Patient's question:
My girlfriend has been experiencing severe itching in her lower body these past few days! Yesterday, she even scratched it, and it's quite urgent! Please advise! I hope you can inform us of the cause and the solutions.Doctor's answer:
Hello, vulvar pruritus is a symptom caused by various non-specific lesions of the vulva and is one of the more common and distressing symptoms in gynecological diseases.Etiology
1. Local Causes
① Special infections: Candidal vulvovaginitis and trichomonal vaginitis are the most common. Scabies and lice can also cause itching. Pruritus around the anus and vulva in young girls caused by pinworms typically occurs at night.
② Vulvar white lesions: Also known as chronic vulvar dystrophy, it is primarily characterized by severe itching, accompanied by white patches on the vulvar skin. In postmenopausal women, hypofunction of the ovaries can lead to vulvar pain and itching.
③ Drug allergies and chemical irritations: Soaps, Betadine, contraceptive devices, perineal pads, nylon pants, and other synthetic fabrics can cause contact dermatitis and itching.
④ Irritating vaginal discharge stimulating the vulva: Such as atrophic vaginitis, cervical erosion, cervical polyps, liquid irritation, diabetes, cystitis, pyelonephritis with ammonia urine, incontinence, and diabetes.
⑤ Skin diseases of the vulva: Lichen planus, chronic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, abrasions, rashes, and tumors.
2. Systemic Causes
① Diabetes.
② Deficiency of vitamins A and B, anemia, leukemia, etc., leading to vulvar pruritus.
③ Unexplained vulvar pruritus. Currently, it is believed to be related to psychological factors.
Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Itching is most commonly located on the clitoris and labia minora, but can also affect the labia majora, perineum, or perianal skin. It may occur in episodes or be persistent, often worsening at night.
During diagnosis,