Symptoms of vulva itching

Vulvar itching is a disease that most commonly occurs in adults, especially in women who are in menopause. However, the feeling of itching varies from person to person. For some women, the itching does not last very long, but it becomes more severe at night. The itching will be significantly intensified and unbearable. Let us now learn about some symptoms of vulvar itching.

Systemic pruritus is more common in adults, often starting from a certain part of the body and then gradually spreading to most of the body or the entire body. When itching occurs in a certain part of the body, it is called localized pruritus. It can also occur in several places at the same time, most commonly in the anus, scrotum, vulva and other parts. It can also be seen on the head, calves, palms and soles, and external auditory canal. This section focuses on itching diseases of the vulva and surrounding areas.

1. Vulvar pruritus Vulvar pruritus mostly occurs in women before and after menopause, which may be related to endocrine disorders, low sex hormone levels and menopausal autonomic dysfunction. Patients often have symptoms such as sweating, emotional instability and insomnia. The itching areas are mainly the labia majora and labia minora, but the mons pubis, clitoris and vaginal mucosa often feel itchy. In severe cases, it can affect the area around the anus and perineum. Drinking, mood changes, hot bedding, scratching and friction, and even certain cues may trigger or aggravate the itching. The degree of itching can vary from person to person and can last for different lengths of time. The itching is paroxysmal and worse at night. Severe itching can be unbearable and make the patient restless. Because severe itching seriously affects sleep, symptoms of neurasthenia such as dizziness, depression and loss of appetite may occur. Due to constant scratching, secondary damages such as strip-like scratches, blood scabs, papules, eczematous changes, lichenoid changes and pigmentation appear. The skin of the labia is often infiltrated and thickened, and the clitoris and vaginal mucosa may appear red, swollen and eroded. Local ulceration due to scratching may lead to secondary infection. Pruritus caused by different causes may have different clinical manifestations. Vulvar itching caused by candidal vulvovaginitis can be seen with white, tofu-like leucorrhea, and Candida growth can be found in the secretions under microscopic examination or culture. Trichomonas vaginitis causes vulvar itching, more leucorrhea in a foamy state, and Trichomonas vaginalis can be found. The itching caused by gonococci is generally accompanied by more purulent leucorrhea. Atrophy of the vulvar skin in elderly women can also cause vulvar itching. Vulvar itching caused by contact with contraceptive devices, rubber menstrual belts, diabetes, etc. is also not uncommon. However, there are also some cases of stubborn vulvar itching (including unmarried young women), and the current examination methods cannot find the cause.

2. Anal pruritus is generally more common in middle-aged men, but women can also get it, and children with pinworm disease can also get it. The itching is usually confined to the skin around the anus, but may spread to the skin of the perineum, vulva, or scrotum. Anal itching caused by pinworm infection is more common in children and often worsens at night. Pinworms or eggs can be found (the positive rate is higher at night). Anal itching in adults is often caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, etc. There are also many patients who cannot find the cause, and the symptoms of anal itching are very severe. Due to frequent scratching, the anal folds may develop secondary damage such as hypertrophy, radial fissures, infiltration, lichenification or eczematous changes.

Generally speaking, if the itching is localized, it has little to do with malignant tumors. However, it is worth noting that vulvar itching may be related to cervical cancer, and perianal itching is related to colorectal cancer.

This article explains in detail the symptoms of vulvar itching. After vulvar itching occurs, it will cause a series of complications, such as feeling a special pain in the head, and the pain will last longer and longer, and the leucorrhea will become much more than before.