Question
My baby is 7 months old, and I’ve noticed that her vulva is a bit red. Why is that? She also seems to urinate in segments; is this normal? She hasn’t received any treatment before. I want to know what’s going on and how to treat her.
Answer
The redness of the baby’s vulva may be due to an infection caused by worm eggs crawling out from the anus and invading the vulva and vagina. Sometimes, children, out of curiosity or to relieve discomfort in the vulva area, may insert items like hairpins, small pencil tips, or small toys into the vagina. If these items are not removed promptly, they can cause long-term irritation or damage to the vaginal mucosa, leading to inflammation. In the case of female infants, congenital anomalies such as vaginal-rectal fistulas can also increase the risk of infection. Certain pathogenic factors in the mother’s body, such as herpes simplex virus, fungi, and trichomonas, can be transmitted to female infants through childbirth or close contact in daily life.