An alarming sign in women is redness of the external genital organs. This condition in the intimate area signals about possible infectious diseases, any inflammation, so you can not leave this unattended. Redness of the vagina and labia is often accompanied by irritation, burning, itching. All this brings extreme discomfort. The reasons for this condition can be not only violations of hygiene rules, but also various diseases that require immediate treatment.
Anatomical causes of redness of the vaginal mucosa
Constant itching, redness of the external genitalia do not have clear reasons. This may be an allergic reaction to external stimuli or indicate internal pathologies. Constantly combing the problem area, the itching itself can cause infectious diseases.
In the skin of the genital organs there is a huge number of nerve endings. They are located on the surface itself and instantly react to any mechanical or chemical stimuli both inside and out.
Such a response to irritation is burning and redness in the vagina. Over time, irritation can spread over larger areas. Itching and redness often accompany other symptoms:
- unpleasant putrefactive odor;
- rashes outside, inside the genitals, in the perineum;
- dryness and thinning of the mucosa;
- pain, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen.
Redness of the vagina is accompanied by itching of varying intensity. Unpleasant sensations can range from a barely noticeable itch that bothers periodically, most often before bedtime, to a strong, intolerable, which constantly reminds of itself.
Irritation
Itching and redness of the vaginal lips, which appeared suddenly, can be just an allergic reaction to any irritants. Manifestations will quickly disappear with the elimination of the irritating factor or with minimal drug treatment.
The causes of redness of the vagina can be purely mechanical, and irritants can also be:
- candles, tampons, pads with any aromatic additives;
- various personal and intimate hygiene products;
- nonoxynol supplementation in contraceptives;
- too tight synthetic clothes;
- hair removal in intimate places;
- excessively frequent washing, in which the natural microflora is destroyed;
- on the contrary, rare hygiene procedures;
- excessive consumption of fatty, salty, spicy foods, its presence in the daily diet;
- alcohol abuse.
Elimination of all these causes and sources of irritation will quickly bring the situation back to normal. Do not forget, however, that the constant combing of problem areas can lead to infection and the development of infectious diseases.
Gynecological diseases with itching
Discomfort in the intimate area, itching and redness of the vagina can often be triggered by skin pathologies caused by various types of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The list of these diseases is very extensive and may consist of several dozen items. There are causes of itching that are not related to gynecology. The totality of all pathologies is divided into venereal, gynecological, non-gynecological and age-related.
Gynecological pathologies are diseases that affect the genitourinary system, they are caused by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. The latter, being part of a healthy microflora, become pathogens under certain conditions. The most common infections are: bacterial vaginitis; candidiasis; myco and ureaplasmosis.
Candida fungus . This microorganism is present in small quantities in a healthy microflora, but when favorable conditions occur, it becomes pathogenic and causes thrush. Under what conditions is this happening?
- in case of non-observance of personal hygiene;
- with frequent visits to swimming pools, public baths, saunas;
- with problems with the endocrine system;
- with improper nutrition;
- with a sharp change in the climate zone;
- in stressful situations;
- in cases of malfunctions in the hormonal background, including pregnancy;
- when using hormonal contraceptives;
- due to the use of antibacterial soap;
- when using antibiotics.
Symptoms of thrush are: redness at the entrance to the vagina, swelling , intolerable itching, pain during urination and sexual intercourse. For local treatment, candles, vaginal tablets are used. If the form of the disease becomes chronic, a course of drug therapy is prescribed. The results are checked by analysis.
Bacterial vaginitis . This infection occurs due to a decrease in lactobacilli in the microflora, which suppress pathogenic bacteria. If their number becomes insignificant, they can not cope with their task. The main symptom of the disease is redness of the vagina, an unpleasant smell of rotten fish, most often after sex. Sexual promiscuity leads to a depletion of microflora; frequent use of contraceptives with nonoxynol; douching too often, antibiotics. Also provoking factors are an aborted pregnancy and excessive susceptibility to infections.
