Why is labia itchy

Neuropathy should be considered as a cause of vulval itch if there are no signs of infection or skin disease apart from lichen simplex — which can be secondary to a pruritic neuropathy — especially if vulvodynia is present. The neuropathy may be caused by injury, surgery or disease locally pudendal entrapment , within the pelvis or in the spine. The clinical features depend on the underlying cause of the vulval itch. There may be an obvious or subtle rash or no signs of disease at all.

Itch often only affects one anatomic part of the vulva:. The itch can also involve other adjacent skin of the abdomen, thighs and perianal area. An examination may reveal healthy skin, scratch marks excoriations and the specific features associated with the underlying cause of the itch. Morphology may be modified according to the site, with minimal scale evident.

An itchy vulva can result in a lot of psychological distress and sleeplessness. Scratching injures the skin, which can lead to pain and secondary bacterial infection. The cause or causes of an itchy vulva may be diagnosed through careful history include genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems and examination of the vulva. A full skin examination may reveal a skin condition or disease in another site that gives a clue to why the vulva is itchy.

Contact dermatitis occurs quite readily when inflamed skin affects the genital area. Tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed to control intractable itch, even in the absence of a defined neuropathy.

A vulval itch cannot always be prevented, depending on its cause. However, vulval health is optimised by the nonspecific measures described above. A sexually transmitted infection STI that may cause vaginal itching is pubic lice , also known as "crabs. It's most common to get them through direct contact between your pubic hair and that of someone who has them.

It's rare but possible to pick them up from bedding or clothing that you may share with an infected person. Pubic lice generally live on the mons pubis, which is the fleshy area at the top of the vulva where most of your pubic hair is. Itching may be your only clue that they're there unless you look very close, and then you may see the tan or grayish lice on your pubic hair or skin or see their yellow or white eggs attached to the hair.

Other than the itching, you shouldn't experience any symptoms because of the lice, and they aren't otherwise harmful. You can get rid of pubic lice with:. You'll also need to machine-wash and dry any clothes, bedding, or towels that you used over the previous two or three days to kill anything still living on them. While it may seem like shaving your pubic hair would be a good way to get rid of these parasites, it only gets rid of the eggs and the lice will just crawl to the first body hair they can find.

If you do want to shave to make sure all the nits are gone, experts recommend waiting until after treatments have killed all the lice. You may have itching for a while after the lice are gone. Try to avoid scratching, as you could damage your skin and develop an infection. If you notice redness or swelling in places where you've scratched, they could be a sign of infection.

Be sure to see your healthcare provider for that. The only way to prevent pubic lice is by not having sex or another type of close contact with anyone who has them.

Any time you find out you have a sexually transmitted infection, you should contact all recent sexual partners and refrain from sex until you've received treatment. Genital herpes , another STI, is a common cause of genital itching. Many cases of genital herpes are asymptomatic or have mild, infrequent symptoms. They can be on the vulva or perineum space between the vaginal and anal openings as well as inside the vagina and even on the cervix which connects the vagina to the uterus.

When sores are present, it's called an outbreak. Other possible symptoms you may experience during an outbreak include:. You can catch genital herpes by having unprotected genital contact with the genitals, anus, or lips of someone who has it.

A condom can provide significant—but not total—protection. The condition can be managed with antiviral medications which also can help prevent it from spreading , over-the-counter pain medications, and cool compresses on the sores. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that makes the skin thin, pale, and wrinkly.

It usually affects the genitalia and anus but also can strike the chest and arms. It's most common in women over age 50 and pre-pubescent girls. It's not always symptomatic but can cause:.

Lichen sclerosis usually relapses and remits comes and goes and can cause permanent scars, and it usually gets worse over time if it's not properly treated. It can't be cured, so treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms. Standard treatment includes:. If you have vaginal or vulvar itching without abnormal discharge that lasts more than a few days, you should see your healthcare provider. What appears to be a minor problem like razor burn may be something more serious, such as genital herpes.

Using the wrong treatment may further irritate your skin and lead to even more discomfort. If your itching is accompanied by abnormal discharge or pelvic pain, see your healthcare provider right away. Itching that won't go away can be a big distraction and detract significantly from your quality of life. Different causes of itchiness can require different treatments. General treatments for an irritating itch include:.

