Your Care Instructions

The labia are the small lips around the opening of the vagina and urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body. Labial adhesion means that those lips have joined together instead of staying apart.

This is common in girls, especially those younger than 6 years. It often causes no symptoms and will go away by itself. But it may cause symptoms such as pain or urinary problems. If so, you can treat it with a prescription cream.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Don't try to separate the labia yourself.
• Keep the groin area clean and dry. If your child is old enough, teach her to wipe front-to-back after she goes to the washroom.
• Protect the skin in your child's groin area:
  • Have her wear cotton underpants during the day.
  • Wash her underpants in non-detergent laundry soap. Don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
  • Don't give her bubble baths. The soap can irritate the skin.
• If your doctor has prescribed a prescription cream, follow his or her directions about how often to apply it and how long to use it.
• After the labia separate, use petroleum jelly or a diaper rash cream for 1 to 2 months. This helps keep the labia lips from joining again. For infants and toddlers, use the jelly or cream with each diaper change. For older girls, use it once a day.