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Vaginal Itching or Irritation

Description / Symptoms

  • Genital area pain, burning or itching
  • No pain or burning with urination, no vaginal discharge

Cause

In young girls, it is usually due to 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)

When to Call Your Doctor for Vaginal Itching or Irritation

Call Your Doctor Now If:

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

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Fever is present

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Over age 10 years (Reason: soap vulvitis is unusual)
  • Vaginal irritation persists after treatment for 2 days

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

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

Steroid Cream

Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to the genital area after soaks for 1 or 2 days.

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.

Expected Course

If the symptoms are due to soap vulvitis, they should all clear within 1 to 2 days with proper treatment.

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

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2009.