HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Sore bottoms in young girls

 

Sore bottoms in young girls are usually caused by a condition called vulvovaginitis.

This causes redness (inflammation), itchiness and soreness of the vagina and the area of skin around the vagina opening (vulva).

It's very common for young girls to get vulvovaginitis, particularly between the ages of 3 and 10 years.

It usually improves after puberty begins, if not before, and doesn't cause any long-term problems.

Causes of vulvovaginitis

Vulvovaginitis is usually caused by irritation and infections. Young girls are prone to getting vulvovaginitis as the walls of their vagina and vulva are thin so can become irritated and infected more easily. Common irritants include soaps, bubble bath and tight-fitting clothing.

Germs (bacteria) that live naturally in the gut are easily spread if poo (faeces) is not wiped away properly after toileting. This is why vulvovaginitis is more common in girls who are learning to toilet themselves and look after own personal hygiene.

Symptoms of vulvovaginitis

Girls may have any or all of these:

• itching or soreness in the vaginal area
• redness of the skin around the outside lips of the vaginal (labia majora)
• burning or stinging when weeing
• some discharge from the vagina which can be yellow or green which may stain the pants.

Treating vulvovaginitis

In most mild cases, no treatment is needed as vulvovaginitis will often improve by itself. If not, the treatment depends on the cause.

Helping your child with vulvovaginitis

To help improve the symptoms your tamaiti (child) has and prevent them coming back try the following things:

Toileting

• Encourage your tamaiti child to spread their legs when weeing.
• Make sure their bottom is thoroughly cleaned after going to the toilet.
• Teach them to always wipe from front to back after weeing or pooing.
• Use soft, white, unscented toilet paper.

Bathing

• Avoid bubble baths and perfumed soaps.
• Use mild hypoallergenic soap.
• Make sure any soap is rinsed off well.
• Do not wash their hair in the bath as shampoos can be irritants.
• Teach your tamaiti to pat dry the area with a clean soft towel after bathing rather than rubbing.
• Vinegar baths may be helpful: add half a cup of white vinegar to a shallow bath and soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this daily for a few days and see if it helps.
• Moisturisers (emollients) can be used to help soothe irritation and protect the skin.

Clothing and laundry

• Avoid wearing nylon tights and tight jeans.
• Use cotton underwear and change it daily.
• Avoid wearing underwear overnight.
• Avoid harsh laundry detergents.
• Do not use fabric softener on underwear.

Getting help for a girl with vulvovaginitis

See a doctor if:

• the symptoms do not go away
• the vulvovaginitis is bothering your tamaiti
• your tamaiti has a fever and pain when passing urine – the doctor may want to test for a urinary tract infection
• your tamaiti has severe symptoms such as blood-stained discharge.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• KidsHealth – Sore bottoms in young girls

  This page talks about what causes vulvovaginitis and how you can get rid of it.

• Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne – Vulvovaginitis

  Information about inflammation or irritation of the vagina and vulva. Includes a podcast episode.

  This information is available in Arabic, Assyrian, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), English, Karen, Persian, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2022.

Sources

Page reference: 52274

Review key: HIVPV-52274