Fisenko Karina Olegovna
Specialty: Adult gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist Work experience: more than 25 years Cost of appointment: 1600 rubles Cost of online appointment: 1200 rubles
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- Clinical picture of the disease
- The main causes of inflammation of the external genitalia and vagina in children
- Types of vulvovaginitis in girls
- Diagnosis of the disease
- Treatment of the disease
Expert opinion
Balanoposthitis in children is a common problem in pediatrics. The disease is not dangerous and does not threaten the child’s health. However, if clinical signs are ignored, banal discomfort in the groin area can cause serious problems for a boy in adulthood. Therefore, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist if you notice redness and itching in the foreskin area. The use of traditional medicine methods without prior consultation with a doctor can contribute to the transition of an acute form of the disease to a chronic one. In the future, this condition is an indication for surgical intervention, so it is better not to self-medicate.
Clinical picture of the disease
Vulvovaginitis in girls is accompanied by complaints of severe itching, pain, burning and discomfort in the external genitalia and perineum. Additionally, pathological vaginal discharge of a reddish, yellow or green color, leucorrhoea or curdled discharge may appear. The girl’s genitals were hyperemic and very red, and a rash and scratches appeared on the skin.
The baby constantly pulls her hands to the crotch area and scratches. Vulvovaginitis may not seriously affect the general health, except for the deterioration of the child’s mental state - tearfulness, irritability, anxiety, etc. As the disease progresses, when the inflammatory process affects other organs, additional symptoms may appear - difficulty urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, fever, etc.
Diagnosis of a rash in the groin
The variety of pathologies, which are characterized by external symptoms in the groin area on the patient’s skin, does not allow an accurate identification of the pathogen without certain types of examination.
The main types of diagnostic tests prescribed by a dermatologist include:
- scraping the top layer of skin in places where the rash is localized;
- puncture with a thin needle;
- a smear from the affected areas for subsequent microscopic examination;
- inspection of rashes using an ultraviolet lamp;
- bacterioscopy.
To obtain further information, general blood and urine tests may be required. Based on the information received, the doctor makes a diagnosis followed by a course of therapy, based on the individual indicators and characteristics of the patient.
The main causes of inflammation of the external genitalia and vagina in children
Inflammation can occur for many reasons, the most common cause of vulvovaginitis is:
- Allergic reaction. The cause of the pathology is the abuse of certain foods (strong allergens are chocolate, citrus fruits, foods high in dyes, honey). Allergies can also be caused by medications, household chemicals, and synthetic underwear.
- Long-term treatment with antibiotics. It is no secret that antibiotics destroy not only pathogenic bacteria, but also beneficial microflora, which “populate” the vagina in large quantities. In this case, it is important, along with antibiotics, to take drugs to restore the microflora.
- Visiting public or private baths, saunas, swimming pools, swimming in polluted bodies of water. This is the most common cause of infection in young children. In addition, the child may be allergic to chlorine, which is used to disinfect pool water.
- Foreign body in the vagina. In learning about their bodies, babies often try to insert small objects into natural openings - the nose, ears, mouth and, sometimes, the vagina.
- Viral and infectious diseases. Vulvovaginitis can appear against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, measles, rubella, chicken pox and other diseases. In this case, specific treatment is not required; the disease that caused the pathology is treated.
- Worm infestation.
- General decrease in immunity and endocrine disorders.
An important role is played by the features of the anatomical and morphological structure of the vagina in pre-pubertal girls - the neutral environment of the vagina, the thinness of the mucous membrane, the proximity of the anus to the entrance to the vagina, which also contributes to the development of inflammation.
Why is a groin rash dangerous?
Often, the resulting redness and other changes in the skin are symptoms of allergic reactions or infectious diseases. But in certain cases, a groin rash may indicate the development of cancer.
If the rash is accompanied by pain, itching, purulent abscesses and elevated body temperature, you should urgently seek medical help.
In our clinic, a dermatologist will perform all the required diagnostic procedures and prescribe the necessary tests in order to determine the causative agent of the pathological condition and subsequently formulate the most appropriate course of therapy.
Publication date: 2019-12-10
Methods for diagnosing skin diseases:
- Diagnosis of skin diseases
- Diagnosis of skin diseases at home
- Diagnosis of allergic skin diseases
- Diagnosis of bacterial skin diseases
- Diagnosis of viral skin diseases
- Diagnosis of hair diseases
- Diagnosis of nail diseases
- Diagnosis of skin tumors
- Skin scraping
- Blisters on the skin
- Dermatoscopy
- Demodex tests
- Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
- Mushroom tests
- Skin scraping
This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.