And as hard as it is, try not to scratch. Preventing vaginal and vulvar itching means protecting your skin and vaginal health. Good skin care can help prevent a lot of itching, especially due to dry skin. Dermatologists recommend that you:. Good genital health can also help prevent itching and other problems. Your vagina is healthiest when it has the right balance of bacteria, called vaginal flora. When you have the right amount of good bacteria, it keeps the environment slightly acidic, which keeps the bad bacteria from getting out of control.

A lot of things can disrupt that balance, including:. You can take steps to maintain good vaginal and vulvar health, such as:. Vaginal, vulvar, and anal itching are topics you might be uncomfortable bringing up with your healthcare provider.

Given the seriousness of some conditions that can cause that itching, though, it's important for you to overcome your embarrassment and get it checked. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can bring you relief and peace of mind. Most of the time, vaginal itching is harmless, but it can be a sign of a problem that may warrant a visit to the gynecologist. Possible causes include a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, certain STIs, allergic reactions, and irritation from soaps and creams.

Female genital itching can be relieved by applying a cold compress for five to 10 minutes, using a fragrance-free lotion or lubricant, or applying topical anesthetics or treatments. If your vaginal area itches for more than a few days, is extremely uncomfortable, or is accompanied by abnormal discharge or pelvic pain, call your healthcare provider.

Yes, an itchy vagina and vulva can indicate a yeast infection. In rarer cases, more itching at night in that area can be the result of pinworms, adds Dr. Medeiros, small parasites that can live in the colon or rectum, but the itching is usually closer to the rectum than the vagina in that case.

Here are a few things that might be causing the itch—and how to take care of it for good. Bacterial vaginosis BV is a pretty common condition caused by bacterial overgrowth and a pH imbalance in the vagina. Though it can affect all women, higher rates of BV are particularly prevalent among Black women, though experts don't really know why, says Dr.

It may be related to a genetic predisposition, found one study in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Acidity in the vagina is actually a good thing, as it kills off bad bacteria, she says.

Eczema often appears in the crevices of arms, in folds, the groin area, and on the labia, she explains. Psoriasis can also present on the skin around the vagina, she adds. Most people with eczema and psoriasis are well-versed in the appearance and treatment of these red, patchy rashes. Chinn says that psoriasis can sometimes warrant a prescription for an oral pill or a topical cream. Ever try a new moisturizing cream and wind up with dried out, flaky skin or a full-blown rash a few days later? Well, guess what: The same thing can happen to the skin around the vagina.

In the meantime, stop using whatever you think is bugging you, treat the itch with an Epsom salt bath or an OTC hydrocortisone cream applied externally, and wait a few days to see if the itch resolves. If not, go see your doctor. Vaginal yeast infections, which occur when there is an overgrowth of the fungus Candida , are probably the first thing people think of when they feel that telltale itching down there. Minkin says. But she also notes that only about one-third of women who experience itching and irritation truly do have a yeast infection.

The easiest way to tell which category you fall into is to use an OTC treatment like Monistat. Itching isn't really a classic symptom of most STDs, though it can sometimes be a first sign that something is up, says Dr. From there, symptoms may progress to burning, painful urination, smelly discharge, sores on your genitals, or painful intercourse, at which point you should definitely head to your ob-gyn for a vaginal culture.

The STDs below are most commonly associated with itchiness down there, among other symptoms. Here's what to look out for:. No one wants to think about bugs crawling around on any part of their body, but especially not down there.

Chinn: bites from the crabs and the eggs nits they lay on your skin, both of which cause irritation. Or maybe you loan your sister your pants and [she] had them, then you wear the pants and the crabs crawl into the vaginal area. Another dermatology issue like eczema or psoriasis, lichen sclerosus is a patchy white rash that causes intense itching and often pops up in your genital area though it can appear on other parts of the body, too.

It can be treated with a prescription-strength topical steroid, but Dr. Minkin says a lichen sclerosus rash can often mimic vulvar cancer, so its appearance may complicate things a little.

When your hormones fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, you might end up with drier vaginal tissue than normal, which can cause itching.