First, if your child was fed any formula as a baby, please help your child and other kids by taking a short survey. Amanda from Environmental Working Group says:
"Environmental Working Group is collecting data on babies' exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic resin used to line food and formula cans, and found in low levels in formula samples. We are concerned that formula-fed babies have the most intense exposures to BPA of any age group. We've created a survey to gather food and weight information for real babies:
EWG is preparing an independent analysis of infant exposures to BPA to present to the National Institutes of Health. When the analysis is complete, EWG will send parents a customized report for their child.
The more data we collect, the more accurate our analysis will be."
Thank you!
Now, on to today's question. A mom who I'm not going to name writes:
"My five-year-old daughter has some pretty bad vaginal irritation. We've been to the doctor twice for it in the past year, and the doctor is convinced the irritation stems from my daughter playing with her genitals at night (as I don't see her doing it during the day). But my mommy instincts say this isn't the answer. My daughter sucks her thumb with one hand and usually cuddles her blanket with the other. The thought that she's also working self-stimulation into the picture in her sleep is a little much. So, the question is, if she isn't causing the rawness herself, what is?
Let me start by saying I've already ruled out molestation (it's a sad commentary on our society when this was my first thought).
I've thought about a detergent allergy, but as the redness is not on the outside skin but more inside, I'm not sure this can be the answer (though feel free to correct me). I've also considered toilet paper, but she only does a cursory wipe--that is, she doesn't dig in there--so I'm not sure that's the answer either.
Then I started wondering if something in her urine could be causing it. I know that babies can get a red ring around their anus with food allergies. Could my daughter's vaginal irritation be caused by a food allergy?
Allergies are new territory for me, so I'm not even sure where to start. As her uncle is a celiac, I've looked into a gluten allergy, but gluten appears to be more related to the intestines. Could it be a dairy allergy? She drinks more water than anything else, so it's not acid from juice that's irritating her. She's also had some behavioral change that started about the same time the vaginal irritation did (that is, she seems almost bi-polar--happy one minute, throwing a tantrum the next). Ugh, I'm just at a total loss. I'm hoping that one of your readers might have solved a similar issue with a daughter or have some ideas about what I can try to help my little girl. Vaginal pain is a terrible thing to live with."
Let me express my sincerest sympathies to your daughter. I don't think I can imagine the pain and irritation she must be suffering.
It sounds like you've ruled out the big things (gluten, dairy). Have you looked at artificial colors and flavors? What else happened around the same time this started? Did you go on a trip or anything like that?
I really need to go to the readers here, because I just can't think of anything that would cause behavioral changes and also this strange irritation that's not either sexual abuse or some of the classic behavioral triggers (artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners). Does anyone else have suggestions? Hedra? Enu? Anyone else?
I vaguely remember having vaginal issues around the same age (isn't it wonderful what our memories kindly let us forget or haze over) and one of the solutions was, again, to not wear underwear with night wear (gowns or pajamas). As I recall, the free air flow was important in keeping whatever was going on at bay.
Apparently the episode was pretty traumatic as I still am afraid that wearing underwear to bed for any reason will cause whatever had happened before to come back.
Posted by: VirginiaGal | July 24, 2007 at 10:38 AM
I've had lots of problems with detergents and soaps - and once the skin gets irritated, it's hard to let it heal. I saw a wonderful doctor who proscribed hydrocortisone but in an ointment (like vaseline) instead of a cream and after a while (weeks and months, not days) it healed nicely. Now I'm very careful about soaps, to the point where I'd never use a hotel bathtowel. It's a simple thing that would be worth checking with a gyno or a dermatologist.
Posted by: trish | July 24, 2007 at 12:49 PM
I'm much like Trish. Have to use Tide Free and Bounce Free to wash my clothes, take showers not baths, and be careful what type of soap I use in the shower. I used to have problems with itchiness (much like your daughter, only the inner folds) and my doctor traced it to the Dove soap I was using. I switched to Lever 2000 and haven't had any more trouble.
I would suggest cutting out the bubble baths, try a new soap without perfume, and let her sleep with no panties and see if that helps.
