Suggest Treatment For Fungal Infection Of In Groin Area

Posted on Tue, 27 May 2014

Question: My 6 yr old daughter has been complaining for weeks of a "tickly feeling" in her genital area. She has been to the pediatrician three times. Each time a urinalysis has come back negative for UTI. We have had her sleep with no underwear, take baths with no soap or bubble bath. I still use organic baby shampoo. At her last visit (last week) the doctor prescribed amoxycillin, but we had only given her two doses when the results of the urinalysis came back negative. If she does have a fungal problem, I didn't want to make it worse with the antibiotic, so we stopped that. It seems to be the worst when she settles down to go to sleep or has to sit for any length of time. It has gotten to the point where she cries and says she hates herself and wishes she could go back to her "old self" when she didn't have this problem. We're kind of at the end of our rope. Today I bought some Vagisil wipes and some Aveeno 1% hydrocortisome cream and used both before she went to bed. She said it was better, but not gone, but at least she wasn't crying from discomfort when she went to sleep. Is it ok to use these products on a 6 yr. old? Is there something else I should try? Another mom I talked to whose daughter has similar complaints and sensitive skin said her doctor recommended Lotirimin for the area.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It could be a fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi....

Many thanks for consulting in Health Care Magic.

By what you quote, I think that your daughter might be having a fungal infection of her external genitalia & groin region. Moreover you say that thrice the urinalysis has come negative for bacterial infection. Additionally the symptoms have alleviated by the vagisil & aveeno external applications.

Coming to your queries-
1. Vagisil 1% hydrocortisone cream is a mild steroid which might act synergistically while using an antifungal.

2. Lotrimin contains Clotrimazole which is an antifungal which gives good results. Its an over the counter drug and can be used as external application. I suggest you use it according to the dosage pattern or twice a day after cleansing and drying the genital area of your kid. It might slightly irritate initially but it works well. If she developes severe reaction of skin I suggest you stop it.

3. Another suggestion is that after she starts getting better, change all her undergarments & get new ones of cotton & not synthetic material. Drink cleaner water and hygienic food.

4. If above measures don't work or if there is a recurrence of symptoms after a period of time... I suggest you consult a dermatologist.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. Happy to help anytime. Further clarifications and consultations on Health Care Magic are welcome. I wish your 6 year old a speedy recovery from her symptoms.

Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj