6yo DD with itchy lady bits

[franch]

Am completely stumped on this one and would welcome any ideas.

6yo DD2 has had a constantly, intensely itchy vulva since half term. No visible discharge or any other symptoms. GP did a swab and prescribed Canesten which we used on her for about 2 weeks with no improvement. Swab came back negative for thrush (although we're told it's notoriously hard to get any result at that age).

Have switched to a 'sensitive' detergent, and have tried putting baking soda in her bath. She always has E45 emollient in her bath and uses no soap. She sleeps with no pants/PJ bottoms.

Threadworm was going round at school; this didn't seem likely but we treated her anyway. Still no joy.

Advice please - it's getting awful for the poor thing - she tries not to scratch, but when she does adults keep asking her if she needs the loo. It really has been going on far too long.

Oh - I gave her Activia yogurt drinks for a week or so too.

No idea on causes, but pure aloe vera gel has helped me with the same problem.

Thanks Thistle. I do need something just to deal with the symptoms while we search for a cause (or just wait for it to go). That sounds perfect, thanks

Oooh poor little girl?

You seem to have covered all the options.
I would try a good thick layer of live plain yoghurt on her vulva then a pair of cotton knickers for overnight (I know with adults you apply it internally but I wouldn't fancy doing that to my DD)

Plenty of water to keep her hydrated too .I used to get thrush after cystitus, which I got when I got dehydrated.

Lemon barley water? Supposed to make pee more neutral.
Does she complain of pain when she pees? I'd imagine it's painful if she's itchy and scratching.

That should be girl ! not ?.

Did the GP check her urine for infection?

Thanks Lord and BB. Good advice Lord.

No pain when she pees and no symptoms of UTI; no, the GP didn't check for that BB.

She has a day off on Fri so I think I'll take her back to the GP then if no improvement. I suspect she won't have any answers though. DH is a medic and is equally stumped.

Does your little girl has eczema? If so, could it be vulva eczema?

My DD suffers from this periodically. We haven't found a definite cause (although I suspect that very cursory bum wiping after using the toilet may be a factor).

A thin application of Sudocrem seems to help DD.

Thanks all, really helpful ideas.

DD2 doesn't get eczema and there are no signs, but there is eczema in the family so it's possible.

Sudocrem is a good idea piprabbit. I also have Metanium in the cupboard - wonder if this would be ok.

She does drink OJ, RRR. That's an interesting possibility.

Could it possibly be lichen sclerosis? I have no personal experience, but my dd's best friend has it (its under control these days, with steroid creams as and when needed) and the itching was awful for her. I think she was 6 when it started, and it bothered her a lot at school.
Its fairly unusual, but not rare iyswim - would think a GP would think of it - but maybe worth mentioning to doc?

Snap, Elibean. OP, please do ask your GP to consider this - can be serious if not kept under control

I had chronic thrush from an early age. I would try an oral anti fungal as well as canesten.

Thanks Elibean and CS. I did come across that when googling, but dismissed it as the skin looks completely normal and healthy.

Will mention it though - and oral antifungal - if I go back to the GP on Fri (which looks likely).

LS can present differently in children I think.