Published: October 31, 2018 | Updated: October 8, 2020
If you’re female, chances are you’ve had — or will have — vaginal itching at some point in your life. Girls’ private part itching comes with swelling, burning and sometimes milky discharge.
“In younger girls, we often see vaginitis caused by soaps, detergents, nonbreathable underwear and poor hygiene,” said Audra Campbell, APRN, Norton Children’s Gynecology. “These things all disturb the natural balance of the vagina, causing so-called ‘bad’ bacteria to grow and cause problems.
“Many people think that vaginitis is only caused by sexual intercourse, but that’s not the case.”
Schedule an appointment with a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist.
“Most times vaginitis in girls can be treated by teaching better hygiene and even applying some Vaseline or other barrier that protects the thin, sensitive skin around the vagina,” Campbell said. “In some cases, a steroid cream or even antibiotic may be needed.
“The best thing you can do is work to prevent the irritation.”
To prevent vaginitis, your daughter should:
If your daughter is still experiencing symptoms of vaginitis after a few days, she should see a physician to rule out other issues, such as a yeast infection.