The vulva includes all the outer genitals in females, including the vagina and urethra (where wee drains from).
The vulva includes all the outer genitals in females. Because the skin around the vulva can be thin in younger tamariki, it can become easily irritated and inflamed. There are several ways you can help to care for this skin to lessen the chance of irritation.
Common symptoms that your child may experience if their vulval skin is irritated include:
See the KidsHealth page on vulval conditions in children to learn more [1]
You do not need to use soap to clean your child's vulval area, water is fine. Treat the skin of the vulval area very gently, do not over-wash the area.
To stop the skin from becoming irritated, avoid the following things:
Always encourage your child to wee when they first feel the need to go. Don’t use nappy wipes to wipe the vulva area. Instead, you can use a paper towel wet with tap water to clean the area.
It is important to consider clothing and laundry options, as some washing products and tight clothing can irritate the vulva. Things that can help include:
If your child has played sports or been active, change them out of their sports clothes as soon as possible after exercise. Remove swimming costumes soon after swimming. Where possible, avoid lengthy activities that put direct pressure on the vulva, such as bike and horse riding.
If your child does have some irritation around the vulva, you can try a vinegar bath. Vinegar baths can help to prevent mild infections in the vulva and may relieve itch. Add ½ a cup of white vinegar to a shallow bath. Allow your child to sit and soak in it for up to 15 minutes. Depending on their symptoms, your child can have a vinegar bath anywhere from once a week to twice a day.
You can make a cool compress with paper towels and water and apply it to the vulva to relieve itch. Place it in the underwear like a sanitary pad. This can be particularly helpful after exercise.
Encourage your child to avoid scratching the area. Scratching can cause the itch to worsen, and the area can become more irritated after scratching.
Do not use any medication or creams on the genital area that haven’t been prescribed for your child. The vulva skin is more sensitive than other skin, so if your child does need cream, your doctor will advise the right one to use.
Your doctor can prescribe a fragrance-free barrier cream such as a zinc cream. This can be applied throughout the day and can relieve itch and dryness.
If your child has itch or irritation around the vulva, which is not settling with simple measures, take them to the doctor.
See the doctor as soon as possible if your child has any of the following symptoms:
There are several different causes of vulval itch and irritation. If your child needs treatment, your doctor will discuss this with you.
See the KidsHealth page on vulval conditions in children to learn more [1]
Illustration by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
This page last reviewed 31 August 2023.
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Links
[1] https://kidshealth.org.nz/vulval-conditions-children
[2] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Vulval_skin_care_for_girls/
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2825%3Flanguage%3Den