How can you treat it? Vulvar leukoplakia

Patient's question:

Description of the problem: Vulvar leukoplakia, no cancer cells found

Doctor's answer:

Vaginal leukoplakia refers to localized or diffuse white patches appearing on the skin of the female genital area, which can spread to the inner thighs, perineum, and anus but rarely affect the urethral opening or vestibule. Symptoms include itching in the genital area, dry skin, thickening and whitening, loss of elasticity, and even atrophy and ulcers, accompanied by pain and a burning sensation. Clinical pathological examination reveals atypical cell hyperplasia, which falls under the category of "vaginal pruritus," "vaginal pain," and "vaginal soreness" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is often caused by damp-heat from the liver channel descending to invade the external genitalia, or by blood deficiency leading to liver hyperactivity, yin deficiency in the liver and kidneys, or kidney yang deficiency, all of which result in insufficient nourishment of the external genitalia. Vaginal itching may sometimes be accompanied by a burning or painful sensation. Vaginal leukoplakia is also known as leukoplakia of the external genitalia, a chronic nutritional deficiency disease of the female genital area. It includes primary vaginal atrophy, atrophic lichen sclerosus, leukoplakia of the external genitalia, leukoplakic vaginitis, and vaginal xerosis. Clinicians typically categorize conditions where the skin and mucosa become white, rough, and atrophic as vaginal leukoplakia. In TCM, it is referred to as "vaginal eczema," "vaginal ulcers," "vaginal erosion," and "vaginal pain." This condition is considered a precancerous lesion. TCM treats it based on different pathological characteristics and clinical symptoms, under the categories of "vaginal pruritus" and "vaginal ulcers." "Vaginal pruritus with wind" and "vaginal ulcers with damp-heat accumulation."
Being diagnosed with vaginal leukoplakia indeed brings significant suffering and inconvenience to patients and their families. However, many people with this condition are unaware of the precautions they should take in daily life. Therefore, it is important to remind patients to pay attention to the following:
(1) Wear loose, breathable underwear and pants, preferably made of pure cotton, and avoid synthetic materials such as polyester.
(2) Keep the affected area dry, well-ventilated, and cool.
(3) Some women overclean, cleaning daily.