Itching or irritation can be felt at any age, on any part of the body, and in any gender. But if it occurs in any sensitive part of your body, like the vulva & vagina, it causes discomfort and affects your daily routine. If you are experiencing discomfort, itching, or burning in your vulva, then you are not alone! Vulvar irritation is a common yet uncomfortable issue that affects many women. Infection, allergies, or reactions to certain types of clothing, toilet paper, fragrant soaps, and creams are a few factors to mention to cause it.
You can treat symptoms of vulvar irritation with proper diagnosis, medicine, and treatment. But never scratch your rash, as it will get worse.
What is vulvar irritation?
Vulvar irritation is inflammation in your genitals or vulva. The structure of the vulva includes soft folds of skin in the surrounding area of your vagina, including outer folds (labia majora), vaginal lips (labia minora), and clitoris. Any infection, allergy, or injury irritates your skin and causes inflammation. In addition, the vulva is usually a warm & moist part of your body, making it an attacking site for bacteria, fungi, and irritants.
Who are the main targets of vulvar irritation?
Women are the primary victims of vulvar irritation. According to Majerovich, half of all women aged more than 24 years had at least experienced it once. Lower estrogen level in females, especially in puberty or post-menopause, causes vulvar tissues to be thinner & dried up, which leads to inflammation as well as injury.
What are the symptoms of vulvar irritation?
Symptoms may include:
- Itching & Burning
- Small cracks on vulva skin
- Vaginal discharge.
- Small cracks on your vulva’s skin.
- Redness and swelling on your inner vulva
- White & thick skin patches on the vulva that irritates.
- Dyspareunia (painful sex)
What causes vulvar irritation?
Infections, allergies, injuries, and irritants can all cause burning and itching in your vulva. Dyed or perfumed toilet paper.
- Underwear or sanitary pads containing harsh chemicals
- Vaginal sprays, soaps containing toxic chemicals
- Eczema
- Laundry detergents or fabric softeners
- Spermicides
- Talcum powder, perfumes & deodorants
- Yeast infection & Scabies
- Genital herpes, chlamydia, or other Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- During menopause, vaginal atrophy
- Hair removal products
- Sweating trapped due to wearing tight clothes may cause irritation
- Genital Psoriasis
- Lichen sclerosis causes small white patches around the vaginal skin
- Lichen planus
- Vulval cancer
Diagnosis of vulvar Irritation
Your doctor will check your medical history and describe your hygiene habits and symptoms. Complete physical examination with a pelvic checkup, changes in skin conditions like blisters, lesions, or redness, and vaginal fluids are common for diagnosing vulvar irritation. Depending upon the severity of the disease, you may be asked for the following tests:
- Blood tests
- Urine Tests
- Pap smear
- STI
Prevention of vulvar irritation
- Maintaining personal hygiene and preferring the use of a bidet instead of toilet paper
- Using medicated creams, gels & barrier creams
- For internal treatment, use tablets, vaginal creams, or gels
- Oral treatment
Home treatments
- If you are experiencing worse conditions, call your doctor and take prescribed over-the-counter medicines on time.
- Wash your vulva with cool water and without unscented soap. Pat it dry.
- Do not have sex till you feel better, as it will affect your health and your intimate relationship.
- Apply vaginal moisturizer if you are suffering from vaginal dryness. Before having sex, you can apply Astroglide (water-based lubricant) to the vagina.
- Avoid using vaginal sprays on your vulva.
- If itching, use a cold pack and do not scratch.
- Avoid using underwear when you are sleeping.
- Avoid scented toilet paper or toilet pads, bubble baths, creams, feminine sprays, and douches
- using ointments & anti-itching creams.
- Apply cold compresses for pain relief.
- You can apply a thin layer of skin protectants like olive oil or coconut oil on your vulvar skin to relieve irritation.
