Even very young girls can get intimate infections. What infections are the most common? How to deal with them? And what to do to avoid them?
There is a belief that problems in the genital area are the domain of adult women only. Meanwhile, they can happen even to girlsbaby . Some, such asinfections , cause symptoms similar to those seen in women. Others mostly involve little girls and go unnoticed by their parents. Regardless of the cause and the symptoms, however, these problems raise many questions among parents. Doubts are also raised by the daily care of the diaper area.
Intimate hygiene liquids not for young children
In small girls, and therefore also infants, due to the low concentration of estrogens, there is a neutral or alkaline reaction in intimate areas. However, after adolescence, it is acidic in nature. Intimate cleansers available in drugstores are intended for adult women, therefore they are also slightly acidic. They are definitely not suitable for little girls, because they could violate the natural pH of intimate areas during this period. Gentle soaps for babies are suitable for them.
Change diapers every 3-4 hours
Newborns and babies will pee up to 30 times a day. The urine is diluted, therefore it has a light yellow color and a delicate odor. The single-dose diaper should be changed every 3-4 hours (more often in hot weather) and always immediately, when the child makes a pile; this way you will avoid infections of the urinary tract and intimate parts. This rule is especially important for newborns and toddlers, even if they are nappies with a desiccant pad.
Sticky labia - what is it?
Little girls may experience the so-called synechia, or gluing of the labia. It is a relatively common childhood ailment, but fortunately it is usually not dangerous for the child and does not have any permanent consequences. Little girls' labia are thin and can easily stick together. The doctor finds that there is sticking when the baby is normally viewed, even before the routine immunization. Treatment can be started immediately - it is usually ordered by a pediatrician, although some doctorsprefer to refer the child to a surgeon first. A visit to a pediatric gynecologist is not necessary, especially since the access to this specialist is limited. The pediatrician will prescribe an ointment to help detach the labia. You need to use it regularly, usually for 2-4 weeks, sometimes a little longer. During this time, it is necessary to take great care of the child's hygiene, avoiding care products that may be irritating. Such treatment is possible when gluing the lips does not cause any ailments or other problems. If a girl experiences any effects of synechia, the best effect is the manual separation of the lips by a surgeon. This small procedure is performed under local anesthesia during a single visit to the clinic (a referral from the primary care physician is necessary). In order for the child not to feel discomfort, it is enough to apply lidocaine gel or EMLA ointment.
After gluing the labia, a small recess is formed. There may be residual urine in it. During heat or a temporary drop in immunity, urine becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria capable of causing infection. Such infections like to recur later. The longer the lips are stuck together or have a tendency to recur, the more permanent the fusion can be and the more difficult it is to unstick. That's why you need to unstick them as soon as possible.
Enlarged breasts in a newborn
This happens sometimes. Both nipples of a newborn baby may be swollen, and may even come out with milky yellow colostrum-like discharge in the first few days after birth (women's first milk). This is due to the mother's hormones that act on the baby's body as they pass through the placenta to the baby at the end of pregnancy. Some doctors recommend soda solution compresses in this case, but it is not necessary as the swelling will gradually subside on its own. It is enough to observe that the swelling does not worsen. Swollen nipples must not be squeezed, massaged, glued or smeared with ointments. It is also inadvisable to use alcohol compresses. First, it is ineffective. Second, the spirit is absorbed into the blood through the skin. On the other hand, you should be concerned about the swelling of one breast, especially when the baby has a fever, the nipple is warm and red. Then a doctor's help is needed.
Ovarian cysts in the newborn
More frequent ordering of ultrasound examinations in the neonatal period increased the detection of ovarian cysts in girls. Contrary to appearances, this is not an exceptional matter, because it happens even in every fifth girl in the first two years of life. The formation of a cyst is related to the increased secretion of hormones (gonadotropins) in the first weeks afterbirth. These cysts gradually resolve on their own within a few months as the hormone levels peak between 2 and 4 months of age, and then continue to decline. If the next ultrasound performed a few weeks later confirms that the cyst is shrinking, it is enough to observe it further by performing check-up examinations. However, if they do not diminish after a few months, or are more than 5 cm in size, you may need to get help from a surgeon.
Wet wipes in intimate care for little girls
Wet wipes are a great invention. They make life so much easier. However, washing intimate areas with them is not very hygienic. There may be some urine or poop left in the skin folds. Therefore, it is better to use them on a walk and outside the home, and at home, at least every second diaper change, especially after a poop, it is better to wash the baby's bottom under running water. It is better to avoid wet wipes if the girl has chafing around her butt. Even if the wipes do not irritate the skin on a daily basis, they can increase inflammation with chafing. Note: the girl should always be washed from front to back to avoid infection of the urinary tract and vulva.
Can the intimate surroundings of little girls be covered with cream?
Before putting on a disposable diaper, it is not necessary to lubricate intimate places with creams. Cosmetics can clog the pores in the diaper, through which liquids are absorbed, which promotes nappy rash. However, if the skin is irritated, it is better to use the ointment for the bottom. It can be used around the buttocks, groin and labia majora, but it is much better to avoid lubricating the entrance to the vagina and urethra. Powders are also not recommended because they can dry out the skin and irritate it.
ImportantThe pediatrician's help is necessary when:
- you will notice redness of the labia
- by changing your baby's diaper, you will notice a discharge in an intimate place (the area should be dry) that does not look like urine
- no improvement is seen after 1-2 days of diaper dermatitis
- you have the impression that your labia are stuck together