Myco and ureoplasmosis . Diseases are similar in sign and origin. Pathogens are certain types of mycoplasmas that, with reduced immunity, have a negative effect on the body. With exacerbation of diseases, inflammation in the urethra is manifested; inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes; redness at the entrance to the vagina, in the inguinal region; frequent urination. To get rid of the disease, long-term treatment of both sexual partners is required.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Venereology identifies the five most common pathogenic microorganisms that are not characteristic of healthy microflora. These include:
- trichomoniasis (vaginal trichomonas);
- gonorrhea (gram-negative diplococcus gonococcus);
- syphilis (pale spirochete);
- chlamydia (chlamydia trachomatis);
- genital herpes (herpes virus).
Vaginal Trichomonas . Infection is characterized by clearly defined signs: acute pain in the lower abdomen during urination, as well as during sexual intercourse. In addition to pain, itching and redness of the vagina, frothy discharge with a green, yellow tint, with an unpleasant odor appear.
Gonococcus is a special form of gram-negative diplococci. The disease refers to an infectious-inflammatory venereal pathology. Symptoms: itching in the groin, severe redness of the vagina, purulent discharge, acute pain during urination, high fever, chills. The treatment lasts two weeks, antibiotics are prescribed and a course of immunotherapy is carried out.
Pale spirochete. The most dangerous sexually transmitted disease called luis or syphilis. You can get infected not only through sexual contact, but also during blood transfusion, with non-sterile instruments during surgery. It manifests itself as a general malaise, fever, headaches, an increase in white blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin. Depending on the stage, the treatment process can take from three to four months to several years.
Chlamydia trachomatis. Penetrates through sexual contact. The causative agent of chlamydia with exacerbation causes fever, purulent discharge, severe redness of the vagina, swelling, painful urination, blood in the urine. After an exacerbation, remission often occurs, and the trip to the doctor should not be postponed. The disease does not go away by itself, in the absence of treatment, serious complications can occur.
Herpes simplex virus. It manifests itself as a rash of painful vesicles in the intimate zone. Buttocks and hips are also affected. Symptoms: purulent discharge, swelling, headache, fever, fatigue, enlarged painful lymph nodes. Therapy lasts several weeks. Recovery occurs with strict observance of all the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor.
Age-related changes
There is a large group of pathologies that is characteristic of women in the menopause. Most often these are women over 45 years old, sometimes at an earlier age. Pathologies include:
- Kraurosis of the vulva. Extensive changes in the genitals, sclerosis of the clitoris and labia, thinning of the skin and mucous membrane, stenosis of the vagina.
- Atrophy of the mucous membranes. It occurs in connection with hormonal changes, a decrease in estrogen secretion.
- Urogenital fistula. Refers to postoperative pathology, inflammatory processes appear under the influence of urine.
- Benign and malignant tumors.
All these cases are often accompanied by itching, redness around the vagina, which complicates the condition, reduces the quality of life.
Discomfort elimination
All the diseases listed above require their own treatment regimen, which will comply with the doctor's prescriptions. Self-medication in this case is excluded due to the delicacy of this area, sensitivity and a high probability of complications. The only thing you can do yourself is to try to reduce itching, to remove redness around the vagina in order to mitigate the desire to constantly itch. To do this, you can use compositions from alternative recipes, medications, as well as hygiene procedures, such as:
- cold bath, shower, lotions;
- douching with soda solutions;
- the use of antihistamines, medicines containing vitamin E;
- washing with a decoction of calendula, chamomile, with furatsilin;
- baths, where the basis will be various decoctions of herbal preparations;
- pharmacy gel ointments with aloe vera.
All of the above funds are harmless, but in order to minimize the risk of complications, it is still better to get a consultation with a doctor. The main thing is to remember that all these remedies will not cure the root of the disease. Even if the itching subsides, the redness near the vagina disappears, know that this is just a temporary attenuation of the symptoms.
Diagnostics
With intensive combing of pathological areas, with the independent use of antiseptics and drugs, you can distort the clinical picture and cause the appearance of a secondary infection. Diagnosis in such cases will be difficult. If you try to diagnose yourself and prescribe treatment, it threatens that the disease can become chronic.
