What are the symptoms of vulvar dermatitis

Adult women should pay attention to the cleanliness of their vulva to prevent the occurrence of vulvar dermatitis, but what are the symptoms of vulvar dermatitis? The skin of the female vulva is relatively sensitive, so you should pay attention to hygiene. When itching, pain, or burning sensation occurs, you should pay attention to whether you have dermatitis. At first, it is only local. If it is not treated in time, the entire vulva skin will become inflamed, and it will be difficult to treat.

Symptoms of vulvar dermatitis

1. Clinical manifestations:

Itching, pain, and burning sensation of the vulvar skin usually occur on the labia minora and labia majora. In severe cases, it can affect the entire vulva. The manifestations are various, such as vulvar folliculitis, furuncle, hidradenitis, vulvar skin pustulosis, and in severe cases, vulvar cellulitis can form. Vulvar cysts and swollen inguinal lymph nodes, which are aggravated by activities, sexual intercourse, urination, and defecation. Examination revealed local congestion, swelling, erosion, often with scratches, and in severe cases, ulcers or eczema formed. Chronic inflammation can cause the skin to thicken, roughen, crack, and even form lichenification.

2. Common types include:

2.1. Acute nonspecific vulvitis

Acute nonspecific vulvitis is often secondary to poor perineal hygiene, skin infection, intestinal parasites, foreign bodies, urinary tract infection, etc. The cause of the disease is unknown in some patients. Patients experience pain, burning, itching in the vulva, and may even be afraid to urinate. There is a lot of leucorrhea, which is purulent. Physical examination may reveal swelling and redness of the vulva. Small erosions may occur in severe cases. The labia minora may adhere to each other, causing difficulty in urination. Especially for infants and young children, the epithelium of the labia minora is thin, and adhesion of the labia minora often occurs due to inflammatory stimulation. When bacteria enter along the opening of the hair follicles, folliculitis can occur, and the skin around the vulvar hair follicles becomes red, painful, and swollen, forming pustules with small pus heads in the middle. In severe cases, the inguinal lymph nodes are swollen and painful. This disease can be diagnosed by examining vaginal secretions under an optical microscope to exclude Trichomonas, fungal and gonococcal infections.

2.2. Specific vulvar and vaginitis

Specific vulvar and vaginitis are common in gonorrhea or other Neisseria infections, fungal infections, trichomoniasis, vaginal Haemophilus influenzae infections, viruses, chlamydia infections, etc.

2.2.1. Candida vulvitis In normal people, Candida can often be found on the vulvar skin and vaginal mucosa, but it does not cause disease. When the patient has low immune function, dysbacteriosis, pregnancy, or diabetes, it is conducive to the reproduction of Candida albicans and can cause disease. The main symptoms of vulvar candidiasis infection are vulvar itching, which may be accompanied by vulvar burning and painful urination. Physical examination may reveal redness and swelling of the vulvar skin, or accompanied by mild erosion, with fluid and crusting, and often papules on the edges. Bean-dreg-like leucorrhea is often found in the vulva and vagina, and optical microscopic examination can reveal pseudohyphae and spores to confirm the diagnosis.

2.2.2. Vulvar herpes virus infection

Whether or not the disease will occur and the severity of symptoms after vulvar herpes virus (HSV) infection depends on the body's resistance and immune status, and the incubation period is 3 to 7 days. About 50% of people have no symptoms or signs of infection. In patients with symptoms, the disease usually occurs in the vulva, vagina and cervix. Patients initially experience discomfort, low fever, and headache, followed by vulvar itching, burning pain, and difficulty urinating. Physical examination may reveal symmetrical, unequally sized, densely packed blisters or pustules on the labia majora mucosa, which are extremely painful. Blisters may rupture and merge into large lesions. The lesions will form a scab in 7 to 12 days and will take 3 to 6 weeks to completely heal. No scars or nodules will be left after healing. The virus often hides in the posterior roots of the sacral ganglia, waiting for an opportunity to cause disease. The disease is accompanied by swollen and painful inguinal lymph nodes, pelvic pain, frequent urination, urgency, and urinary retention. A smear of secretions is taken from the herpes lesions. After Papanicolaou staining, multinucleated giant cells, i.e. eosinophilic inclusion bodies, can be found under an optical microscope. Virus culture can confirm the diagnosis.