Discomfort (pain, burning or stinging) when passing urine.
In children too young to talk, suspect pain if your child begins to cry regularly while passing urine.
Urgency (can't wait) and frequency (passing small amounts) of urination may be associated.
Cause
Main cause in young girls: an irritation and redness of the vulva and opening of the urethra from bubble bath, shampoo or soapy bath water.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR URINATION, PAIN WITH
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)
Not moving or too weak to stand
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick.
Can't pass urine or only can pass few drops.
Blood in urine.
Severe pain.
Fever is present.
Abdominal, side or back pain.
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
Painful urination, but none of the symptoms described above (probably soap vulvitis in girls).
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR SOAP VULVITIS (pending talking with your doctor)
1. Definition: Soap Vulvitis is the #1 cause of pain with urination in young girls
Burning or stinging with passing urine.
Vaginal itching or irritation may also be present.
Prepubertal girl less than 10 years old.
Uses bubble bath, bathes in soapy water or washes genitals with soap.
To be sure she doesn't have a bladder or kidney infection, she needs to have her urine checked. The following treatment will reduce symptoms while awaiting your appointment.
2. Baking Soda-Warm Water Soaks: Soak the genital area for 20 minutes every 4 hours to remove irritants and to decrease painful urination. Add 2 oz. baking soda per tub of warm water (reason: baking soda is better than vinegar for the prepubertal age group).
3. Increased Fluids: Give extra fluids to drink (reason: to produce a dilute, nonirritating urine).
4. Avoid Soaps: Avoid bubble bath, soap and shampoo to the vulva because they are irritants. Only use warm water to cleanse the vulva or baby oil to remove secretions.
5. Contagiousness: Even if your child has a bladder infection, it is not contagious.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
