Absolutely every woman has a discharge of mucus from the vagina. The hormone estrogen is responsible for secretion. However, it is important to understand that mucus in an adult woman and discharge in a girl at 4 years old are different concepts. In children, the presence of a secret in most cases indicates the development of a pathological process. In order to prevent complications, the girl needs to be shown to the doctor as soon as possible. Self-medication in this situation is unacceptable.
Normal vaginal secretion
A small amount of white discharge is not a sign of the development of pathology. The vaginal secretion can be detected at any age, even in the chest. White discharge (if there are very few) are the result of tissue cleansing. This allows you to maintain normal microflora of the vagina.
What the selection consists of:
- Mucus is produced by glands located in the cervix.
- Epithelial cells of the walls of the vagina.
- Various microorganisms.
- Blood cells (in particular, white blood cells).
Thus, vaginal discharge in a girl at the age of 4 can be both physiological and pathological. A small amount of white secretion in most cases is a variant of the norm. In other cases, it is customary to talk about the development of a disease in the child's body.
Causes of white discharge
To distinguish a physiological secret from a pathological one, it is necessary to pay attention to its smell and consistency. If the white discharge in a girl at 4 years old resembles cottage cheese, this indicates the presence of candidiasis.
The causative agent of thrush is a fungus of the genus Candida, it is easily transmitted from mother to child during delivery. In addition, the start of the development of pathology can occur against the background of a weakening of the body's defenses or during antibiotic treatment.
In the presence of white discharge in a girl at 4 years old, it is necessary to write the baby to the doctor as soon as possible. In addition, it is necessary to exclude the use of baking and confectionery products. These products create a favorable environment for the propagation of the fungus.
Causes of green and yellow discharge
In this case, bacterial vulvovaginitis is most often diagnosed. If the girl at 4 years old is yellow-green, there is a specific smell of fish, and the external genitalia are red, this indicates the presence of this disease. Another symptom of bacterial vulvovaginitis is pruritus. The child constantly combs the area of the labia and almost always is naughty during water procedures.
Yellow discharge in a girl at 4 years old may indicate:
- Helminthic infestation.
- Penetration of dirt into the vagina.
- Unsuitable intimate care product.
- The presence of a foreign object in the vagina.
- Irritation of the skin resulting from wearing synthetic underwear.
In girls at 4 years old, yellow discharge is not uncommon. This is due to the fact that up to 8 years in the microflora of the vagina there are no lactobacilli, the task of which is the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms.
But green discharge in girls at 4 years old (or at 5, 6, etc.) clearly indicate the presence of inflammation. In this case, contact the medical institution as soon as possible.
Causes of red and brown discharge
In this case, the presence of a secret indicates a pronounced inflammatory process. In addition, the presence of a foreign body in the vagina should not be ruled out. Any movement of it can provoke damage to the mucous membrane and, accordingly, bleeding.
In such cases, it is recommended that you call an ambulance team. Bleeding of any etiology always requires immediate medical attention.
Causes of purulent discharge
Exudation is not the norm under any circumstances. The most possible causes of purulent discharge in a girl at 4 years old:
- The cervix is inflamed in the child.
- Colpitis.
- The defeat of the ovaries.
- Pathologies of an infectious nature.
If the girl is 4 years old, the discharge of yellow color (or slightly brownish) is accompanied by itching, burning, fetid odor and fever, it is necessary to bring the child to a medical facility as soon as possible.
Clinical manifestations
Regardless of the reason, the discharge in a girl at 4 years old is always accompanied by vivid symptoms.
The following symptoms are alarming:
- Bad smell. It can be associated with fish or be foul-smelling.
- Redness of the external genitalia.
- Itching
- Burning.
- Irritability and crying during hygiene.
- Thick consistency of discharge.
- Rash or sores on the external genitalia.
- Swelling of the tissues.
- Elevated body temperature.
In addition, the child rarely goes to the toilet. This is due to the fact that during the act of urination, the unpleasant sensations intensify at times.
Who to contact
If alarming symptoms occur, you must make an appointment with a pediatric gynecologist. In some institutions, you must first contact the pediatrician and arrange for him the appropriate direction.
Diagnostics
In the process of initial intake, a pediatric gynecologist must collect an anamnesis. The doctor must provide information about what symptoms the child is worried about, how long they have appeared and what is the degree of their severity.
After that, the doctor conducts an external examination. A gynecologist evaluates the condition of the skin and mucous membrane of the external genitalia. In addition, he checks for foreign objects inside. The examination is not accompanied by painful sensations, it differs significantly from that carried out in adult women.
At this stage, it is quite difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. In this regard, the doctor draws up a referral for a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes the following studies:
- Clinical blood test.
- Coprogram.
- Analysis of vaginal discharge.
