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Vulvovaginitis is infection or inflammation of the vagina or vulva in infants or young girls. It involves Vagina; vulva (vaginal lips) and skin around the genitals.

• Itching, redness and pain around the genital area
• Vaginal discharge, which may or may not smell bad
• Pain/ discomfort while urinating
• Bleeding from the affected area (sometimes).

• Infections caused by bacteria; worms including pinworms; and fungi; or viruses
• Allergies to synthetic fabrics, soap or other items in contact with the genitals
• Scratches, abrasions or genital injury from insertion of foreign bodies in the vagina by the child or a playmate
• Genital injury from sexual abuse (you will be surprised to know how common this is. Beware of leaving your girl child alone with a male servant, whatever faith you may have in him).

• Sprinkling too much of talc on vagina, it caking with urine causing excoriation of skin underneath
• Leaving wet diapers on
• Infrequent bathing or unsanitary living conditions.

• While toilet training - Teach the child to wipe from the vagina toward the anus, after every stool
• Don't let the child sit around in wet clothing
• Don't use
• Provide the child with cotton panties or nylon panties with a cotton crotch--not panties made of non-ventilating materials
• If antibiotics are prescribed for any reason, curd may help reduce risk by preventing vaginal yeast infections
• Teach your child to resist and report any attempted sexual contact by an older person.

• Repeated symptoms
• History and exam by a doctor
• Laboratory culture and microscopic exam of the discharge (rarely).

Psychological trauma if the condition is caused by sexual abuse.

Usually curable in 10 days with treatment.

Treatment

• Follow suggestions under How to Prevent
• Remove the source of any irritation or allergy, such as soap
• Don't try to remove a foreign object from the vagina. This may be painful or cause further injury. Take your child to the doctor for removal
• If urinating causes burning, the child may urinate while bathing or urinate through a toilet-paper roll or plastic cup with the end cut out. This prevents urine from stinging inflamed skin.

Your doctor may prescribe:

• Medication appropriate for the infection, including antibiotics, antifungal or deworming drugs
• Topical ointments / lotions to relieve pain and itching

• Your child has symptoms of vulvovaginitis
• You suspect your child has been sexually abused
• Symptoms don't improve in 7 to 10 days or symptoms worsen, despite treatment
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or swelling develops.