Question
What should be done about redness and swelling of a girl’s inner thigh and vulva for six months?
Answer
Redness and swelling of the inner thigh has been a recurring issue for a girl since she was two months old. The symptoms come and go, sometimes improving on their own but quickly reappearing, and the child often scratches. Previously, high potassium permanganate, jielian (a traditional Chinese medicine), and salt water have been used for cleaning, but with little effect. Vulvovaginitis refers to inflammation of the skin or mucous membrane of the external genitalia. It can be acute or chronic. Causes of external genital inflammation in females can include simple vulvovaginitis, candidiasis, infantile vulvovaginitis, and trichomoniasis. When the vulva is inflamed, regardless of the cause, the main symptoms include itching, redness, and burning pain. Here are some treatment and prevention measures: 1. Clean the area after bowel movements to avoid fecal contamination of the vulva. 2. Clothing should be made of pure cotton to prevent allergic reactions or itching. 3. If there are pinworms inside the body, take deworming medication immediately to prevent itching or redness caused by pinworms. 4. If there is already an infection in the female genital area, seek medical attention immediately. 5. Use separate wash basins and towels for cleaning the vulva; they should not be used for other purposes.