Itchy vulva

Which is the vulva?

The vulva, or external genitalia of the female, includes the pubis, the labia majora (outer lips), the labia minora (inner lips), the clitoris, perineum (the tissue between the vagina and anus) and the external openings of the urethra and vagina.

Itching often affects the vulva. The itchy feeling at this site in the absence of a known skin condition is known as pruritus vulvas Vulvar itching should be distinguished from vulvar pain and vulvodynia, which refers to chronic burning symptoms in the absence of clinical signs. Vulvar itching, pain, and burning can coexist.

Who is pricked by the vulva?

Girls and women of any age and race may experience mild, moderate, or severe vulvar itching, which can be intermittent or continuous. They may or may not have an associated skin condition.

What causes an itchy vulva?

One or more specific conditions may be the cause of a vulvar itch.

Itching due to infections.

Candida albicans infection (vulvovaginal canker sores) is the most important thing microorganism to consider in a postpubertal woman with vulvar itching. Candida can be a cause of napkin dermatitis in babies Postmenopausal women are unlikely to have Candida albicans infection unless they have diabetes, they are treated with estrogen or antibiotics, or candida overgrowth is secondary to an underlying skin condition.

Several less common infections can cause vulvar itching.

• Bacterial vaginosis causes a foamy, smelly odor download, and rarely causes vulvar itching, possibly as a result of contact dermatitis.

• Genital viral warts usually itch.

• Pinworms can reside in the vagina or anus and cause itching when they come out at night.

• Infections that rarely cause vulvar itching include cytolytic vaginosis (associated with vagina lactobacilli) and trichomoniasis.

Itching due to inflammatory skin condition

Irritating Contact dermatitis is the most common cause of itching of the vulva in all ages. Can be acute, relapsing or chronic. There may be several reasons, including:

• Age-related prepubertal or postmenopausal lack of estrogen
• Underlying trend atopic dermatitis
• Scratching and rubbing
• Friction from skin folds, clothing, activity, or sexual intercourse.
• Humidity due to occlusive underwear
• Urine and feces
• Soap or rough cleaner
• Frequent washing
• Inappropriate or unnecessary chemical applications, including lubricants, on the counter or prescription drugs
• Normal, excessive or infected vaginal secretions.

A severe vulvar itch may be due to:

• Lichen simplex
• Lichen sclerosus

• Lichen planus.

Other common skin disorders that can cause vulvar itching include:

• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Allergic contact dermatitis *

• Irritant or allergic contact urticaria
• Dermographism

• Folliculitis

* Vulvar potential Allergens include:

• Methylisothiazolinone, a preservative in wet wipes

• Various textile dyes in underwear.

• Fragrance in a shower or antiperspirant.

• Rubber accelerators in condoms, menstrual cups or underwear

• Adhesives on pads, pantyhose and tampons.

Latex rubber and semen are potential causes of contact urticaria.

Itching due to neoplasm

Benign and evil one neoplastic vulvar disorders are often asymptomatic in their early stages, but can be itchy. The most common cancerous lesions are:

• Scaly intraepithelial lesions (SIL, also known as vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or VIN)
• Extramammary Paget's disease
• Invader vulva Cancer (squamous cells carcinoma)

Itching due to neuropathy

Neuropathy should be considered a cause of vulvar itching if there are no signs of infection or skin disease other than lichen simplex, which may be secondary to a pruritus neuropathy, especially if vulvodynia is present. Neuropathy can be caused by injury, surgery, or local disease (pudendal entrapment), within the pelvis, or in the spine.

What are the clinical features of an itchy vulva?

The clinical features depend on the underlying cause of the vulvar itching. There may be an obvious or subtle eruption or there are no signs of illness at all.

In evaluating the cause, it is essential to determine the precise location of the symptoms. The itch often only affects one anatomical part of the vulva:

• Convex and thigh areas: irritating contact dermatitis due to urinary incontinence (usually symmetrical incontinence-associated dermatitis) or, rarely, allergic contact dermatitis (asymmetric)
• Push-ups: seborrheic, nonspecific or candida dermatitis intertrigo
• Mons pubis: seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis
• Majora's lip: genital psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen simplexunilateral or bilateral)
• Lips minor: lichen sclerosus, lichen planus
• Vaginal introitus: erosive lichen planus atrophic vulvovaginitis, vaginal discharge, or infection
• Perineum: dermatitis, lichen sclerosus
• Anywhere: neoplasm

Itchiness can also involve others adjacent skin of the abdomen, thighs and perianal zone.

