What are the causes of vulvar itching?

Many people think that vulvar itching is vaginitis. In fact, vulvar itching is not necessarily vaginitis, it may also be caused by tumors, allergies, etc. Therefore, if vaginal itching occurs again, you should observe whether ulcers and nodules appear. Do not blindly use medication to treat it, especially if vulvar itching does not heal for a long time. You should go to the hospital for examination in time. The following experts will give you a detailed introduction to which diseases can cause vulvar itching.

Vulvar itching or malignant tumor

When it comes to vulvar itching, what is your first reaction? Vaginitis! This is a normal reaction for most people. With the mentality of "treating minor illnesses by oneself", it is better to just buy some medicine and apply it on the hidden diseases in private parts. Little do people know that vulvar skin itching may be caused by vaginitis, vulvitis, or vulvar malignant tumors.

It is reported that a woman in Jiangsu had itchy vulva skin for three years. She felt that she was in good health, so she bought medicine at a small pharmacy for treatment. The symptoms were slightly relieved, so she didn't take it seriously. Later, an ulcer was found at the urethral opening. The symptoms did not improve significantly after taking the medicine. Instead, the edge of the ulcer became hard and swollen, covered with white spots, and accompanied by pain. After several rounds of treatment, it was discovered that it was a malignant tumor of the vulva.

It is understood that the incidence of vulvar malignant tumors is low, accounting for about 1% of female systemic malignant tumors and 3%-5% of female reproductive tract malignant tumors. It is common in women over 60 years old, among which squamous cell carcinoma is the most common. The early symptoms of vulvar malignancy are often vulvar itching, which can be easily ignored by patients or delayed due to improper treatment. The only way to diagnose vulvar malignancy is to do a histopathological examination. Since the prognosis of vulvar cancer is related to the size of the cancer, the depth of invasion, the location of the lesion, the clinical stage, the status of lymph node metastasis and the treatment measures, early detection and early treatment have a great impact on its prognosis. Women are reminded that if they experience recurring vaginal itching or vulvar nodules and ulcers, they must pay enough attention and do not think that everything will be fine if they buy medicine privately for treatment.

The following diseases can cause vulvar itching:

1. Candidal vulvovaginitis

Candida may parasitize on the vulvar skin and vaginal mucosa of normal people, but it is not pathogenic. When the body's immune function is weakened or pregnancy, diabetes or the use of large amounts of antibiotics lead to an imbalance in the vaginal flora, Candida can proliferate rapidly and cause vulvovaginitis.

2. Trichomonas vulvovaginitis

The disease is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis growing and multiplying in the vagina. It can be transmitted directly through sexual intercourse or indirectly through cross-infection through bathtubs and toilet seats.

3. Pubic lice

Caused by pubic lice, transmitted indirectly through sexual contact or bedding

4. Vulvar scabies

It is caused by the parasite Scabies and spreads through direct or indirect contact between people.

5. Tinea cruris

It is a superficial fungal disease caused by skin fungi. The most common pathogens are epidermal fungi. The patient feels extremely itchy and the condition worsens in hot weather.

6. Vulvar genital irritation

It is a common sexually transmitted disease in recent years, and its incidence rate is second only to gonorrhea. The pathogen is human papillomavirus (type 6 and type 11 are the most common), which is often caused by a history of unclean sexual intercourse. The incubation period is 3 weeks to 8 months (average 3 months), and there may be no symptoms in the early stages.

7. Seborrheic dermatitis

It is a chronic skin inflammation related to sebum secretion, which is more common on the scalp, but can also appear in other parts of the body rich in sebaceous glands. Vulvar lesions are one of its manifestations, and it often occurs in young people and adults with active sebaceous gland secretion. The most common sites of disease are the scalp, under the breasts, armpits, vulva, inner thighs, and groin. Those who develop the disease in the vulva usually also develop the disease in other parts of the body at the same time, and often only experience local skin itching without other discomfort.

8. Vulvar eczema

It is a non-infectious inflammatory skin disease caused by allergic reactions, neurological dysfunction, congenital allergic constitution, etc.

9. Vulvar psoriasis

Psoriasis, also known as psoriasis, is a benign non-infectious acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease. Distributed throughout the body, mostly on the extensor side, especially on the elbows and knees, and the vulva is only a part of the systemic lesions.

10. Vulvar neurodermatitis

Also known as simple lichen, it is a vulvar skin disease characterized by persistent vulvar itching and lichen sclerosis. It is more common in elderly women or postmenopausal women.

11. Vulvar contact dermatitis

It is a non-infectious inflammation of the vulva skin caused by contact with some irritating substances or allergic substances. There is a history of contact with strong acid and alkali disinfectants, vaginal douches, some dyed clothing, or penicillin and other allergic drugs.

12. Vulvar squamous epithelial hyperplasia

Vulvar diseases with vulvar itching as the main symptom but unknown cause were formerly called proliferative dystrophy. They are more common in middle-aged women before the age of 50, but can also occur in the elderly.

13. Vulvar lichen sclerosus

It is a skin disease of unknown cause, characterized by atrophy and thinning of the vulva and perianal skin. It can occur in women of any age, including young girls, with the highest incidence rate around 40 years old.

14. Eczematoid carcinoma of the vulva

It is a rare, characteristic, slowly developing malignant tumor of the tear film. More common in elderly women. It manifests as long-term and stubborn vulvar itching and burning sensation.

15. Varicose veins of the vulva

It is mostly caused by increased pelvic pressure and blood circulation disorders in the vulva due to pregnancy or huge pelvic tumors, and may also be caused by defects in the internal iliac vein valves.

16. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

It is a complication of pregnancy, often with a family history or history of oral contraceptive use. Mild jaundice appears around 28 weeks of pregnancy, with general itching and vulvar itching as local manifestations, and the symptoms disappear after delivery.

17. Simple vulvar pain and itch

It is vulvar itching without obvious lesions and may be related to mental or psychological factors. It is usually only seen in women of childbearing age or before menopause. The itching often affects the entire vulva, but it may also occur only on one side of the vulva or in a part of the vulva. The itching is extremely severe and often unbearable.

After learning about the diseases that can cause vulvar itching, I believe everyone has a deeper understanding of this type of disease. Vulvar itching can cause great harm to the human body, so once vulvar itching occurs, it should be taken seriously, and you should go to the hospital immediately to find out the cause and receive targeted treatment in a timely manner to cure the disease as soon as possible.