<p>I am posting this for my sister, who is looking for help for my 15-year-old niece. For about 8 months, my niece has been occasionally experiencing a burning sensation after urinating. This happens at worst a few times a week and sometimes not at all for several weeks. She has been checked out by a doctor, who did what would seem to be the obvious tests – UTI, yeast infection, bacterial infection, STDs (although my niece insists she is not sexually active, and it’s likely although of course not for certain that she is being truthful) – and all were negative. Because the pain can last up to ten or so minutes, my sister thinks the source is some kind of external skin sensitivity. So she has been washing Kayla’s underwear (all white cotton now) with Tide Free and adding Chlorox bleach, plus rinsing several extra cycles to get rid of any residue that might be causing any irritation. The only other “clue” is that Kayla is most likely to experience an episode of pain after exercising, so maybe being hot and/or sweaty is a contributing factor. (But this is not completely consistent – she can have an episode without exercising, and also exercise without having an episode.) </p>
<p>Okay, so that’s the problem. Has anyone experienced something similar? Have any suggestions about how to help?</p>
<p>I’ve suffered the same symptoms due to allergies to scented TP and using the wrong soap. urine eroded the already-irritated area. My doctor recommends Dove sensitive skin and I swear by it. The only thing that helped with this problem (which is external) was a cortisone cream. Worked like absolute magic. Then never again to use colored or scented TP or soap with any additives. As far as exercise, it’s the salt in the sweat. Think about rubbing salt in a wound.</p>
<p>My ob/gyn gave me a list of potential irritants which includes caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, apple juice, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, chocolate, cranberry juice*, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, vinegar and Vitamin B Complex.
She also recommended an acid-blocking supplement called Prelief that’s available over the counter.</p>
<p>*Ironically, cranberry juice is often recommended to prevent urinary tract infections. My doctor says it does help with UTIs, but it can be irritating when there aren’t any bacteria.</p>
<p>Sounds like it’s diet-related or a food sensitivity.</p>
<p>As a kindergartner, one of my sons adored clementine oranges and ate way too many, resulting in the symptoms described. At one point, he had to sleep with a tupperware bowl over his wahoo because the weight of the blanket was enough to cause pain. (May he never read this…)</p>
<p>I would get her rechecked for bladder infection
possible the lab messed up or the specimen wasn’t taken correctly.</p>
<p>It reminds me of when my 5 year old complained of hurting when she went to the bathroom.
I took her to the dr & they found that she had chicken pox- and it just happened that the first one was in that area.
We had to go out the back way!
( but it really isn’t as contagious as it’s reputation)</p>
<p>Definetly revisit the physician. I suspect though that she is having bladder spasms (it’s a muscle). Usually these happen when irritated or dehydrated. Try eliminating caffeine totally and then increasing her water consumption, especially before and during exercise.</p>
<p>I remember a few years ago, they thought my sister had appendicitis because she was in such severe pain. But it turned out to be a really bad bladder infection.</p>
<p>Sounds to me like it’s either that or some external irritant.</p>
<p>I agree that a urologist is the way to go, preferably a female or one who specializes in female problems. Most urologists are focused on male issues - prostate!!! - and other than standard UTIs, are fairly limited in dealing with female problems.</p>
<p>This may not help your neice, but my very old doctor always tell me to use vinegar and warm water to wash my bottom if there is any discomfort there. It has worked for me, except if it’s urinary infection.</p>
<p>If interstitial cystitis is suspected, she should see a urologist. An ob/gyn is not qualified to make this diagnosis. </p>
<p>If she is diagnosed with IC, she should remove acidic foods from her diet before resorting to drugs and other more invasive treatments. It worked for me.</p>
<p>If it persists I would see a urologist. She will probably be the only female in the waiting room. I have a history from childhood of UTI and kidney infections and had some surgery when I was a child. About 10 yrs ago I started having symptoms of a UTI but no infection. I saw a urologist who diagnosed Intestitial cystitis. I was often the only female in the waitingroom and the only one under age 70. Through a process of elimination I found that my symptoms could be eliminated by avoiding artificial sweeteners. For me caffeine was not a problem nor spicy food. But have even one diet coke and the problem comes back. I have adjusted and rarely have any diet drinks. Though I find that splenda does not seem to bother me.
Also avoid bubble bath and any harsh soaps.
Depending on where your sister lives she might be able to find a pediatric urologist.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ll add drink more water - lots more. Folks susceptible to UTIs sometimes have symptoms whenever they are a little dehydrated. Avoiding perfumes and colors in all soaps, detergents and toilet paper is also great advice.</p>
<p>Just thought I would post an update in case anyone comes across this thread and wants to know what happened. After questioning my niece, my sister was pretty confident that the pain was external and not internal. Some research on the internet confirmed what someone here said about no bleach (also no harsh detergents, stain-removing products, or fabric softeners, either in the washer or dryer). And, the thing that seems really to have helped, is applying extra-virgin olive oil twice a day. Absolutely no more episodes since starting these two things (the olive oil and the laundry), despite getting very hot and sweaty for sports practice nearly every day.</p>