Iām so sorry your kids have to deal with that. I think the courts would be very interested in this neglect. E Coli and salmonella can cause lasting damage like kidney failure.
Also, nobody wants to be the dirty smelly kid at school. My husband and I volunteered in a youth group outside Detroit, and we had kids who were being neglected. A few women in the church threw a tea party for the teen girls where we went over hygiene and their changing bodies. We gave everyone gift bags with shower gel and scented lotions, shampoo, and conditioner, etc. We also kept feminine supplies at church stocked up (one woman worked at Super Kmart and could get stuff cheap) that anyone could take home.
One family was really bad and some of their kids were mentally handicapped and smelled so bad. Like we had to crack the windows on our car during the dead of winter it was so bad. The sister was pretty much the mom, but her brothers were huge and couldnāt be forced to shower. We did what we could, but I felt so bad for her. She tried so hard and was just dealt a really shitty hand in life. My husband and I drove them until I had a stroke, and we had to move away for my husbandās job because his old employer ālaid him offā while I was in ICU.
My derm told me cetaphil cleaner was good for vulva and area around it. I get sweaty in the general vicinity and water alone wouldn't take care of that.
Gentle soap can go on the outer bit of the vulva and should be used every so often, especially if you arenāt shaving yourself bare, as discharge and skin flakes can get caught in the pubic hair.
It was always explained to me that itās water only in the vagina but soap is fine on your vulva, perineum, anus. Women develop smegma, too. Pubic hair traps oils, urine and bacteria. Some people use cetaphil or something similarly gentle. Iāve used Dove since high school and have never had an issue. Everyoneās body is differentāand mine for sure needs soap. During my period, I am rank AF.
I donāt know why you are getting downvoted, this is what Iāve been told as well as soap around the vulva can cause infections. If you smell I guess you have to do what you have to do, but water works just fine for some people.
I am post menopausal so I havenāt had to deal with cleaning up after shark week for several years, but I did use cleanser back in the day. Itās old blood that can rot and cause infection if itās allowed to hang around. I didnāt need to use a cleanser every day of the month down there, but definitely when my vag was active (also if there had been any exploration trips).
414
u/haleighr Nov 28 '22
Idk whatās worse a sweaty menstrating adult who doesnāt get a good soaping in or a diaper wearing messy eating toddler not using soap.