II. Definition

  1. Vulvar Itching

V. Causes: Post-menopausal women

  1. Includes causes seen in young women
  2. Atrophic Vaginitis
  3. Lichen Sclerosus
  4. Paget's Disease of the vulva
  5. Vulvar Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

VI. Evaluation

  1. Biopsy atypical vulvar lesions (rule-out cancer)

VII. Management: Prevention

  1. Treat specific causes
  2. Use loose fitting cotton (100%) underpants
    1. Consider not wearing underwear overnight
  3. Use only unscented (hypoallergenic) soaps and lotions
  4. Use unscented laundry detergent without dyes
  5. Avoid fabric softeners
  6. Wipe front to back after urinating or defecating
  7. Use white, unscented toilet paper
  8. Urinate with knees spread apart
  9. Maintain Ideal Weight
  10. Manage Incontinence
  11. Consider sitz bath for 10 minutes daily (girls)
  12. Pruritus Management with Sedating Antihistamine
    1. Hydroxyzine (Atarax) 50 mg PO at bedtime (adult dose)
  13. Wear cotton-liner gloves at night
  14. Use Vaginal Lubricants liberally before intercourse
    1. Use K-Y liquid instead of K-Y Jelly
    2. Astroglide
  15. Dry vulvar area gently after bath
    1. Pat dry or use hair dryer and
    2. Apply Skin Lubricant to vulva
      1. Vaseline
      2. Eucerin
      3. Crisco shortening (very effective)
  16. Avoid exacerbating factors
    1. Avoid scrubbing vulva
    2. Avoid douching
    3. Avoid panty liners or pads (use tampons instead)
    4. Avoid contraceptive foams
    5. Avoid Alcohol wipes
    6. Avoid bubble baths or prolonged soap exposures
      1. Use only Mild Soap or no soap on vulva
      2. Avoid hard water for bathing
    7. Avoid prolonged wearing of wet bathing suits
    8. Avoid tight restrictive clothing that causes sweating
    9. Avoid nylon tights or underwear
    10. Avoid frequent shaving of pubic hair (Folliculitis)

VIII. References

  1. Goroll (2000) Primary Care, Lippincott, p. 693-95
  2. Noble (2001) Primary Care, Mosby, p. 282
  3. Paek (2001) J Am Acad Dermatol 44:795-802 [PubMed]

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Related Studies

Ontology: Pruritus Vulvae (C0033778)

Definition (MSHCZE) Intenzivní svědění vnějších ženských genitálií. R
Definition (MSH) Intense itching of the external female genitals.
Concepts Sign or Symptom (T184)
MSH D011539
ICD10 L29.2
SnomedCT 156382000, 267853004, 201014006, 201013000, 67882000
English Pruritus Vulvae, PRURITUS VULVAE, Vulval pruritus, pruritus vulvae (diagnosis), vulvar itching (symptom), vulvar pruritus, pruritus vulvae, vulvar itching, Pruritus Vulvae [Disease/Finding], Itching;vulva, Pruritus;vulva, vulva itch, vulval itching, Vulvae - pruritus, Pruritus vulvae (disorder), Pruritus vulvae, Itching of vulva, Pruritus of vulva, Vulval itching, Pruritus of vulva (disorder), itch; vulva, pruritus; vulvae, vulva; itch, vulva; pruritus, vulvae; pruritus, itchy vulva, pruritis of vulva
Portuguese PRURIDO VULVAR, Prurido vulvar, Prurido Vulvar
Spanish PRURITO VULVAR, Picor vulvar, Prurito vulvar, prurito de la vulva (trastorno), prurito de la vulva, prurito vulvar, Prurito Vulvar
German PRURITUS VULVAE, Jucken der Vulva, Pruritis der Vulva, Pruritus vulvae
Swedish Klåda i vulva
Dutch pruritus van de vulva, vulvajeuk, vulvapruritus, jeuk; vulva, pruritus; vulvae, vulva; jeuk, vulva; pruritus, vulvae; pruritus, Pruritus vulvae
French Démangeaisons vulvaires, DEMANGEAISONS VAGINALES, Prurit vulvaire, Prurit de la vulve
Italian Prurito della vulva, Prurito vulvare
Japanese ガイインブソウヨウショウ, 外陰部そう痒症, 外陰部そう痒, ガイインブソウヨウ
Czech pruritus vulvae, Svědění vulvy, Vulvální pruritus, Pruritus vulvy, pruritus vulvy, pruritus zevních rodidel, svědění vulvy
Finnish Häpykutina
Russian VUL'VY ZUD, ВУЛЬВЫ ЗУД
Korean 외음가려움
Croatian PRURITUS VULVE
Polish Świąd sromu
Hungarian pruritus vulvae, Vulva viszketés, vulvaris viszketés
Norwegian Underlivskløe, Pruritus vulvae