Vulvar pruritus-Causes, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach.
Journal
Deutsches Arzteblatt international
ISSN: 1866-0452
Titre abrégé: Dtsch Arztebl Int
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 101475967
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
21 02 2020
21 02 2020
Historique:
received:
16
05
2019
revised:
16
05
2019
accepted:
27
11
2019
entrez:
18
3
2020
pubmed:
18
3
2020
medline:
15
4
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life. This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment." The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors. As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment."
RESULTS
The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors.
CONCLUSION
As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32181734
pii: arztebl.2020.0126
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126
pmc: PMC7081372
doi:
pii:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
126-133Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Type : CommentIn
Type : CommentIn
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