My 3 Year Old Has Constant Itchiness down There

does she take a lot of baths?
my daughter loved playing in the bath and had a bath toy that developed some sort of funk inside, i had no clue, and everytime she'd take a bath, she'd get itchy, she also liked bubbles. we took the bath toys and bubbles out of the equation, and only used the tub to get clean, and it stopped. as far as i know she hasn't had that problem since she was about your daughters age, and she's 13 now.
C.

When my daughter was younger (she's almost 7 now), she would complain of a little burning down there. Don't know if it's the same thing that your daughter's going through now, but our pediatrician said to put diaper rash ointment and give her cranberry juice (straight or with the other flavors) to drink. Even since, we have switched completely to cranberry juices and she has never had a problem down there again.

Your pediatrician will be able to determine better what's going on. Good luck!

--L.

My 3 year old does this occasionally too. I took her to the doctor but she had no infections. The doctor seemed to think that it was because she wasn't wiping all the time. I use AD ointment when I notice any redness or that she is itching. It seems to work well.

Hello,
This is to everyone who responded. Wouldn't it just be easier to tell A. to never use Vagisil on a three year old and call a doctor ASAP?!!!!

A.,
I have suffered with yeast infections for years and years so I can sympathize with your little one, and I feel terribly for her. Believe it or not, I have found that Vagisil actually makes the itching worse. A powder with cornstarch may ease the pain, but what you really need is a pediatrician to diagnose that it is in fact a yeast infection and then prescribe her medication. Vagisil does help some people with the itching, but it definitely does not cure the infection. Make sure that the wipes are hypo- allergenic and that her panties are 100 % cotton. There are some hypo allergenic laundry detergents as well that may alleviate any additional irritants. If all else fails while you're waiting for her appointment, you can try a warm bath with oatmeal or an Aveeno bath. I hope she feels better soon!!

K.

I have been plauged by yeast and bladder infections all of my life. I remember being young, perhaps 4 or 5 and being itchy down there. I was afraid to tell my parents. Now I have scarring inside my bladder from bladder infections. It could be that.
Also, Laundry soap is a big cause of an itch for me. Use something that is "free and clear" and also remember to use uncented fabric softner.
A bath in baking soda might help the PH balance or a bath in some salt might help if there is an infection. Vagisil doesn't work for me either. Monistat cream does but I wouldn't put that on a 3yr old. I would suggest just putting some vasiline on it, just to keep it lubricated. I remember that it would be very dry feeling and rub together.
Definetely get it checked by the DR.
I found out I have a narrow urethra.

I would suggest as everyone else has is a milder detergent. Some have suggested dreft, which is fine for children, however as we get older that doesn't work on all clothes, or at least I feel it doesn't. My mother made sure that I use the same detergent since I was a kid, I use tide it is the best one for me an my daughter does not have any rashes.

Drinking 16 oz of cranberry juice and lots of water might help out as well. I am a kidney infection person, have gotten them my whole life no kidding.

At night, can you just let her wear a nightgown and go pantyless? I am not sure where you are on the whole potty going thing. But I always let my little girl go pantyless at night when sleeping, just incase she is sweating or what not.

There are just so many things outthere that could be making her itch. If the vagisil is not working, I would have to go with it being an allergic reaction and in that case try a does of childrens benedryl before bed and see if that helps out.

I am not sure if this is helpful.. but I hope she is better soon. Lets us know what the Dr.'s say.

**about me** 34 year old mum, my mum is a pediatric nurse (very lucky in that I think :))I live in Manchester, my daughter is 4 going to be 5 in November.

My son has pretty bad allergies to fragrances and dyes in many things that cause dry skin and itchiness. If it isn't an infection, it could very well be allergies. I agree with all of the posts that say to use mild or free and clear detergents, but also when washing her in the tub use mild fragrance free soap or body wash. Aveeno makes a great kids body wash that is very mild, or just plain Ivory soap. Also sometimes the culprit could be taking too many baths, it was recommended to me that I not give him a bath every night, every other night was better. Hope this clears up soon for both of your sakes.

My daughter had the same thing and I thought she had a yeast infection too, but she didn't. I took her to the doctors and come to find out it was the detergent I was using. Even now, if I change detergent, she starts to itch. So I go back to using the same detergent and wash all of her underware and the itching goes away after a few days. Hope this helps.

A.,

I know that this may be elementary but make sure that she is wiping from front to back and not the opposite way. I agreee wtih the rest of the moms about the mild detergent and cotton panties. Also try using a mild body soap with no fragrances. A pediatrician that I know of stated that fragrance = allergy.

Good luck

Hi A. I hope u don't take this wrong please but young children sometimes will put stuff down there most likely a doctor will tell you that. You said you was taking her to the doctors soon, hopefully he will check for you. Another thing I remember in the past that someone actually couldn't wear underwear they had to wear pantyhose or tights allergic reaction to undies. Good luck at your appointment.

Have you tried Desitin, it may work for her.

i too have a three year old who has itchiness with "no" symptoms. when she was 9 months old she spiked a fever for almost a week. i of course thought it was teething and just kept giving her aspirin. of course i finaly took her to the doctor and she had a urinary tract infection. they sent us to a urologist and after tests we found out that she had renal reflux. which is when her pee goes back up into her kidneys after it has been filtered to the bladder (which is not supposed to happen). the doctor had told me this could cause itchiness down there which has no symptoms because the itchiness is actually inside the ureter where you can't see. it's i guess pretty common. maybe ask your doctor about it. good luck!

Could she be sensitive to the wipes? If they contain any fragrances it's possible, also they do contain alcohol which is very drying...Have her take a bath every night and add a bit of baking soda (maybe 1/4 cup) it soothes itches. As for the rest, make sure she wipes front to back and use a tiny amount of water on toilet paper rather than wipes.

could be an allergy to the laundry soap or the kind of panties she wears..try cotton panties & a milder detergernt ..also anti itch cream can work & the wipes could be the cause also

My daughter occassionally has the same issue although she gets red but complains she itches. It may not be a yeast infection. When she is at pre-school and uses the potty she does not always wipe well enough. Try Desatin - it worked for us.