Is it normal for little girls' underwear to turn yellow?

The phenomenon of yellowing underwear is normal if it happens to adult women. It is usually closely related to yellow urine and inflammation due to heat. However, some little girls may also have yellowing underwear. Such young children may experience the same condition as adults, and it is easy to rule out yellow urine as a cause, so it is natural to worry. So, is it normal for little girls' underwear to turn yellow? Let's take a closer look at it below.

Causes

Common pathogens include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. Trichomonas or Candida can also cause infection. The pathogen can be transmitted through clothing, bathtubs, etc. of sick mothers, childcare workers or kindergarten children. It may also be caused by poor hygiene, unclean vulva, frequent contamination by feces or direct contact with dirt. In addition, damage or scratches to the vulva, especially pinworm infection, can cause inflammation. It can also be caused by accidentally placing foreign objects in the vagina.

Clinical manifestations

Clinically, parents often find purulent secretions on diapers or underwear, or their children cry and make noises due to pain when urinating and seek medical attention. The main clinical symptoms are vulvar pain, itching and increased secretions. The mucous membranes of the vulva, clitoris, urethral orifice and vaginal orifice are congested, edematous, and have purulent secretions. There are often purulent dry scabs or watery marks on the diapers or underwear, and the vulva becomes red and swollen, and the skin may even peel off. There are local scratches, bleeding and other phenomena. In severe cases, the labia minora may become adhered and the urine flow may become thinner. Examination may reveal that the adhesion area of ​​the labia minora is thinner and more translucent.

examine

Use a cotton swab to take vaginal secretions and check for Trichomonas and fungi, and pay attention to whether there are foreign objects in the vagina. Check stool for pinworm eggs.

diagnosis

The diagnosis can be confirmed based on clinical symptoms and bacterial test results.

Differential Diagnosis

Vulvovaginitis in infants and young children is a common disease in female infants and young children. When diagnosing, it is necessary to differentiate it from trichomonas or fungal vulvitis, pinworm vulvitis, acute gonorrhea in young girls, and vulvar eczema.

Since the vaginal pH of infants and young children is alkaline and lacks glycogen, it is not suitable for the reproduction and growth of fungi and Trichomonas. Therefore, fungal or Trichomonas vulvitis in infants and young children is rare. When clinical differentiation is needed, smear and culture of secretions can be done.

2. Pinworm vulvitis

An inflammation of the vulva caused by intestinal pinworms transmitted to the vulva and vagina through feces. It is characterized by extreme itching of the vulva and anus, and a large amount of thin yellow purulent secretions. Pinworms can be identified by examination of fecal eggs and by visualization of pinworms around the anus or on the vulva.

3. Acute gonorrhea in young girls

It is characterized by local pain and difficulty urinating. During examination, increased secretions may be seen, and redness, swelling and ulceration may occur in the vestibule, urethral orifice, vulva and even around the anus. Typical kidney-shaped Gram-negative diplococci may be found in the secretion smear.

treat

Specific infections should be ruled out first, and the secretions should be sent for examination for Trichomonas and fungi. If necessary, bacterial culture can be performed to identify the pathogenic bacteria and give appropriate antibiotics. Apply potassium permanganate in an appropriate proportion for local sitz bath, apply antibiotic ointment externally, and keep the vulva clean and dry.

Keep the baby's vulva clean and dry. When using diapers for babies, it is best to choose pure cotton, which is soft and breathable. It is best not to use diapers when you are not going out. Change diapers promptly after urination and defecation, and clean the vulva 1 to 2 times a day, paying special attention to cleaning and gently drying the labia and skin folds. When entering the early childhood period, little girls no longer sleep in cribs or sit in strollers or chairs. Instead, they walk around and play. They often wear open-crotch pants and sit on the floor or carpet at will. Dirt, dust, and even small insects can easily contaminate and irritate the vulva. Riding a bicycle or sitting on hard objects can easily damage the vulva.

Therefore, parents should pay attention and try not to let their children sit or lie on the floor. They should wear closed-crotch pants as early as possible, and not wear tight pants or high socks made of synthetic fibers. Clothes should be soft, loose and comfortable. Cleanliness after urination and defecation should not be neglected, especially after urination. Use soft toilet paper to wipe the urethral opening and surrounding areas, and pay attention to the posture of urination to avoid urinating from front to back into the vagina. After defecation, use clean toilet paper to wipe from front to back to avoid wiping feces into the vagina. In addition, children's bathtubs, towels, etc. should be used by designated persons only to avoid cross infection with adults. As long as you take the above precautions seriously, you can effectively prevent the occurrence of vulvitis in infants and young children.