- Urinalysis
- Blood test for hormones.
- The study of liquid connective tissue by PCR for the detection of antibodies to the pathogen. Blood is taken from a vein.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen.
Drug treatment
A gynecologist prescribes drugs only after studying the conclusion of a comprehensive examination. The treatment regimen directly depends on what pathology caused the appearance of secretions in the girl at 4 years old. Possible treatment options are described in the table below.
| Cause | Treatment |
| Candidiasis | Acceptance and external use of antifungal drugs based on nystatin or cortisone, dieting |
| Bacterial vulvovaginitis | The use of antibiotics and vitamins, the use of suppositories, the local use of antibacterial ointments, baths to stop itching and burning |
| Ovarian inflammation | Reception of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, bed rest |
If the cause of inflammation is the active activity of viruses, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. When worms are detected, anthelmintic agents are indicated. In this case, treatment should be carried out by all family members. Correction of the hormonal background is carried out using glucocorticosteroids. In addition, a hypoallergenic diet is indicated. If the cause of inflammation is a foreign object, it is removed.
Effects
If the mother noticed the discharge on the panties of a girl of 4 years old, she needs to show the child to the gynecologist as soon as possible. With timely access to a doctor, the prognosis is favorable. Ignoring a pathological condition or uncontrolled reception / local use of medications leads to negative consequences.
Possible complications:
- The transition of the disease into a chronic form.
- Frequent occurrence of inflammation.
- Violation of the menstrual cycle in the future.
- The emergence of various pathologies of the reproductive system.
- The development of bleeding during pregnancy in adulthood.
Thus, it is unacceptable to ignore the discharge in a girl at 4 years old.
Folk methods
It is important to understand that the use of non-traditional methods cannot be considered as the main treatment. Turning to traditional medicine is allowed only with the aim of stopping unpleasant symptoms before visiting a pediatric gynecologist.
You can relieve itching, burning and the severity of the inflammatory process using the following means:
- Decoction based on oak bark. Take 2 tbsp. l previously dried and crushed raw materials and pour 300 ml of hot water into it. Put the container on fire. Stew for 15 minutes. Cool, strain. With the resulting broth, wash the external genital organs after washing. Due to the presence of tannins in the healing fluid, the intensity of itching and burning decreases after the first procedure.
- Chamomile decoction. Take 1 tbsp. l dried and crushed raw materials, pour it with 250 ml of boiling water. Put the container on fire. Stew for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. The resulting broth can also be used to wash the external genitalia or add it to a bath with running water. Chamomile has not only soothing, but also antibacterial properties.
- Baths with honey. According to reviews, beekeeping products in a short time help to stop the inflammatory process. To prepare a medicinal product, you need to take 100 g of honey and dissolve it in 1 liter of warm water. Sedentary baths can be taken 2 times a day.
It is important to remember that any medicinal plants and beekeeping products are potential allergens. If there are signs of an undesirable reaction, treatment with folk remedies must be completed. It should be remembered that it is necessary to show the child to the doctor as soon as possible in order to prevent the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Doctors Recommendations
In order to speed up the healing process or to prevent the appearance of pathological secretions, it is necessary to observe a number of important conditions.
Doctor's recommendations for parents:
- After walking and using the toilet, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Children's things should always be washed separately from adults. You can use laundry soap or hypoallergenic powder.
- To instill a healthy lifestyle for the child, preferably by example. The diet of the baby should include a large number of fruits and vegetables.
- Wash the girl daily. In this case, the movements should be front to back. Compliance with this condition prevents the penetration of bacterial flora from the intestine into the vagina.
- Wash the child with age appropriate products. Use soap only in case of emergency. This is due to the fact that the alkali contained in it destroys the lipid layer, the task of which is to protect the skin.
- Do not use washcloths. These products, again, destroy the lipid layer and irritate the skin. It is recommended to get a soft sponge and wash the child with neat movements.
- After washing, you do not need to rub the genitals of the baby with a towel. It’s enough just to get wet so that excess moisture is absorbed. Hard towels, coupled with aggressive manipulations, have an extremely negative effect on the health of the child.
- Underwear must be changed daily or more often (as it becomes dirty). During the treatment period, doctors recommend doing this 2-3 times a day. In addition, underwear should be sewn from cotton fabric. Not only girls, but also adult women should not wear synthetic products.
In addition, it is important to timely treat all identified pathologies. If you have any warning signs, you should consult your doctor.
Finally
Discharges in a girl at 4 years old (white, yellow, green, etc.) indicate the development of an inflammatory process in her body. However, it is rarely asymptomatic. Most often, inflammation is accompanied by burning and severe itching, the intensity of which increases during the act of urination. Ignoring pathological discharge leads to various negative consequences that can significantly worsen the quality of life in the future.