Vaginal itching is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful symptom that often occurs due to irritating substances, infections, or menopause.
A rash in your vaginal area can have many different causes, including contact dermatitis, an infection or autoimmune condition, and parasites. If you’ve never had a rash or itch there before, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor.
Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the rash. Home remedies may also relieve the symptoms.
Symptoms
Usually, a vaginal rash will feel uncomfortable and itchy. Your symptoms may get worse if you scratch the area.
Symptoms of a vaginal rash can include:
- pain during urination or sex
- discharge
- odor
- fever
- pain in your pelvic area
- enlarged lymph nodes
- itching, burning, or irritation
- bumps, blisters, lesions, or sores
- skin that’s discolored (red, purple, or yellow)
- patches of thickened skin
- inflammation
Skin diseases
Some skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, can cause redness and itching in the genital region.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, itchy, red patches to form along the scalp and joints. At times, outbreaks of these symptoms can occur on the vagina as well.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a rash that primarily occurs in people with asthma or allergies. The rash is reddish and itchy with a scaly texture. It may spread to the vagina in some women with eczema.
Bacterial vaginosis
The condition doesn’t always cause symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they typically include vaginal itching and an abnormal, foul-smelling discharge. The discharge may be thin and dull gray or white. In some cases, it might also be foamy.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is another common reason for vaginal itching.
Like a vaginal yeast infection, BV is triggered by an imbalance between naturally occurring good and bad bacteria in the vagina.
Yeast infection
Yeast is a naturally occurring fungus that’s normally present in the vagina. It usually doesn’t cause problems, but when its growth goes unchecked, an uncomfortable infection can result.
This infection is known as a vaginal yeast infection. It’s a very common condition, affecting 3 out of 4 women at some point in their lives, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The infection often occurs after taking a course of antibiotics, as these types of medications can destroy good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. The good bacteria are needed to keep yeast growth in check.
The overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can result in uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, burning, and lumpy discharge.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Numerous STDs can be transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse and cause itching in the vagina. These include:
- chlamydia
- genital warts
- gonorrhea
- genital herpes
- trichomoniasis
These conditions can also cause additional symptoms, including abnormal growths, green or yellow vaginal discharge, and pain while urinating.
Stress
Physical and emotional stress can cause vaginal itching and irritation, though this isn’t very common. It might occur when stress weakens your immune system, leaving you more prone to the infections that cause itching.
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Menopause
Women who are going through menopause or who have already done so are more at risk for vaginal itching.
This is due to the reduction of estrogen levels that occur during menopause, which leads to vaginal atrophy. This is a thinning of the mucosa that can lead to excessive dryness. The dryness can cause itching and irritation if you don’t get treatment for it.
Home remedies for vaginal itching
You can prevent most causes of vaginal itching through good hygiene and lifestyle habits. There are several steps you can take at home to prevent vaginal irritation and infection:- Eat yogurt with live cultures to reduce the chance of getting yeast infections.
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Always wipe from front to back after having a bowel movement.
- Use warm water and a gentle cleanser to wash your genital area.
- Avoid scented soaps, lotions, and bubble baths.
- Avoid using such products as vaginal sprays and douches.
- Wear cotton underwear and change your underwear every day.
- Change out of wet or damp clothing right after swimming or exercising.
