The genital skin absorbs topical steroids more readily than other parts of the body, and topical steroids should therefore be used carefully in this area. Topical steroids are safe to use in the genital area as long as they are of the correct strength and are used appropriately. Emollients can also alleviate vulval dryness, caused by the menopause. It is also a good idea to wash with emollients after opening your bowels to prevent infection when the skin is inflamed (is red or darker than your usual skin tone, depending on skin colour) and sore. Use emollients as soap substitutes and avoid all soap and cosmetic washes. They should be reapplied after bathing and showering. Your doctor will usually prescribe emollients and topical steroids (steroid creams and ointments) to treat genital and perianal eczema.Įmollients can be applied to the genital area as often as required. If you experience genital irritation, it is better to seek medical help than to self-medicate, since some over-the-counter treatments contain potentially allergenic and irritant ingredients.
Trying to manage the problem with wipes, sanitary protection or pads may make the eczema worse. If you are incontinent of urine, faeces, or both, discuss this with your doctor or nurse, who can refer you to specialist teams. Urine and faeces are especially irritating to the skin, and incontinence always makes any genital condition worse and harder to treat. Soaps, bubble baths, shower gels, talcum powder, baby/hygiene/feminine wipes, perfumes, personal deodorants, haemorrhoid preparations, antiseptics such as Dettol, Savlon and TCP, and similar products can also trigger eczema. Irritation can be caused by sweating, tight clothing, and friction between skin surfaces. However, genital skin can be particularly prone to irritation. It is not always possible to discover the cause of genital eczema, although it can sometimes be due to a contact allergy. Some dermatology departments have dedicated vulval clinics with female dermatologists, who will examine you and may take a biopsy (a small sample of skin from your vulva to confirm diagnosis). Your GP might refer you to dermatology, particularly if allergic contact dermatitis is suspected or diagnosis is uncertain. The menopause can cause vaginal dryness, and may cause additional vulval dryness, which can be another source of irritation and itching, and may make genital eczema worse. Do bear in mind that there are other causes of inflamed, sore skin, such as fungal and yeast infections (thrush), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can affect people with eczema and might need to be ruled out by your doctor. If you think you have eczema in the genital area, please see your doctor for an examination, so you can be correctly diagnosed and treated. In addition to the vulva, genital eczema frequently affects the skin around the opening of the anus and the skin between the cheeks of the buttocks (perianal eczema). There are different types of eczema that can affect the genital area, including atopic eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.įemale genital eczema can be very uncomfortable. Please do not feel embarrassed about asking for a proper examination to be carried out.
With any genital condition it is important that you have the correct diagnosis made by your doctor so that any possible underlying conditions can be identified and treated.
Global Patient Initiative to Improve Care (GPIIEC).Eczema ‘Mindlines’ – helping parents and children manage eczema better.Atopic eczema Systemic Therapy Register (A-STAR).Information for healthcare professionals.Habit reversal and the combined approach.Seborrhoeic dermatitis & cradle cap in infants.
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