Contact dermatitis of the vulva

What are symptoms of contact dermatitis?

• Mild to severe vulvar burning or itching
• Vulvar redness and swelling
• Skin that feels raw from irritation
• Damp or wet feeling from weeping (fluid seeping out) of the irritated skin
  • Some people think this is vaginal discharge.
• Pain when a tampon or speculum is put in
• Pain with sex

How is contact dermatitis diagnosed?

• Your provider will look at your vulva for skin changes.
• A sample of your vaginal discharge may be tested to see if you have an infection.

How is it treated?

Get rid of irritants

• Follow the skin care guidelines.

Steroid ointments 

• Your provider may prescribe or suggest a steroid treatment or cream.
• Put a thin layer on the areas of irritation and discomfort. This will slowly lessen redness, swelling, itching, and burning.
• Use only as prescribed by your provider. Using too much can cause thinning of the skin. This will make it worse.
• Do not use Vagisil^® (5% benzocaine and 2% resorcinol).

Baking soda soaks

• Follow the skin care guidelines..

Gold Bond^® or Zeasorb Powder^®

• Sprinkle these in your underwear if dampness is a problem. Do not use powders with cornstarch.

What else may help?

• Do not wear pads every day unless needed for urine leakage or menstruation (your period).
• Change your underwear when they are damp.
• Do not sleep in underwear at night.
• Use extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil, white petrolatum (Vaseline^®), or zinc oxide ointment. This protects vulvar skin when you are not using a steroid ointment.

It should slowly get better. Call your provider if you still have symptoms.