• Avoid irritants Girls' vulvar areas are exposed to all sorts of chemicals--bubble bath, soaps, laundry detergent residue in the underwear, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets. Often the exposure to an irritant sets up the conditions for an inflammatory process that becomes self-perpetuating. Try washing underpants in Dreft®, use no additives in the bath, use a mild soap like Basis® or unscented Dove® (not Ivory®, which is very drying on the skin.) Avoid fabric softeners and especially avoid dryer sheets for the underwear.



• Keep the area dry and allow air exposure After the bath, be sure to dry the vulva completely. This can be accomplished with a soft towel, but allowing air to the area (delaying putting on clothing) or using a blow dryer on a cool setting can help.
  
  At night, girls seem to do best when they sleep without underpants, preferably in a nightgown or T-shirt. Having fabric, like underpants, over the vulva 24 hours a day can lead to chronic dampness and skin irritation.



• Avoid bacteria Proper bathroom hygiene includes wiping from front to back (from behind) after a bowel movement. Many little girls find it hard to reach their bottoms this way, but they really have to learn this. Girls who are suffering from vulvitis should be supervised with wiping until you are sure they are wiping properly. Good handwashing after using the bathroom and before bed at night can also reduce the chances that baceria will transfer from the girl's hands to her vaginal area, as she explores her body.



• Baths A bath seems to be more effective than a shower at dealing with vulvitis, and is also soothing. No soap is necessary in the genital area, and definitely no scrubbing. Some girls who have a tendency to vulvitis will be symptom-free with just a daily bath. When symptoms are severe, sitting in warm water a few times a day can be soothing.

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