Common causes of vulvar itching

Generally speaking, the symptom of vulvar pruritus is not a disease in the strict sense, but a symptom of certain diseases. Generally speaking, gynecological inflammation can cause this phenomenon, and diabetes can also cause similar complications. Even healthy women may occasionally experience vulvar pruritus. The causes are mainly divided into two categories: local causes and systemic causes.

1. Local causes

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

(2) Chronic vulvar dystrophy: The main symptom is severe itching, accompanied by pale vulvar skin.

(3) Drug allergy or chemical irritation: Soap, condoms, Chlorhexidine, 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, sebum, sweat, menstrual blood, vaginal secretions, and even urine and feces can cause long-term stimulation to the vulva and cause itching; using unclean menstrual belts during menstruation and wearing non-breathable synthetic underwear 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 the vulvar skin caused by diabetes, especially when accompanied by candidal vulvitis, the vulvar itching is severe. Many patients first seek medical treatment due to vulvar itching and redness, and are diagnosed with diabetes only after further examination.

(2) When patients with jaundice, vitamin A and B deficiency, anemia, leukemia and other chronic diseases experience vulvar itching, it is often part of generalized itching.

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

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

(5) Unexplained vulvar itching: Some patients have severe vulvar itching, but no obvious systemic or local cause can be found. Currently, some scholars believe that it may be related to mental or psychological factors.