Vaginas.....

[minimatron]

Not sure if this is in the right section.....


Hello, Im after some advice, seeing i have 3 little ladies in the house

DD1 (4) and DD2(2) have smelly vaginas. They get cleaned often so I dont think its a matter of hygiene (well maybe coz both of them go to the toilet on their own). For example, dd2 had a shower at night then the next morning I could smell her and her undies had a small yellow mark on them. DD1 sometimes has yellow marks on her undies too.
We dont use soap in the bath, they use cotton underware. DD1 often pulls at the area saying she has a wedgie and sometimes it hurts. DD1 has a rather large clitoris and it pokes out through her labia. Im wondering if hers has something to do with sesitivity? Shes very warey of touching her vagina because she said it ?hurts/?tickles
DD2 doesnt have a large clitoris but has just been toilet trained since April so I am hypervigilant that she wipes properly... actually with both of them I try to teach them the right way to wipe.
DD1 has a yeast allergy which gives her a rash around the mouth... maybe it might have a link.

Anyway... I just dont know what to do about it. Its quite aromatic, even so dd1 has commented on it!

Has anyone had this experience with their dd? What do you think we should do?

TIA

Melissa

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Could you try those flushable moist wipes, it might clean off any 'residue' that might be causing an odour?

Otherwise i would prob suggest just going to your GP, i'm sure it's probably common but it can't hurt to get them checked, especially if they seem 'sensitive' about it hurting etc,

[minimatron]

we have the flushable wipes and when I help dd2 I always make sure I give her a wipe....

I think dd1s sesitivity started after she fell off the table and grazed herself... but I could be wrong. Its really bothering me that both of them smell. I dont over wash them but I certainly dont underwash them!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

It's probably quite common hun so don't feel bad, i always worry with DD1 if i am teaching her the right way while she's TTing and trying to explain the importance of wiping properly and why i have to help her, this parenting gig is so hard.

If your worried maybe even just give the local GP a call, or nurse on call and ask for advice?

[Olive]

Maybe you're cleaning their vaginas too much, they are self cleaning! Having said that I'd definitely see your GP first

[minimatron]

I remember my gyno telling me I should never wash with soap and only clean with water. So I make sure that we clean like that.

Do you think it might be diet realted at all? Maybe too much sugar?

I will bring it up when we go to the GP next. I just dont want them to have a bad smell about them iykwim!

[emc2]

I just remember my Mum saying not to give little girls bubble baths, it can really irritate the vulva.

[minimatron]

I agree with you emc2... we dont put anything in the bath water. I wash them with things like dermaveen or dermeez and they use an organic hair wash.

[helle]

Too much sugar can affect things down there for me. If I have a sugar binge you can almost guarantee I'll wake up the next day with thrush, or just be totally uncomfy down there and ick. Things like cool drink are pretty bad. I don't have them often and definitely not on consecutive days!
Maybe try cutting some out a bit and see what happens? My naturopath always says "healthy gut, healthy everywhere else"

[Phteven]

The bodies natural Ph is a little acidic. Try putting some vinegar in their bathwater and it might help keep the flora balanced.

[Eenee]

I'd also recommend to stop using the flushable wipes.

[Rouge]

I would take them to the GP. Not wait till the next time you go. Sounds like a yeast infection. Which can end up being very painful if left unattended.

[BellyBelly]

It can be a combination of all of these things. I'd cut out all bubblebath, bath salts, wipes, soaps - you only need water or you can mess up the balance of good flora. Antibiotics will also disturb the balance of good and bad bacteria. Obviously wiping front to back is very important. Thrush/yeast infections love sugar, so cut out that where you can and lots more fruits, veggies, pure juices that you make from home. You can get kids probiotics from health food stores or chemists and also up the garlic. Apple cider vinegar in the bath is definitely a good help. It will take time to build up good bacteria again so it will need a little time.

Sounds like an anti-fungal is needed for relief, but you need to make lifestyle changes to make sure this doesn't happen again as creams are only a bandaid fix.

Check out this article for lots of info. Thrush / Yeast Infections - Take Control of Thrush

[Rouge]

And also one of the biggest causes of dermatitis in little girls is not drying themselves properly after bath/shower or after urinating.

[Phteven]

If they are wearing underpants overnight maybe you could ditch them. I have to use the term let it breath but getting some fresh air down there is good.