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Vaginal Foreign Body In Children
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
A vaginal foreign body is when an object is stuck in your child's vagina. Some examples are wadded toilet paper, toys, crayons, and hair bands. A vaginal foreign body may be a sign of sexual abuse.
- Hormone cream: This medicine may heal scratches or wounds in your child's vagina.
- Steroid cream: This medicine helps decrease redness and swelling.
- Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Make sure your child takes his antibiotics until they are gone, even if he feels better.
- Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him or her if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
- Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.
Follow up with your child's healthcare provider or gynecologist within 7 days:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Care for your child's vagina:
- Wipe front to back: Teach your child to wipe from front to back when she goes to the bathroom. This will help prevent germs from getting into her vagina.
- Sitz bath: Healthcare providers may give you a portable sitz bath. This is a small tub that fits in the toilet. Fill the sitz bath or a bathtub with 4 to 6 inches of warm water. Have your child sit in the warm water for 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
- Petroleum jelly: Apply petroleum jelly or other thick lotion to your child's genital area to help decrease pain and redness.
Contact your child's healthcare provider or gynecologist if:
- You think your child was sexually abused.
- Your child has a fever or chills.
- Your child's symptoms do not go away in 3 to 5 days.
- Your child has pain and cramps in her abdomen.
- Your child has pain in her lower back or side.
- Your child has a hard time urinating, or she urinates more often than usual.
- You have questions about your child's condition or care.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.