Good luck.
Posted by: FishFace | July 25, 2007 at 07:03 PM
My 4ish daughter has the same issues-- a vaginal redness ( tho in her case, she claims it doesn't itch) and a behavior shift to the Dark Side.
In our case, we do know what causes it:
tomatoes.
In any form.
Catsup is particularly evil, but a simple spaghetti dinner is enough to cause Darth Baby to emerge. Her behavior is affected for over a day. She also reacts similarly to raspberries.
So, at least in our experience, a food sensitivity isn't out of the question. We (incl. our ped/naturopath) think the behavior occurs because her body is under a higher level of stress, thus reducing her impulse control.
And while this is completely anecdotal, you might consider eliminating fruit acids for a few weeks.
Posted by: laurence | July 26, 2007 at 01:01 PM
If tomoatoes are an issue, also watch out for potatoes, peppers, and eggplant (all nightshades). Tomatoes and eggplant both 'got' M, in a variety of ways.
The other thing that causes the behavior issue is the suppression of seratonin by excess fructose in the GI tract. Low seratonin = ADHD like behavior (no impulse control, violent outbursts, mood swings). Even a small push over the line can be too far. Tomatoes are a high-fructose food, and ketchup has added high fructose corn syrup (most brands). Combo is a KILLER. Though nightshades are also high on the intolerance list, mix an intolerance and excess fructose, and you have recipe for major heartburn (parental, LOL!).
Posted by: hedra | July 27, 2007 at 04:54 PM
A pediatric dermatologist may be helpful. Does your daughter have a pale area of skin around her vagina and anus in an hourglass shape? This could be something called Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus which can be treated with topical steroids. You don't always see the pale skin, and if you can rule out other causes like infections, you may treat presumptively to see if the itching goes away. Good luck!
Posted by: Kelly | July 30, 2007 at 09:25 PM
I know this is an older post, but I recently read something on baby toolkit about kandoo flushable wipes causing problems that I thought might be another thing to consider. It might not be at all relevant since you mentioned toilet paper, but I wanted to add it to the list, even if it's just for archival sake. Here's the link to the info: http://babytoolkit.blogspot.com/2007/08/kandont-flushable-wipes-cause-problems.html
Posted by: Sara | August 10, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Poor little kid. I know the feeling from my own childhood. (I considered writing this anonymously because I'm still somewhat embarrassed to discuss it...)
Some kids are very prone to urinary tract and yeast infections. I have no idea why your doctor didn't (did he?) test for both these conditions with a simple urinalysis and skin scrape. But my childhood doctor didn't check either (I think some male docs are uncomfortable in this territory as the accurate diagnoses I've heard of come exclusively from female pediatricians..).
If she has one of these infections (which can be agitated by increased sugar intake), it's a ravaging itch that she may be attempting to rub or scratch (privately, because she's traumatically embarrassed/ashamed). The redness can also appear externally without any rubbing, but the discomfort would be hard to ignore.
The use antibiotics sometimes triggers these infections by killing beneficial internal cultures which allow lurkers like yeast an easy environment in which to multiply.
UTIs are caused by a minor anatomical abnormality. If this is the case the infections can be chronic.
They're completely maddening- so there's always a dark personality lurking around the corner waiting for any minor trigger.
These infections are typically minor, but left untreated they can sometimes create more severe, health problems.
More general guidelines for the UT and yeast infection-prone to add to your list (people have already offered great advice here):
Use a gentle, unscented, easy rinse soap like Cetaphil wash. Showers are better than baths. Tight clothes are problematic.
I'm really happy you're investigating a solution even after seeing a doctor. What a good mom! Persevere until your daughter is well.
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Posted by: Doctor Norman Blumenthal | February 03, 2009 at 08:03 AM
It could be genital psoriasis.
Posted by: Rebekah | May 02, 2009 at 01:17 AM
Have her tested for Lichen Sclerosis It sounds like this may be related to the celiac. It usually has tiny white bumps/bubbles & very red shiny skin around her vaginal area.
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