What does a vulvitis look like in girls?

Every mother should know about how inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs can manifest. This will help in time to suspect the disease and promptly consult a doctor. Not every mother knows how to deal with vulvitis in girls.

An acute inflammatory process that affects the external reproductive organs in girls is called vulvitis. This is a fairly common pathology in pediatric gynecology. The peak incidence is between two and ten years old. In adolescence, cases of vulvitis were practically not observed.

The external genitals include the vagina, the labia minora, labia minora, the clitoris, and the external part of the urethra. These organs outside cover mucous membranes lined with epithelial cells. Due to various causes of the disease, inflammation develops. It starts a cascade of inflammatory reactions that provoke discomfort symptoms in the baby.

Various provoking factors can lead to the development of vulvitis:

• Improper or overly active hygiene procedures. Daily washing away with antiseptic agents can lead to changes in the pH of the vaginal environment. With regular use of such funds, the mucous membrane of the external genital organs excessively dries out and becomes very susceptible to the penetration of any infection.
• Infection with various helminths. During reproduction, these parasites secrete a large amount of toxic products that can cause various irritations and reddening in the genital area.
• Severe hypothermia. This leads to a decrease in local immunity. Too low body temperature contributes to impaired blood flow in the genitals, which causes the occurrence of the inflammatory process.
• Chronic diseases. The most common pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system provoke inflammation in the reproductive organs. To eliminate the adverse symptoms, treatment of the main chronic disease is required, which also provoked inflammation in the genitals.
• Traumatic. Babies in the first years of life often examine their bodies. During this, they may accidentally damage themselves. Teenagers vulvitis may occur after using tampons during menstruation.

There are several types of vulvitis:

• Allergic. Occur with various types of allergies. In infants may occur atopic option. In some cases, it occurs as a result of prolonged wear of diapers. Their prolonged use leads to impaired vaginal pH and more rapid development of various stimuli.
• Bacterial Occur as a result of infection with bacteria. Most often it is staphylococcus, streptococci, hemophilus bacillus, and also aerobic microorganisms. They cause mainly purulent forms of the disease. For treatment requires the appointment of antibiotics.
• Viral. Develop as a result of infection with various types of viruses. The most common causes of the disease are herpes.With a decrease in immunity, babies develop inflammatory changes in the external genital organs.
• Fungal. Most often develop as a result of candidal infections. It can also occur in frequently ill and weakened babies. Quite often recorded in girls suffering from diabetes. To eliminate adverse symptoms, antifungal drugs are required, mainly in the form of ointments or creams.
• Traumatic. Occur after various injuries. The mucous membranes of the external genital organs in childhood are very loose and easily injured. In the event of a bacterial infection through various microdamages, a secondary infection may develop.
• Adhesive. Appear in chronic course of vulvitis. Occur only in cases where timely treatment was not provided. In this form, the intergrowth of the genital lips. Doctors believe one of the first symptoms of this disease is impaired urination.

The main clinical manifestations of vulvitis include:

• Swelling and inflammation of the vulva.
• Redness of the vagina and genitals.
• Pronounced discomfort in the anogenital zone.
• Appearance of discharge. They can be of different colors and textures. When bacterial infections appear purulent discharge yellow or green. In the case of viral vulvitis, a gray discharge is formed, a sufficiently liquid consistency. Fungal lesions are accompanied by the appearance of abundant whitish discharge, which easily crumble.
• Impaired urination The urge to urinate becomes more frequent. At the same time, the urine portions decrease, but the total number does not change during the day.
• Soreness of the external genitalia. Inflammation provokes increased pain during urination.
• Increased body temperature. With severe course may develop fever. Sluggish disease is not accompanied by a change in body temperature. It may not exceed the norm during the entire acute period of the disease.
• Changes in behavior and general condition. Girls are becoming more nervous and capricious. In some cases, sleep is disturbed. The mood of the baby is becoming very depressed.

With the development of vulvitis, the vulva becomes swollen and bright red. When examining the anogenital zone, one can see severe irritations and reddening. In some cases, the inflammatory process extends even to the inner thighs. In allergic forms of vulvitis, traces of scratching can be found.

The labia are enlarged several times, swollen sufficiently. With a moderate course of the disease closes the entrance to the vagina. When palpation of the inguinal lymph nodes, you can detect their increase and moderate pain. In some cases, they increase to 1-1.5 cm.

For fungal variants of the disease is characterized by the appearance of abundant white secretions. They cover the entire surface of the large and small sexual lips. In the implementation of hygienic toilet of the external genital organs and the removal of secretions may increase bleeding mucous membranes. The discharge has a rather unpleasant odor.

With adhesive vulva the labia are spliced. Usually this variant of the disease occurs in babies in the first two years of life. The fusion of the labia comes from the level of the clitoris. The severity of the symptom depends on the severity of the disease.If fusion is not seen in the early stages, then after a while this leads to a narrowing of the lumen and a decrease in the entrance to the vagina.

In the treatment of vulvitis are used:

• Painkillers Helps to eliminate soreness in the area of ​​the inflamed vulva. Appointed in the form of ointments, creams and various sprays. For the treatment of vulvitis, you can use "Miramistin"," Furacilin ","LevomekolAnd other means.
• Antiseptic. Eliminate irritation and redness. Successfully cope with adverse symptoms and infusions prepared from medicinal plants. For treatment using decoctions of chamomile, calendula, series, oak bark. They can be used in the form of baths, lotions, as well as for hygienic treatment of the genitals.

• Anti-inflammatory. Appointed to eliminate marked inflammation. Helps to eliminate the effects of allergic vulvitis, accompanied by the appearance of severe itching and burning. Various antibacterial and hormonal ointments are used: tetracycline, hydrocortisone, erythromycin and others. Apply them only to clean and pre-dried genitals.
• Antihistamines. Helps to eliminate pronounced swelling of the genital organs, as well as eliminate itching and burning. Especially effective these tools in the treatment of allergic forms of vulvitis. Appointed in the form of tablets for 5-7 days. These include "Suprastin", "Claritin"," Fenistil ","Tavegil», «Diphenhydramine" other.
• Restorative. These include rectal suppositories that contribute to the activation of immunity. In children's practice, the most frequently used drugs based on interferon. Regular use of multivitamin complexes will help strengthen the immune system, make the baby stronger, which is very useful for combating the disease.

Dr. Komarovsky will name the causes of vulvovaginitis in a girl and warn mothers against using soap too often for girls' hygiene.