Can vulvitis heal itself?

Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Generally, vulvitis cannot be cured. Vulvitis is a common gynecological condition. Following vaginitis, symptoms include vulva swelling, pain, erosion, and itching, causing significant discomfort to the female body and potentially leading to other types of complications. Vulvitis is caused by infections of bacteria or viruses and requires medical treatment and care, usually not healing on its own. The treatment principle should focus on treating the primary disease, keeping the vulva clean and dry, and avoiding harmful irritations. Women with vulvitis are advised to wash the vulva daily with clean water to ensure cleanliness, wear loose cotton underwear, change and clean them regularly, and use appropriate medication for anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is vulvitis?

Vulvitis is an inflammation of the vulva caused by various bacteria and pathogens, or adverse irritations such as allergies. It can be due to a local skin infection, or it can be a spread of infection from conditions such as vaginitis, urethritis, or perianal diseases, and it can even be a complication of systemic diseases. Symptoms of vulvitis may include swelling, redness, increased skin temperature, ulceration, pain, and itching in the perineal area. If the condition persists, the skin in the affected area may thicken and become rough, resembling lichenification. Severe cases may lead to labial adhesion or labial abscess formation.

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Written by Zhu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat vulvar ulceration caused by fungal vaginitis?

Candidal vulvovaginitis is caused by Candida albicans. When it occurs, it can cause edema of the vulvar and vaginal mucosa. Gynecological examinations can also reveal hyperemia and edema of the vulva. However, the main symptoms of candidal vulvovaginitis are itching and burning pain. When the itching and burning pain are severe, scratching may occur, and in serious cases, you can see cracked skin, forming some acute erosions and superficial ulcers. When encountering vulvar ulcers, do not panic. You can use traditional Chinese medicine washes for external cleansing, which helps in anti-inflammatory and disinfection. At the same time, use antifungal ointment for external application; after a period, the ulcerated area will gradually improve.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does vulvar eczema belong to vulvitis?

Vulvar eczema and vulvitis are not the same disease; they are different from each other. Vulvar eczema is mainly caused by contact with allergens, such as dampness in the genital area, or new underwear and sanitary napkins, leading to itching and rashes on the vulva. It is an allergic reaction, and the treatment is primarily focused on anti-allergy therapy. On the other hand, vulvitis is caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. The local symptoms of vulvitis can be similar to those of vulvar eczema, but the treatment mainly focuses on anti-infection therapy.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can erythromycin be applied to vulvitis?

Only a minority of vulvitis cases are effectively treated with erythromycin ointment. Most cases of vulvitis are not treated with erythromycin ointment. This is because it is essential to first identify which type of infection is causing the vulvitis. Most cases of vulvitis also involve vaginitis and require initial bacteriological examination to classify the inflammation. Treatment should be selected based on this classification and target the specific type of infection. For instance, if the inflammation is due to trichomoniasis, both partners need to take oral metronidazole. If it is a fungal vaginitis, drugs like clotrimazole should be chosen. (Specific drug use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can vaginitis be detected through a vaginal discharge test?

Vulvitis can generally be detected by examining the vaginal discharge. Normally, vaginal discharge is clear, transparent, odorless, and minimal which is considered normal. The majority of cases of vulvitis and vaginitis are due to abnormal secretions. At this time, a definitive diagnosis can be made through the analysis of these secretions. Usually, a routine secretion test at a hospital is sufficient. If the secretion is abnormal, treatment can be based on the type of infection indicated by the routine test results. Thus, most cases of vulvitis can be diagnosed through routine vaginal discharge tests. Patients with vulvitis generally improve after a week of treatment and should pay attention to vulvar hygiene after recovery to prevent infection.