Vulvitis

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Discontinue the use of any potential irritants. An over-the-counter cortisone cream may be used two or three times a day on the affected area for up to 1 week. If these measures do not relieve symptoms, see your health care provider.

If discharge from a vaginal infection is the cause of vulvitis, the source of the vaginal infection should be treated. Cortisone cream may be used to decrease vulvar itching.

If treatment of vulvitis does not work, further evaluation may include biopsy of the skin to rule out the potential of vulvar dystrophy (a chronic vulvar skin condition) or vulvar dysplasia, a precancerous condition. A biopsy may also be necessary if any skin lesions are present.

Itching may be hard to control, but after the cause is identified and treated, it should go away in several weeks.

Itching of the vulva may be a sign of genital warts (HPV - human papilloma virus), vulvar dystrophy, or vulvar dysplasia (a precancerous condition).

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which can cause vulvitis, may lead to other problems, such as infertily. STDs should be treated appropriately.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms occur and do not respond to self care measures, or if vaginal discharge accompanies the symptoms. Also call if skin lesions are noted on the vulva.

Review Date: 11/08/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.