Diagnosis of such diseases includes taking a smear to analyze microflora, bacterial culture of vaginal discharge, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of sexually transmitted infections, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction). In addition, it is recommended to take an analysis to detect intestinal dysbiosis, as well as to determine the sensitivity of microorganisms in the flora to various types of antibiotics.
Treatment
After receiving the results of the tests, the doctor prescribes treatment, most often complex. Additionally, sedatives are prescribed, dieting.
With candidiasis, for example, is prescribed to undergo complex therapy. Locally used antifungal agents (vaginal suppositories "Clotrimazole"), treatment with 3% hydrogen peroxide helps relieve itching and redness of the vagina. To support, maintain the correct microflora, "Acidophilus", "Linex", multivitamins and immunomodulators are prescribed. During treatment, spicy, salty, spicy, fried foods are excluded from the diet.
If such a diagnosis as bacterial vaginitis is made, Trichopolum, Metronidazoleum, Fluconazoleum are appointed. Various healthy sour-milk drinks are recommended for use to enrich the natural microflora.
In the treatment of cervicitis use the group of drugs that is aimed at the destruction of bacterial, viral, fungal infections. These include Doxicillin, Acyclovir, Metronidazole, Diflucan. To restore the mucosa, hormonal creams, gels, for example, Ovestin, are used.
Genital herpes is treated purposefully. Here, drugs that destroy the herpes virus are suitable. In this case, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, conduct a course of maintenance therapy.
Vaginal redness in children
It is sad, but from birth, the girl has been facing female problems. Vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva) in girls is quite common. The most vulnerable category is the age of 1-9 years. With this pathology, you should immediately consult a doctor, since the disease not only causes discomfort, but can affect further sexual life and reproductive function. In rare cases, vulvitis proceeds on its own, more often it is associated with inflammatory processes, and the disease is called vulvovaginitis.
The likelihood of the disease is high due to the structural features of the vulva. After birth, the girl's vagina remains sterile, and only at 5-7 days of life does the population of opportunistic microflora populate . Until puberty is reached, there are no lactobacilli in the vaginal microflora that produce lactic acid. She, in turn, is a protection against various infectious agents.
Specific causative agents of vaginitis - Trichomonas, gonococci, ureaplasma, chlamydia, diphtheria and tuberculosis bacillus, herpes, HPV, fungi and even pathogens of scarlet fever, measles, chickenpox. All these pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate through the delicate skin, unprotected mucous membrane of the vagina.
The main symptoms of the disease are burning, itching, redness of the vagina in the girl, mucopurulent discharge. The condition of the child worsens, the girl becomes irritable, tearful, appetite and sleep are disturbed. In severe cases, the temperature rises, painful palpation of the inguinal lymph nodes, abdominal pain joins.
Treatment of vulvovaginitis
Treatment of vulvovaginitis in girls depends on the etiology of the disease, aimed at eliminating the factor that led to the pathology. A whole range of therapeutic measures is prescribed.
Diet and regimen. With atopic vulvitis, a hypoallergenic diet is indicated. Highly allergenic foods (eggs, seafood, honey, chocolate, citrus fruits, strawberries, walnuts) are completely excluded from the diet.
Local treatment is aimed at eliminating edema, itching, burning, redness of the vagina. A photo of the girls suffering from this ailment confirms their embarrassment, a clamped state. But the doctor must correctly explain that you should not lock yourself in, the situation is fixable and after treatment the world will again appear to the baby joyful and bright.
To alleviate the condition, irrigation, baths, lotions from disinfectants are prescribed.
Etiotropic systemic therapy is prescribed after the identification of the pathogen. The doctor prescribes the necessary antibacterial drugs.
Particular attention should be paid to personal hygiene: the crotch should be washed after each visit to the toilet, underpants are changed twice a day, diapers, diapers in infants - immediately after contamination. Refuse aromatic oils, powders. For older girls, use only a pH-neutral soap for washing. Linen should only be made from natural cotton. It is necessary to wash and wipe exclusively with personal hygiene products.
It is also necessary to normalize the general condition of the body. Prescribing drugs that reduce swelling, relieve irritation, itching.
Subject to all the recommendations of specialists, the disease is completely treatable. The main thing is to contact the doctors on time and prevent the development of complications.