Small red spots on the vulva

Women can find out whether they have gynecological diseases by observing changes in their vulva. However, if small red spots are found on the vulva, many women are still confused: because this situation is not mentioned in the symptoms of many gynecological diseases, and more are abnormal vaginal discharge or the presence of an odor. So, what are the little red spots on the vulva? It's probably vulvar herpes.

Herpetic vulvovaginitis is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 and is mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse. It is less common than herpetic gingivitis. At the beginning, there is local pain and difficulty urinating. The mucous membranes of the vulva, vagina, and cervix are red and swollen, with white patches. Ulcers may also form, covered with gray-yellow pseudomembranes. There may be scattered blisters on the skin near the vulva. Inguinal lymph nodes are swollen and tender, and other symptoms may include fever, myalgia, or meningitis.

For general patients, the principles are to relieve pain, shorten the course of the disease and prevent secondary infection.

1. Pain relief

Giving analgesics such as aspirin, metamizole, etc. and cyproheptadine can also relieve the pain. Various tranquilizers are effective for postherpetic neuralgia. For example, amitriptyline combined with perphenazine or fluphenazine or thioridazine can usually relieve pain within 1 to 2 weeks. Carbamazepine, chlorprothixene, and rotundine can all be tried. Some people use cimetidine to accelerate recovery and relieve pain. There are also reports of taking vitamin E 400 mg three times a day to prevent postherpetic neuralgia.

(ii) Antiviral agents

1. Adenosine 15 mg/kg is injected intravenously daily for 10 days. Early application can reduce acute pain and postherpetic neuralgia and accelerate recovery.

2. Early use of acyclovir or valacyclovir can inhibit the virus and prevent its spread.

3. Early application of high-dose interferon (5.1×10 IU/kg per day) can be used as an adjuvant treatment for active infection in high-risk patients.

(III) Corticosteroids

There is still controversy over the issue of corticosteroid treatment. Some people advocate that for elderly patients, if there are no obvious contraindications, early administration of prednisone can reduce inflammation, prevent toxic and destructive effects on ganglia and nerve fibers, reduce postherpetic neuralgia, and not affect the formation of specific immunoglobulin IgG.