to not really want to be brushed off about this?

[SingingSamosa]

Posting here for traffic as much as anything really.

My 6.5 year old DD (middle child) has suffered pretty much all her life with what seems like really bad nappy rash in her privates. It doesn't affect her bum, just her actual labia but all the way up and back. The doctors originally told me it was bacterial vaginosis when she was a baby and I had prescription cream for it (Timodine). Despite hourly nappy changes she'd still get it and it was so so sore. They told me it would disappear when she started potty training but she was potty trained at 2 and it still comes back periodically.

We have been back to the doctors numerous times - she was even referred to a paediatrician at one point but they've all said there's no bacterial or fungal issue (from swabs). They think the main issue is that she doesn't manage to wipe away all her wee when she goes to the loo but she tries so hard to do this yet it still comes back. I (and she) apply nappy cream when it starts to get a bit sore again but it's not that effective.

Last night I was up with her for two hours whilst she screamed in pain and her labia were very inflamed and red looking. Eventually a cold flannel, some Calpol, cuddles and lashings of nappy cream eventually soothed her enough to get her to sleep but I'm at my wits' end! Medical professionals have said that there's nothing more they can do. It's horrible hearing her sob and scream and not be able to do anything about it

Surely they can't just fob her off like this? I've watched her wipe after she's been for a wee and there's not any discernible difference in how she does to how her big sister or I do it.

She is a bit of a precious snowflake type in terms of sensitivity - she can't bear wearing certain clothes because they irritate her skin, she can't stand loud or high noises etc. I've always thought this type of 'super sensitivity' was more of a psychological thing that children had than an actual physical thing but perhaps she has very sensitive privates?

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? (Sorry for the long post!!)

Sometimes using things with petroleum in can make the problem worse as your skin gets used to it, so it gets drier meaning you need to use more of it.

T tree ess. oil is a natural anti biotic and fungicide it is used for conditions that don't respond to steroids or normal ABs. (or if you don't want to use steroids on delicate areas) It works incredibly well and I don't understand why it hasn't been mentioned ,except by me .

I agree about petroleum jelly products not being ideal purplebag

ppeatfruit

Tea tree oil is amazing stuff. I suffered with impetigo for years as a teenager, looked like I had a scarlet moustache
Eventually I started using neat tea tree oil on it twice a day and after about a month it disappeared...for good! It's never come back!

The thing is, she doesn't have it all the time - I've just re-read my OP and realised that I didn't mention it being an intermittent issue. She gets it maybe once a month or once every two months and after a few days of cold flannels and nappy cream it goes again. It's definitely not as bad as it used to be - she'd be like this at least once a week, about year/two years ago.

So I'm not convinced it's a wiping problem, because if it was she'd be like this all of the time. I'm wondering if it is psoriasis, given the family history of it, but will see what the dermatologist says when we see him/her (having now finally had a referral).

My lichen sclerosis has always been intermittent...

Yes as Earslaps says you can use it intermittently. I do. I use it neat too, but for a child maybe better mixed with filtered water.

It's cured my cat's bad eye too!! Mixed with water . I LOVE it.

First of all, the vagina needs only air and water to keep itself clean and no perfumed ointments or soaps. If anyone, from babies to the elderly have problems in the vaginal area consult a Doctor, insist on a referral nif necessary, This could be Lichen Sclerosis which is rare, mutant and incurable, Treated correctly it can be kept in remission.

Turnet, oooh that sounds horrid. My lichen sclerosis burnt out many years ago thank goodness. I'm left with a few tight patches of skin but it's all very manageable. I did have to have post burn out surgery to reshape my lady bits .

It was intermittent years ago when it was active. I'm constantly checking my daughter for signs but apparently it's more common in boys/men. So I need to be advising my son too.

OP I hope you get the appointment you need soon. If it is LS its best treated aggressively and early to avoid the scarring. I do sincerely hope it's not LS.