It may affect the inside or outside of the labia folds.
These rashes can be itchy, bumpy, and red.
Causes vary from simple skin irritation and bacterial infections tosexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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This article will discuss the different causes of vaginal rashes.
It will also cover when to see a healthcare provider and treatment options.
Vaginitis has several underlying causes.
However, some rashes can cause symptoms to be felt throughout the body in the form offever and chills.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have a rash and these symptoms.
Below is a list of possible causes.
Folliculitis
Folliculitisis a skin rash that develops when hair follicles get blocked or damaged.
The hair follicle becomes infected with bacteria, typicallystaph, and forms a small bump on the skin.
This resembles a pimple and is red and tender.
Folliculitis can form around the vulva and tends to occur whenpublic hair is shavedor cut closely to the skin.
They appear in groups as small bumps in the vagina and around the vulva.
The bumps are flat or bumpy and have a cauliflower-like appearance.
The color is typically flesh-colored but may be slightly darker than the surrounding skin.
The warts are typically not painful or itchy.
They spread through sex with an infected partner.
Genital Herpes
Herpesis a viral STI that forms a rash around the vulva and anus.
It tends to start with flu-like symptoms and then progresses to a tingling sensation around the genitals.
The rash develops as a red, swollen area that can also feature small blisters.
When the blisters break open, they develop into painful sores.
The sores will scab over and heal within two to six weeks.
There is no cure for herpes, butoutbreakstend to lessen over time.
Possible Causes of Vaginal Rash With Itching
One common symptom of vaginal rashes is itching.
Below covers which rashes cause itching and other symptoms that are difficult to predict.
Contact Dermatitis
One common vaginal rash iscontact dermatitis.
It is caused when the skin comes in contact with something that causes anallergic reactionor irritation.
Common irritants include soap, shampoo, lotions, and perfumes.
The rash can be very itchy and bothersome but is typically not serious.
It typically affects women in their 50s and 60s.Lichen planusis not infectious and causes white streaks on the vulva.
Other symptoms include soreness, burning, and itching.
The rash tends to clear up after six to nine months and rarely lasts more than 18 months.
Scabies
Thescabiesrash is resulting from a tiny mite that burrows under the skin to lay its eggs.
The mites spread through direct skin contact and can infect any area of the body.
They are commonly seen in the knees, genitals, around the waist, hands, and feet.
The lice bite causes intenseitchingand a rash of red spots.
The lice spread through close bodily contact.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infectionsin the vagina are a common throw in of rash.
The symptoms include:
Psoriasis
Psoriasiscan occur on and around the vulva.
Generally, someone who has genital psoriasis also has psoriasis on other areas of the body.
It is rare to only have genital psoriasis.
Two types of psoriasis can occur on the genitals.
Inverse psoriasis causes red, tight, and smooth skin.
It can feel painful and itchy, and the skin may split.
Plaque psoriasis is another punch in that can be found around the vulva.
This bang out causes white, scaly skin patches.
Home treatment for a minor vaginal rash can help alleviate the symptoms but may not cure the cause.
Sores are open areas of the skin and are commonly because of more serious issues like STIs.
Seeing a Provider to Learn Vaginal Rash Cause
Several different causes can cause vaginal rashes.
Ahealthcare providerwill evaluate the rash and determine if testing is necessary.
When the diagnosis has been determined, the treatment plan will be provided.
Some rashes can get better on their own, while others need treatment.
Seek treatment if you have avaginal rash.
A provider can guide you to the correct treatment and get you better faster.
Bacterial vaginosis causes redness, pain, itching, a fishy odor, and white or gray discharge.
Yeast infections cause redness, itching, and a thick white discharge.
It’s important to contact a healthcare provider when a vaginal rash develops during pregnancy.
Treatment may be different during pregnancy than it would be for those who are not pregnant.
In these cases, the person may have to manage a chronic vaginal rash.
To help manage these symptoms, a person should take anyprescribed medicationsfor the rash.
They can also take over-the-counter pain relievers likeibuprofen.
There are several possible underlying causes, such as contact dermatitis, yeast infection, or an STI.
Though home treatment may be possible for some rashes, other types need treatment with prescription medications.
Therefore, reaching out to a healthcare provider for an evaluation and determination of proper treatment is best.
Kaiser Permanente.Vaginal rashes and sores.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy of female pelvic area.
Edward-Elmhurst Health.Do you gotta see a doctor for that rash?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital warts: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital herpes: signs and symptoms.
2019;40(2):105. doi:10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_45_19
National Health Service.Lichen planus.
National Health Service.Pubic lice.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A diagnostic test to detect different vaginal yeast infection types.
John Hopkins Medicine.Yeast infection.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Genital psoriasis.
March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.
