Causes of itching around the vulva

Many times, itching around the vulva is caused by women not paying attention to personal hygiene in their daily lives, which leads to poor cleanliness of the vulva area. For example, some secretions or urine may infect the vulva. It may also be caused by the underwear being too airtight. Let us now understand the causes of itching around the vulva.

1. Local causes

(1) Special infections: Vulvovaginal Candida albicans vaginitis and Trichomonas vaginitis are the most common causes of vulvar pruritus. Pubic lice and scabies can also cause itching. Itching around the anus and vulva of young girls caused by pinworm infection usually occurs at night.

(2) Squamous cell hyperplasia: The main symptom is severe itching, which may be accompanied by whitening of the vulvar skin.

(3) Drug allergy or chemical irritation: Soap, condoms, benzalkonium bromide, etc. can cause contact or allergic dermatitis due to direct irritation or allergy, resulting in symptoms of vulvar itching.

(4) Bad hygiene habits: Not paying attention to the local cleanliness of the vulva, which is soaked with sebum, sweat glands, menstrual blood, vaginal secretions, and even urine and feces. Long-term stimulation of the vulva can cause itching; sanitary napkins during menstruation. Wearing non-breathable synthetic underwear on a regular basis can induce itching due to the accumulation of damp heat.

(5) Other skin lesions: abrasions, common warts, herpes, eczema, tumors, etc. can all cause vulvar itching.

2. Systemic causes

(1) Diabetes: Due to the irritation of diabetes to the vulvar skin, especially when accompanied by vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvar itching is particularly severe. Many patients first seek medical attention due to vulvar itching and redness, and are only diagnosed with diabetes after further examination.

(2) Jaundice, vitamin A and vitamin B deficiency. When patients with chronic diseases such as anemia and leukemia experience vulvar itching, it is often part of systemic itching.

(3) Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy may also cause itching of the skin all over the body, including the vulva.

(4) During pregnancy and premenstrual period, the vulva becomes congested, which may occasionally cause vulvar itching and discomfort.

(5) Unexplained vulvar pruritus: Some patients experience severe vulvar pruritus and even have suicidal thoughts, but no obvious systemic or local cause can be found. Some scholars currently believe that this may be related to mental or psychological factors.

After reading this article, I believe everyone has an understanding of the causes of itching around the vulva, so you need to find out your own reasons and then carry out some targeted treatments. Only in this way can you effectively treat vulvar itching. However, it is best not to use medication during menstruation.