Vaginal soreness in 11yr old

[moomoo2626]

My 11 yr old has complained of soreness for the last few weeks. It isn't itchy just generally sore and if she doesn't drink much it stings after she's had a wee. Sudacrem stings as does another cream I tried but can't remember the name of. Conotrane cream seems to be the most soothing but isn't really clearing it up. Any advice anyone. TIA

Definitely get it checked by a doctor .

Has she been tested for a UTI?

Maybe a UTI please don't put any more cream on. Speak to a GP.

Does she like bath bombs and bubble baths? Those can cause vulva and vaginal irritation.

Have you shown her how to gently clean down there? She may be cleaning too aggressively with harsh soap or shower gel down there.

Third possibility is thrush infection which can present as soreness instead of itching if mostly external. Have you tried a canestan creme?

If the stinging when she pees is towards the front where her clitoris is, then I agree might be a UTI. Sometimes children have trouble knowing exactly where it hurts.

Check for worms, even without itching when she is awake. They can cause soreness for girls.

She previously had a UTI that needed 2 courses of antibiotics so needed a test done to make sure was clear now, that has shown no infection.

She doesn't have a bath and has recently come out in a rash on her chest following a change in washing powder so not using any soap products at all. Actually thinking about it the soreness followed the change in washing powder too so I'm wondering if it caused it.

I will check she's gentle when washing.

Umm never thought about worms.

It's almost impossible to get through to out GP's at the moment so was trying to sort it myself if possible first.

When it stings after going to the loo it's stinging more in the middle than at the front and she does describe it as different to the stinging she got when she had the UTI

So, thrush or thread worms not yet ruled out. Visit the pharmacist. No reason why you couldn’t start treatment for both.

More rare...hate to mention it...but
You know she’s not sexually active right? No concerns about abuse either?

@PlanDeRaccordement

So, thrush or thread worms not yet ruled out. Visit the pharmacist. No reason why you couldn’t start treatment for both.

More rare...hate to mention it...but
You know she’s not sexually active right? No concerns about abuse either?

Defintely not sexually active or abuse concerns. She's home educated and with me all the time.

Yes good idea to treat for threadworms and thrush. Thanks

You haven't changed the toilet paper brand have you?

Quite a good info sheet: ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/clinical_depts/paediatrics/documents/patient_info/PAE044_Vulvovaginitis_in_young_girls.pdf

Could be all sorts, but you need to take her to the doc.

Look up LS and check her out.

From an early age (5 onwards) I have had recurring bouts of thrush and cystitis.. no known reason...

If the washing powder has brought her out in a rash on the chest it could easily be her knickers washed in the same powder irritating her. I would gather all her undies and put through a wash in plain water.

Do you actually mean vaginal soreness or vulva soreness as I would have thought the cause is different for both.

loo roll with added "lotion" irritates me.

DD had something similar. Was prescribed Epaderm for washing down there, which sorted it out for us. But agree with others about persevering re Dr appointment.

Agree with others - treat for threadworms (which can themselves cause vaginal irritation); also changes in the vaginal flora and hormones as girls approach menstruation can also cause thrush.

So I’d try Ovex, canesten cream, then GP if it doesn’t clear - plus cut down on sugary foods, don’t use fragranced bath products but rinse with fresh water, avoid wearing tights or tight jeans/jeggings all the time, let her vulva get a bit of air at night, make sure all her pants are cotton and washed on a high temp, agree with pp on replacing any bleached/fragranced/coloured loo paper.

Oh and yes to replacing fragranced washing liquid with unfragranced, eg Surcare.

I have had worms twice and my only symptoms were pain in the vulva. No itching. It won't hurt to take an ovex tablet.

I think the most likely answer is irritation or thrush from the washing powder, as she had a rash after washing powder change. Speak to pharmacist and get her some cream, obviously contact GP if it continues. I’d give her antihistamine as well for a week or so as it may help if it is an allergic reaction to the powder. Poor girl, hope shes better soon.

I would ask her to have a few warm baths for a while,, no soaps or anything, just warm water, as it can be soothing, for lots of ailments, and you are still being cleansed.

It will probably be something simple like the washing powder like pp have suggested. However, my daughter was that age when she suffered with lichen sclerosis. It might be worth reading up on it as a possibility.