Vulval irritation is a distressing symptom, which may arise from a number of causes including:-
- undergarments that have been washed in irritating chemicals such as detergents and fabric softeners and inadequately rinsed out.
- perfumed soaps and panty liners.
- detergents used to clean the bath.
- vaginal discharge with infection, particularly thrush ( vaginal infections) and trichomonas ( vaginal infections).
- diabetes - the vulval area appears red either due to sugar from the urine irritating the skin or from candida which enjoys the sugary environment. Sugar in the urine or a blood sugar test will confirm the diagnosis.
- warts ( 4)
- malignant change.
- psychosomatic ( 2).
How could my vulval irritation be treated?
This will depend on the cause. The irritation will usually vanish quickly if an irritating chemical, such as bath detergent or washing powder, can be identified and avoided. When the vulval skin disorder is part of a generalised skin problem, the advice of a dermatologist may be required. Diabetic vulvitis responds to control of sugar levels. Infections such as trichomonas, thrush and warts respond to the appropriate specific treatments.
Vulval skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus respond to topical steroid creams (6).
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What skin conditions may affect the vulva?
- 2 Which viral infections can affect the genitalia?
- 3 What problems can occur to people with herpes simplex?
- 4 What are genital warts?
- 5 What is lichen sclerosus?
- 6 How is lichen sclerosus treated?
- 7 What could be causing my vulval irritation?
- 8 How could my vulval irritation be treated?
- 9 What is a Bartholin's cyst / abscess?
- 10 How is a Bartholin's cyst / abscess treated?
- 11 What is vulvodynia?
- 12 How can my vulvodynia be treated?
- 13 What is vestibulitis?
- 14 How can my vestibulitis be treated?
- 15 Where can I obtain further information?
- 16 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
