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Contact dermatitis of the vulva

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What is contact dermatitis of the vulva?

  • Vulva is another name for your genitals, such as the folds of skin around your vagina.
  • Contact dermatitis is a skin problem that causes vulvar:
    • Burning
    • Itching
    • Irritation
  • It is also called vaginal dermatitis.

What causes contact dermatitis?

  • Itching happens when vulvar skin becomes sensitive to things that touches it. These are called contact irritants. This can be sudden or get worse slowly. Some contact irritants are:
    • Body soaps
    • Clothing or dyes
    • Fabric softeners and dryer sheets
    • Laundry detergents
    • Lotions
    • Feminine products (douches, vaginal deodorants, over-the-counter vaginal creams and ointments, pads, wipes)

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.

What irritants should I stay away from?

  • The skin of the vulva is very sensitive. Try to stay away from any soaps, products, or chemicals on your vulva that are not suggested by your provider, such as:
    • Laundry detergents with enzymes, whiteners, and brighteners
    • Fabric softeners and dryer sheets
    • Perfumed bath soaps, gels, and lotions
    • Adult and baby wipes or towelettes
    • Bubble bath, oils, bath salts, and skin softeners
    • Colored, perfumed (aloe) toilet paper
    • Condoms, prepackaged with lubricant or spermicides
    • Contraceptive creams, jellies, foams, and sponges
    • Deodorant tampons and pads
      • Always® brand may make it worse.
    • Douches
      • Douching is never recommended
    • Feminine hygiene sprays, perfumes, and powders (colored and perfumed)
    • Nylon underwear or panty hose
    • Other irritants talked about at your visit

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.

Call:

  • The Obstetrics Gynecology Clinic at 319-356-2294 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • For urgent questions or concerns
    • Call toll-free at 800-777-8442, 24 hours a day
    • Ask for the gynecology resident on call
    • You may be asked some questions when using the toll-free number

Send a MyChart message for non-urgent questions or concerns