Some Causes of Vaginal Itching and Discharge in Children
Cause | Common Features | Diagnostic Approach |
|---|---|---|
Irritation caused by urine or stool | Itching or redness of the vulva or vaginal opening, and sometimes a vaginal discharge Sometimes pain during urination | A doctor's evaluation |
Foreign object in the vagina (often toilet paper or a small toy) | Vaginal discharge, sometimes with a foul odor and/or containing small amounts of blood | A doctor's evaluation, sometimes done after the girl is sedated or given a general anesthetic |
Itching of the anal area (and sometimes vaginal opening) that worsens at night | Examination of the vulva and vaginal opening and anus to check for pinworms | |
Infections such as | Irritation, redness, and sometimes swelling of the vulva or vaginal opening Vaginal discharge, usually yellow or green Sometimes pain during urination | Examination of the discharge under a microscope and analysis of a sample to check for microorganisms that can cause vaginal infections |
Chemical irritation (such as that due to soaps, bubble baths, hygiene sprays, or vaginal creams and ointments) | Redness, itching, swelling, and soreness of the vulva | A doctor's evaluation |
Skin disorders such as psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, and lichen planus (due to an autoimmune reaction, when the body attacks its own tissues) | Rashes, itching, or other symptoms, depending on the disorder | Usually a doctor's evaluation alone Sometimes a biopsy |
Bruising, redness, or injury to the vulva, vagina, anus, and/or mouth Sometimes vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor or contains blood Often vague symptoms (such as fatigue or abdominal pain) or changes in behavior (such as starting to have temper tantrums or withdrawing from daily activities) | A doctor's evaluation To check for sexually transmitted infections, examination of the discharge under a microscope and analysis of a sample |