itching and fights off stuff plus you can put it on any time. It could also be a ring worm/jock itch type of thing. It does sound a little like yeast. These are all types of Fungi. Good luck

You've been given some great advice, and hopefully it is something as simple as bubble bath, but you also do need to rule out std's. It's a pretty simple test, and you can be in the room for it, it shouldn't even be much more than an exam, except with a swabbing. Better safe than sorry, as the damage is only compounded when it isn't dealt with. No one wants to assume the worst, even though it does happen.

My daughters all had the same issue and the daughter swab there bottom to see if it’s strep. If it is then the doctor prescribes antibiotics. The only solution to apply is Lotrimin ointment and Hydrocortisone together around the itch area. 100% Hanes underwear is the best to help with the result.

Good Luck

Dear M.,
Sorry your little one is so uncomfortable.
This could be caused by a million different reasons.
She might not be getting enough air to her little parts. Or wiping properly after she goes potty. It could be laundry detergent, fabric softener, or something she uses in the bath.
It could be a yeast infection which even little babies get with wearing diapers.
I recommend first starting by putting Aveeno or baking soda in the bath water and then letting her get as much air as possible. Only after she is throroughly dry, a sprinkling of corn starch might help. You may need to get a yeast ointment for her which should clear it up. Try changing soaps and laundry products. Be as gentle with her little tushy as possible.

Best of wishes!

Wow, so much for you to read. NO matter what the cause of her irritation I will add, buy her white 100% cotton underware and make sure they are not snug. Plus, take note to the style of pants and that they are not too snug in that area.

Try changing your bath soap and/or your detergent. Cut out bubble bath if you use it. Perhaps she's gotten sensitive to the soap. You may find you have to do this periodically as she becomes sensitized to the soap. Good luck!

First off she may have pretty sensitive skin at least in that area! My daughter does - also 4 1/2!

We do not use any soap in the bath tub - No bubble baths and I'm careful about what and how much detergent I use on her panties. Liquid detergent costs more but rinses out pretty clean with out 2 and 3 rinses.

Even "baby soap" can irritate sensitive skin down there!

Hope that helps.
K.

You might want to check into candida issues. Either that or food allergies. My daughter was similar until we found out she has intolerances to gluten, dairy and soy. Once we removed these from her diet she hasn't had the issue anymore.

Good luck!

When my sister and I were little every time we had a strange itch/irritation in that area my mother put goldenseal root powder all over it. We called it "pussy powder" and it worked really, really well. It stains though so make sure she is wearing dark underwear.

Have you ruled out yeast and urinary tract infections?

Seems you have plenty of advice to read. Besides what others have said, yeast infection, soap/bubble baths, using cotton underwear...etc, I would make sure she's cleaning in between her "folds". I need to use a q-tip with my 17 month old to make sure it's clean or she will start scratching and hurting herself during a diaper change. It gets itchy due to sweat. My older daughter was taught to really clean it down there. Also washing off all the soap during her bath. If it's not a hygiene problem, I would see if she's drinking something that's too acidic? Sometimes food allergies can do that as well. My daughter is allergic to some fruits which can cause the bottom area to burn and sting. If she had reoccurring diaper rash as a baby, she might have a food allergy that you're not aware of. Hope all of our advice can help you resolve the problem. Good luck!

I would try three things: 1. Eliminate sugar (juices, treats) and carbohydrates from her diet as much as possible; 2. Use dye free detergent for her clothing and 3. Buy Tea Tree Soap at Trader Joes or a Health Food Store to bathe her with, at least her "private parts." I am 39 years old and have fought yeast infections my entire life, but the above combination has worked really well for me for over half of my life. Some persons have an un-naturally high yeast content to their body and things such as sugar and soap can tend to send it over the edge. I also take a natural pro-biotic daily and you can consult with your doctor about that. Good luck to you.

Hi M.,
I know a lot of people have mentioned that this could be a yeast infection and that soap, laundry detergent, etc. can contribute to the issue. I went through a year where I had several yeast infections (and I wipe correctly!), and my gyn suggested that I treat the infection and stop using any fragranced products. I switched to unscented soap, "free and clear" laundry detergents (several brands make one), and stopped using dryer sheets (use dryer balls -- rubber [i think] balls that work like dryer sheets without the chemicals -- you can get them at drug stores like Walgreen's). I haven't had another yeast infection since (it has been over a decade). However, I would strongly suggest taking your daughter to the pediatrician as there could be causes other than yeast.

I have had similar complaints from my daughter. I believe when she wipes her bottom she is wiping from back to front, rather than front to back. Where I see a little red or pink, outside of her anal and private area, and it looks a little irritated, I put a small amount of an ointment called "Vitacilina" which I purchase at the local Mexican or Latin American grocery store. I put it on her at night right before bed, and tell her to try not to scratch or touch that area so the medicine can do it's job. The next morning, she is usually pain and itch free, and if it still bothers her, I put a little more ointment in the rash area. This ointment is very light, and works will with sensitive, since my daughter's skin is super sensitive. I hope this helps!

M.,

I have been having similar issues with my 19 month old daughter, I have taken her to the Dr. several times, the first time he thought she had a yeast infection so he perscribed a Nystatian (spelling is way off, but thats how its pronounced) based cream.. for about 2 days her rash went away and came back with avengence, it turned red and angry, lifted off her skin and blistered, it looked like a burn, so I took her back and he prescribed this time Bacatracin (again spelling) for a bacterial infection, this time with the first application of the cream she looked 10 times better! We used the whole tube, changed diaper brands, no longer take baths only showers, now she still gets a rash but its managable with diaper rash cream and frequent diaper changes (before the infection I would changed her about 6-10 times a day and now I change her 10-14 times a day) Our Dr. at our 18 month appointment also reccomended that I give her a 1/4 teaspoon of Mylanta 2 times a day to help with acid from her diet, as she can't drink cows milk so we get her calicum intake from watered out orange juice.. I did up her intake of Mlyanta to almost a full teaspoon in 2 servings (almost 1/2 teaspoon morning and night) and that seems to make even more of a difference, she hasn't had a break out in almost 3 weeks, and this is something we have been battling since we stopped breast feeding when she was 15months..

I would be persistant with your Dr. if a change is household routines (shower vs. bath, and laundry soap change) isn't helping, my Mom seems to think I should be even pushier than I have been with my Ped, but my ped has assured me that issue's like my daughters usually go away once we get out of diapers which are bacteria breeding grounds, so I am doing what I can now until she is ready to potty train..

Good Luck!
X.

Little ones don't always clean themselves very good after using the restroom which can cause irritation much like sweating can. My daughter had this problem too. I would use powder after her bath and at times had to use diaper rash ointment. She may also be drinking juice that is too acidic for her causing the irritation so limit juices or water them down.

Have you doctor check to see if it's a yeast infection because that's what it sounds like. Or they do have those tests you can buy at the store to see if it is a yeast infection. They are with all the over the counter yeast infection medicines.
S. R

vagasil cream for women. read the label if there's a age group and ask her pediatrician. i used this for my daughter at a very young age (now 24) and it worked like a charm. Use it sparingly. Note: i didn't ask the pediatrician, i just did it. the cause is not wiping the area very well. Use a warm towel to clean then apply the cream.

she could be touching herself. She might be checking out her body. I remember my son was around 3 when he started to notice mommy looked different than him. That's when I had to start covering up more.