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Itchy vulva

Author: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1997. Updated in January 2016.


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What is the vulva?

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

Itching often affects the vulva. The sensation of itch in this site in the absence of a known skin condition is referred to as pruritus vulvae. Pruritus vulvae should be distinguished from vulval pain and from vulvodynia, which refers to chronic burning symptoms in the absence of clinical signs. Vulval itch, pain and burning can co-exist.

Who gets an itchy vulva?

Girls and women of any age and race can experience mild, moderate or severe vulval itch, 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 vulval itch.

Itch due to infections

Candida albicans infection (vulvovaginal thrush) is the most important microorganism to consider in a postpubertal woman with vulval itch. 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 oestrogen or antibiotics, or the overgrowth of candida is secondary to an underlying skin disease.

Several less common infections may cause vulval itch.

Itch due to an inflammatory skin condition

Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common cause of an itchy vulva at all ages. It can be acute, relapsing or chronic. It may be due to various reasons, including:

  • Age-related prepubertal or postmenopausal lack of oestrogen
  • Underlying tendency to atopic dermatitis
  • Scratching and rubbing
  • Friction from skin folds, clothing, activity, or sexual intercourse
  • Moisture due to occlusive underwear
  • Urine and faeces
  • Soap or harsh cleanser
  • Frequent washing
  • Inappropriate or unnecessary chemical applications, including lubricants, over-the-counter or prescribed medications
  • Normal, excessive or infected vaginal secretions.

A severe vulval itch may be due to:

Other common skin disorders that may cause vulval itch include:

*Potential vulval allergens include:

Latex rubber and semen are potential causes of contact urticaria.

Itch due to neoplasia

Benign and malignant neoplastic disorders of the vulva are often asymptomatic in their early stages, but they can cause itch. The most common cancerous lesions are:

Itch due to neuropathy

Neuropathy should be considered as a cause of vulval itch if there are no signs of infection or skin disease apart from lichen simplex — which can be secondary to a pruritic neuropathy — especially if vulvodynia is present. The neuropathy may be caused by injury, surgery or disease locally (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 vulval itch. There may be an obvious or subtle rash or no signs of disease at all.

When assessing the cause, it’s essential to determine the precise location of the symptoms. Itch often only affects one anatomic part of the vulva:

The itch can also involve other adjacent skin of the abdomen, thighs and perianal area.

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

Morphology may be modified according to the site, with minimal scale evident.

  • Candida albicans vaginitis causes thick white vaginal discharge, erythema, and oedema; candida vulvitis causes satellite red superficial papules, pustules, desquamation and erosions.
  • Candida can also cause subtle fissuring and subclinical dermatitis.
  • Viral warts are clustered as soft condylomata.
  • Acute irritant contact dermatitis may be shiny or waxy or scald-like.
  • Genital or flexural psoriasis has symmetrical circumscribed erythematous plaques, but they are rarely scaly.
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis presents with salmon pink, poorly defined patches, sometimes with mild exfoliation.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis can have varied morphology but tends to be asymmetrical, intermittent.
  • Lichen simplex presents as confluent thickened papules with broken off hairs.
  • Lichen sclerosus typically has white plaques, ecchymoses and erosions.
  • Lichen planus may present as violaceous or hyperpigmented papules with a white reticulated network (thighs), appear similar to lichen sclerosus; erosive lichen planus causes tender well-defined red patches and erosions in the introitus/vagina and is not usually itchy.
  • An intraepithelial or invasive squamous lesion should be considered if there is a solitary plaque with irregular shape, structure, surface and colour. Firm or hard consistency and ulceration and bleeding are particularly concerning.

What are the complications of an itchy vulva?

An itchy vulva can result in a lot of psychological distress and sleeplessness. Scratching injures 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 may be diagnosed through careful history (include genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems) and examination of the vulva.

A full skin examination may reveal a skin condition or disease in another site that gives a clue to why the vulva is itchy.

  • Bacterial and viral swabs of the affected area and the vagina may be taken for microbiological examination.
  • Skin biopsy of the area affected by itch or visible skin condition may be necessary to determine its exact nature. Sometimes several biopsies may be taken.
  • Patch tests are sometimes performed to see whether any contact allergy is present.

What is the treatment for an itchy vulva?

The conditions causing an itchy vulva often require specific treatment. For example:

Nonspecific treatment

  • Minimise scratching or rubbing the affected area.
  • Wear loose-fitting absorbent underwear and outer clothing.
  • Avoid occlusive nylon such as pantihose.
  • Select modern absorbent underwear.
  • Keep cool, especially at night-time.
  • Apply emollients (eg, sorbolene) and barrier preparations (eg, petroleum jelly).
  • Hydrocortisone cream can be used safely and purchased without a prescription.

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

  • Wash once or twice daily with lukewarm water alone or use a soap-free cleanser.
  • Do not use leave-on moist wipes, antiperspirants or other cosmetics in the vulva.
  • Insert tampons with care or use reusable silicone menstrual cups.
  • Change sanitary pads, pantiliners and incontinence products frequently.
  • Avoid riding bicycles or horses.

Tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed to control intractable itch, even in the absence of a defined neuropathy.

How can vulval itch be prevented?

A vulval itch cannot always be prevented, depending on its cause. However, vulval health is optimised by the nonspecific measures described above.

What is the outlook for vulval itch?

Vulval itch is usually a minor, short-lived nuisance. However, some women may suffer from a vulval itch for years, and may only receive temporary relief from treatment if not correctly diagnosed.

 

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