What to do if vulva is itchy, red and swollen

Itching, redness, and swelling of the vulva can be treated by keeping the area clean, avoiding irritants, using topical drugs, oral drugs, and seeking medical examination. Itching, redness, and swelling of the vulva are usually caused by infection, allergies, skin diseases, hormonal changes, poor hygiene habits, etc.

1. Keep the area clean

Wash your vulva daily with warm water and avoid using alkaline cleaning products such as soap or body wash. Pat dry after cleaning and avoid scrubbing too hard. Choose pure cotton underwear and change it daily, avoid wearing tight pants or clothing made of synthetic materials. When cleaning the vulva, the water temperature should not be too high to avoid aggravating redness and swelling. During menstruation, you need to increase the frequency of cleaning and replace sanitary napkins in time.

2. Avoid irritants

Suspend the use of sanitary napkins, panty liners, lotions and other products that may cause allergies. Avoid using fragrance-based hygiene products and laundry detergents. If you have recently used a new brand of sanitary products, you must stop using them immediately. Do not perform vulvar hair removal or use harsh skin care products. After swimming, you need to wash and change clean clothes in time to avoid irritation from swimming pool disinfectant residue.

3. Use topical drugs

Clotrimazole cream can be used under the guidance of a doctor to treat fungal infections, or hydrocortisone ointment can be used to relieve allergic itching. Mupirocin ointment can be used for bacterial infections. Before using the medicine, clean and dry the affected area, take an appropriate amount of ointment and apply it evenly. Avoid long-term use of hormone-containing ointments on your own, and continuous use should not exceed 1 week. If burning sensation occurs or symptoms worsen during medication, discontinue use immediately.

4. Oral medications

For severe itching, oral antihistamines such as loratadine tablets can be taken as directed by your doctor. Fungal infections require taking fluconazole capsules. For bacterial infections, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets can be used. Pay attention to whether any adverse reactions occur while taking the drug. Pregnant women, lactating women and children must strictly follow the doctor's instructions when taking medication, and do not adjust the dosage on their own.

5. Medical examination

If symptoms persist for 3 days without relief or are accompanied by abnormal secretions, ulcers, fever, etc., you need to see a gynecologist or dermatologist in time. The doctor may conduct routine leucorrhea tests, bacterial culture and other tests to determine the cause. Patients with diabetes or low immunity should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop vulvar symptoms. Postmenopausal women with recurrent attacks need to rule out vulvar malnutrition and other diseases.

Daily care should be taken to keep the vulva dry and breathable, and avoid sitting still for long periods of time. The diet should be light and eat less spicy food. Do not scratch the affected area at will to avoid skin damage and infection. If symptoms occur repeatedly, blood sugar levels need to be checked to rule out the possibility of diabetes. Pay attention to cleanliness before and after sex, and use condoms if necessary to reduce stimulation. Choose loose and comfortable clothing to avoid local friction. After symptoms are relieved, observation is still required for 1-2 weeks to prevent recurrence.