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Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2020In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment."
RESULTS
The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors.
CONCLUSION
As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Topics: Female; Germany; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 32181734
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... Apr 2016Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course... (Review)
Review
Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course of various cutaneous and systemic conditions. It is one of the common, extremely annoying symptom for which patients attend the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD). Anogenital skin is highly sensitive to soaps, perfumes, clothing and superficial trauma and it is more prone for itchy dermatoses as a result of warmth, friction, lack of aeration, sweating and occlusive inner garments. Anogenital pruritus is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases which includes localized infections, infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, allergic and irritant conditions, anorectal diseases, systemic causes, nutritional disorders, psychological and when the cause cannot be found out it is often termed idiopathic. Patients are highly reluctant in consulting the physician for anogenital itch in the early stage, they usually present at a later stage with either atypical manifestations or depigmentation and lichenification, secondary to constant scratching. They often resort to over the counter topical agents, particularly combination products which contain topical steroids. The irrational use of such products results in complications like skin atrophy, striae, incognito etc. A proper clinical history, clinical examination, investigations like scrapping for fungus and itch mite, skin biopsy, patch test and relevant blood investigations to rule out systemic conditions should be carried out, when needed, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, before treating the patient.
PubMed: 27190932
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18440.7703 -
British Medical Journal Jun 1973
Topics: Clothing; Deodorants; Female; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 4714862
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal Jun 1973
Topics: Clothing; Female; Humans; Nylons; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 4714496
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5865.553-b -
British Medical Journal Mar 1973
Topics: Denervation; Female; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 4692703
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal Mar 1971
Topics: Adult; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Child; Female; Humans; Leukoplakia; Oxyuriasis; Pruritus Vulvae; Tinea; Trichomonas Vaginitis; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 5548843
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5750.656 -
British Medical Journal Nov 1949
Topics: Humans; Pruritus
PubMed: 15394029
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.4638.1196 -
Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal Dec 1874
PubMed: 35826583
DOI: No ID Found -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... 2017According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through...
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through menopause and its associated emotional, physical, and hormonal changes. These changes are due to gradual loss of estrogen that comes with menopause which results in dramatic changes in the appearance of vulva and vagina. With age, skin of vulva becomes thin, loses elasticity, and moisture so that the patient starts feeling burning and itchy sensation. The normal acidic pH changes to basic which alters the flora and makes the person prone to other bacterial infections. Apart from infections, there are many other dermatological and nondermatological causes of vulvar itching in this age group such as eczema, contact dermatitis, lichen planus (LP), lichen sclerosus atrophicans, lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), prolapse, incontinence, and carcinoma. The aim is to diagnose the causes of pruritus vulvae in the geriatric age group to decrease the misery of these patients.
METHODS
We selected 40 consecutive females of age group ranging from 60 to 75 years coming to skin OPD with the complaint of pruritus of vulvar region over a period of 1 year. Clinical examination, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, wet mount, pap smear, and skin biopsy were done in every case.
RESULTS
Out of the forty patients who were included in this study, 17 (42.5%) were diagnosed as a case of LSC and 11 (27.5%) patients had atrophic vaginitis. Three (7.5%) patients presented with tinea. Three (7.5%) cases were clinically diagnosed as scabies. Another 2 (5%) cases were diagnosed as LP and was seen in other 2 (5%) cases. 1 (2.5%) case was diagnosed as bacillary vaginosis and 1 (2.5%) patient was of lichen sclerosus.
CONCLUSION
Pruritus vulvae of geriatric age group are of diverse etiology, therefore, treatment based on precise diagnosis is of prime importance.
PubMed: 28442799
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7184.192632 -
Edinburgh Medical Journal Oct 1872
PubMed: 29639268
DOI: No ID Found