Vulvar pruritus-Causes, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach
Standard
Vulvar pruritus-Causes, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach. / Woelber, Linn; Prieske, Katharina; Mendling, Werner; Schmalfeldt, Barbara; Tietz, Hans-Jürgen; Jaeger, Anna.
In: DTSCH ARZTEBL INT, Vol. 116, No. 8, 21.02.2020, p. 126-133.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Review article › Research
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Vulvar pruritus-Causes, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach
AU - Woelber, Linn
AU - Prieske, Katharina
AU - Mendling, Werner
AU - Schmalfeldt, Barbara
AU - Tietz, Hans-Jürgen
AU - Jaeger, Anna
PY - 2020/2/21
Y1 - 2020/2/21
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Female
KW - Germany
KW - Humans
KW - Pruritus Vulvae/diagnosis
U2 - 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126
DO - 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126
M3 - SCORING: Review article
C2 - 32181734
VL - 116
SP - 126
EP - 133
JO - DTSCH ARZTEBL INT
JF - DTSCH ARZTEBL INT
SN - 1866-0452
IS - 8
ER -