An examination can reveal healthy skin, scratch marks (excoriations) and the specific characteristics associated with the underlying cause of the itch.

Morphology can be modified according to the site, with a minimum scale evident.

• Candida albicans vaginitis causes thick white vaginal discharge, erythemaand edema; Candida vulvitis causes superficial red satellite papules, pustules, peeling and erosions.

• Candida can also cause subtle fissure and subclinical dermatitis.

• Viral warts are grouped together as mild condylomas.

• Acute irritant contact dermatitis can be shiny, waxy, or scalded.

• Genital or flexural psoriasis has symmetrical circumscribed erythematous platesbut rarely are scaly.

• Seborrheic dermatitis presents with salmon pink, poorly defined patches, sometimes slight exfoliation.

• Allergic contact dermatitis can have a varied morphology, but tends to be asymmetric, intermittent.

• Lichen simplex is presented as confluent thickened papules with broken hairs.

• Lichen sclerosus usually has white patches, ecchymosis and erosions.

• Lichen planus may present as violaceous or hyperpigmented papules with a white lattice red (thighs), appear similar to lichen sclerosus; erosive lichen planus causes pain well defined red spots and erosions on the introitus / vagina and is generally not itchy.

• A squamous intraepithelial or invasive injury should be considered if there is a loner license plate with irregular shape, structure, surface and color. Firm or hard consistency and ulceration and bleeding are particularly concerning.

What are the complications of an itchy vulva?

An itchy vulva can cause a lot of psychological distress and insomnia. Scratching damages the skin, which can lead to pain and secondary bacterial infection.

How is the cause of an itchy vulva diagnosed?

The cause or causes of an itchy vulva can be diagnosed through a careful history (include genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems) and examination of the vulva.

A thorough skin exam can reveal a skin condition or disease elsewhere that hints at why the vulva itches.

• Bacterial and viral swabs from the affected area and vagina can be taken for a microbiological examination.

• Skin biopsy The area affected by itching or visible skin condition may be necessary to determine its exact nature. Sometimes several biopsies can be taken.

• Patch sometimes tests are done to see if there is any contact allergy is present.

What is the treatment for an itchy vulva?

Conditions that cause an itchy vulva often require specific treatment. For example:

• Current and oral antifungal or antibiotic for an infection

• Topical steroids or calcineurin inhibitors for inflammatory disease.

• Oral antihistamines for contact urticaria.
• Neoplasm surgery

• Tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake agents, and anticonvulsants for neuropathic symptoms

Nonspecific treatment

• Minimize scratching or rubbing the affected area.
• Wear loose absorbent underwear and outerwear.
• Avoid occlusive nylon, such as pantihose.
• Select modern absorbent underwear.
• Stay cool, especially at night.
• Apply emollients (eg, sorbolene) and barrier preparations (eg, petrolatum).
• Hydrocortisone cream It can be used safely and bought without a prescription.

Contact dermatitis occurs quite easily when inflamed skin affects the genital area.

• Wash once or twice a day with lukewarm water alone or use a cleaner without soap.
• Do not use wet wipes, antiperspirants, or other cosmetics on the vulva.
• Insert tampons carefully or use reusable silicone menstrual cups.
• Change sanitary pads, slippers, and incontinence products frequently.
• Avoid riding a bicycle or horse.

Tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed to control intractable itching, even in the absence of definite neuropathy.

How can vulvar itch be prevented?

A vulvar itch cannot always be prevented, depending on its cause. However, vulvar health is optimized with the nonspecific measures described above.

What is the outlook for vulvar itching?

Vulvar itching is usually a minor, short-term discomfort. However, some women can experience vulvar itching for years and can only receive temporary relief from treatment if they are not diagnosed correctly.