Types of vulvovaginitis in girls
- Specific infectious vulvovaginitis occurs when contaminated with pathogenic microflora - Trichomonas, chlamydia, gonococci, etc.
- Nonspecific infectious vulvovaginitis is caused by excessive growth of opportunistic microflora - staphylococci, streptococci, etc.
- Primary vulvovaginitis can be caused by infection due to the penetration of a foreign body, as a result of helminthic infestation, or infection with nonspecific microorganisms.
- Secondary inflammation occurs against the background of other diseases - endocrine disorders, pathologies of the genitourinary system, viral diseases, atopic dermatitis, etc.
Vulvovaginitis varies depending on the pathological agent that caused the inflammation. Among the pathogens are Trichomonas, chlamydia, Koch's bacillus, as well as viruses, fungi, etc.
The most common pathologies:
- Trichomonas vulvovaginitis. Caused by Trichomonas. It can be transmitted to a newborn girl from the mother during childbirth, as well as in girls over 12 years of age. It is characterized by foamy discharge with an unpleasant odor, severe itching and swelling of the mucous membranes.
- Mycotic vulvovaginitis. The cause is yeast-like fungi. Diagnosed in newborns and girls over 12 years of age. It is characterized by severe itching and the appearance of white, curd-like discharge.
- Viral vulvovaginitis. The cause of inflammation is viral infections - measles, rubella, ARVI, characterized by mild redness and swelling of the mucous membranes.
In terms of duration, the disease can be acute (lasting up to 3–4 weeks), subacute (lasting from 1 to 3 months) and chronic, lasting from 3 months or more.
Questions
- Which doctor treats balanoposthitis in children?
Diagnostics and medical care for balanoposthitis is provided by a pediatric urologist. - Is surgery necessary for balanoposthitis?
In 90% of cases, the disease can be managed with conservative therapy. The exception is chronic forms, when adhesions form between the head of the penis and the foreskin with the development of phimosis. In this case, circumcision is indicated. - Do folk remedies help with balanoposthitis in children?
Various decoctions of plants with an antiseptic effect can be used as baths for inflammation of the foreskin and glans penis. However, this approach is justified only after the child has been examined by a doctor. Otherwise, parents may miss the moment of active progression of the disease and allow it to become chronic and develop complications. - Is circumcision beneficial for balanoposthitis?
Sometimes, with frequent episodes of acute balanoposthitis, pediatric urologists recommend circumcision to prevent relapses of the disease. This removes the preputial sac, which is a container for the secretions of the glands in the area of the head of the penis. With the help of planned intervention, the risk of recurrent inflammation can be permanently eliminated. However, the choice in this case remains with the patient and parents.
Treatment of the disease
Therapeutic therapy is prescribed based on the results of the examination, depending on the cause of the inflammation and is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, reducing itching and relieving swelling. The following drugs are used for this.
- Local antiseptics for the sanitation of the external genitalia and vagina.
- Bacterial preparations based on bacterial culture results.
- Antibiotics locally and systemically.
- Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antiviral or antimycotic agents.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a pediatric gynecologist. With a long course of the disease without the necessary therapy, vulvovaginitis is fraught with various complications - narrowing of the vagina, necrosis of the walls of the vagina and cervix. In addition, inflammation can affect the organs of the urinary system or internal genital organs - the uterus and appendages.
For any gynecological pathologies in children, contact medical specialists. Pediatric gynecologists will conduct the appointment as tactfully and carefully as possible, without pain or discomfort for the child. You can sign up for a consultation by calling the numbers listed on the website.
Which doctor treats groin rash
A dermatologist is involved in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of diseases that manifest themselves as a rash localized in the groin area. When contacting our clinic, the doctor will conduct an initial examination and prescribe the necessary tests, based on the results of which the most appropriate course of treatment will be formed.
Not everyone has the opportunity to personally visit a medical center for characteristic rashes in the groin. In such situations, it is possible to call a dermatologist at home.
It is especially recommended for patients who fall into certain categories to use this service:
- elderly people who have difficulty moving independently on public transport;
- people with disabilities resulting from mechanical injuries or recent surgery;
- bedridden patients who are unable to move without assistance;
- people with limited free time in order to save it.
If you identify characteristic groin rashes, do not hesitate to contact our clinic and see a dermatologist. An advanced form of any pathology is much less responsive to therapy and can cause serious complications that have an adverse effect on the reproductive system.
