What exactly is causing female vulvar itching?

Vaginal itching is a very common symptom of gynecological diseases. The vulva is a particularly sensitive area. Various gynecological diseases and external stimuli can cause itching, making people unable to sleep or eat, and unable to sit or lie down. So what are the causes of vaginal itching?

Fungal vaginitis

Itching of the vulva and vagina, flushing of the vulva, and leucorrhea resembling bean curd residue with an odor. Scratching may cause eczematous changes of the vulva dermatitis.

Trichomoniasis

Itching of the vulva and vagina, foamy leucorrhea, often accompanied by a special odor, and scratching also causes eczematous changes in the vulva dermatitis. A vaginal smear test can be used to distinguish it from the above conditions.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice often lie on the surface of the skin or attach to the roots of pubic hair. Pubic lice eggs are grayish white and the size of a pinhead. The bites of pubic lice and their venom and excrement can cause itching and desquamation of the skin, and may lead to eczematous changes and folliculitis.

Drug allergy

"Fixed drug rash" caused by sulfonamides or other drugs in women with allergic constitution often occurs at the junction of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva. In addition to local itching, it may be complicated by erosion and exudation. Vulvar itching may also occur if allergic reactions and contact dermatitis occur when using drugs for vaginal washing or vaginal insertion.

Genital diseases

The skin lesions of tinea cruris often extend to the vulva, causing severe local itching. The local itching caused by vulvar eczema and neurodermatitis is more severe. The former is manifested as papules and blisters with unclear local skin boundaries and erosion exudate, while the latter often causes thickening of the skin with lichenification due to scratching. In addition to causing local itching, leukoplakia of the vulva is often accompanied by vulvar malnutrition and skin atrophy.

Viral infection

Genital warts mostly occur on the female vaginal wall, cervix and vulva, and may also cause foul-smelling leucorrhea. Molluscum contagiosum occurring in the vulva often presents as round papules with an umbilical-like depression in the center, and may also cause itching in the vulva. Genital herpes is often manifested by the appearance of bright, rice-sized blisters on the urethral opening and vaginal wall, in addition to local itching.

Sexual allergy

It is an allergic reaction that occurs during sexual intercourse. There are people who are allergic to semen, condoms, and friction.

Vulvar dystrophy

The vulva has been itchy for a long time, the skin and mucous membranes have become pale due to hypopigmentation, and the local skin has become thicker and thicker, which is collectively called vulvar leukoplakia.

Other causes

When women suffer from diabetes, due to the irritation of the vulvar skin by urine sugar, they are prone to complications of bacterial vulvar and vaginitis, causing vulvar itching. When jaundice occurs due to liver, gallbladder and other diseases, vulvar itching may also occur due to the increase of bilirubin in the blood and the irritation of the skin by bile salts. In addition, some women may experience vulvar itching due to psychological factors when they are under stress.