What causes vulvar itching in women?

Vulvar itching in women may be caused by vulvitis, vaginitis, allergic reactions, diabetes, pubic lice, etc. Vulvar itching usually manifests as local skin redness, swelling, burning sensation, abnormal secretions and other symptoms. It is recommended to seek medical treatment in time to determine the cause.

1. Vulvitis

Vulvitis is an inflammation of the skin or mucous membrane of the vulva, which may be related to factors such as poor local hygiene and friction and irritation from clothing. Patients may experience symptoms such as vulvar skin redness, swelling, and pain. For treatment, it is necessary to keep the vulva clean and dry and avoid scratching. You can follow the doctor's advice to use red core feminine cleansing lotion, compound cork liquid liniment and other drugs to flush the vulva. If necessary, use clotrimazole vaginal tablets to fight infection.

2. Vaginitis

Vaginitis includes bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and other types, which are mostly related to vaginal flora imbalance. Typical symptoms are vulvar itching with tofu-like or fishy-smelling discharge. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed through routine examination of leucorrhea. You can use nifurfurtel, nystatin vaginal soft capsules, Baofukang suppositories and other drugs as directed by your doctor, and avoid the abuse of antibiotics.

3. Allergic reaction

Contact with sanitary napkins, condoms, detergents and other allergenic substances may cause vulvar contact dermatitis, which manifests as sudden severe itching and rash. The suspected allergen needs to be stopped immediately, and the vulva should be washed with clean water. Oral loratadine tablets can be taken as directed by the doctor to relieve symptoms, and hydrocortisone butyrate cream can be applied topically to relieve inflammation and itching.

4. Diabetes

When blood sugar is poorly controlled, urinary sugar stimulation and increased sugar content in vulvar skin can easily lead to secondary fungal infection, leading to intractable vulvar itching. Patients often suffer from symptoms of polydipsia and polyuria, and need to test blood sugar for diagnosis. Treatment requires controlling blood sugar to reach the target, topical use of ketoconazole cream as an antifungal, and daily use of pure cotton breathable underwear.

5. Pubic lice

Parasitic bites of pubic lice can cause severe itching of the vulva, which worsens at night, and gray-white eggs can be seen attached to the pubic hair. Pubic hair needs to be shaved and lice removed with sulfur ointment, and underwear must be boiled and disinfected. Sexual partners need to be treated simultaneously to avoid cross-infection.

You should choose loose-fitting cotton underwear every day, avoid using alkaline lotions to clean the vulva, and avoid eating spicy and irritating foods. It is forbidden to scratch during itching to prevent skin damage and infection. If there is no relief after 3 days of self-care, or symptoms such as odorous secretions or ulcers occur, you must immediately see a gynecologist for secretion testing and blood sugar screening. It is not recommended to use vaginal suppositories or douches by yourself until the cause of the disease is clear, so as not to interfere with the diagnosis.