Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It Feels and LooksPossible Causes Without ItchingPossible Causes With ItchingHome TreatmentsSeeing a ProviderPrescribed MedicationsManaging Chronic Vaginal Rash
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels and Looks
Possible Causes Without Itching
Possible Causes With Itching
Home Treatments
Seeing a Provider
Prescribed Medications
Managing Chronic Vaginal Rash
A vaginal rash typically refers to a rash involving thevulva. It may affect the inside or outside of the labia folds. These rashes can be itchy, bumpy, and red. Causes vary from simple skin irritation and bacterial infections tosexually transmitted infections (STIs).
This article will discuss the different causes of vaginal rashes. It will also cover when to see a healthcare provider and treatment options.
Westend61 / Getty Images.
Female Anatomy DefinitionsHaving a full understanding of medical terms when talking about genital anatomy is important.Here is a description of thefemale anatomythat will be discussed in this article:Vulva:The term used to describe all outer female genitalia.Labia:The skin folds (also called the lips) that surround the vaginal opening.Vagina:The tube, also called the birth canal, that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external vaginal opening.
Female Anatomy Definitions
Having a full understanding of medical terms when talking about genital anatomy is important.Here is a description of thefemale anatomythat will be discussed in this article:Vulva:The term used to describe all outer female genitalia.Labia:The skin folds (also called the lips) that surround the vaginal opening.Vagina:The tube, also called the birth canal, that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external vaginal opening.
Having a full understanding of medical terms when talking about genital anatomy is important.
Here is a description of thefemale anatomythat will be discussed in this article:
How a Vaginal Rash Feels and Looks
A rash in and around the vulva will look and feel different based on its cause.Vaginitisis a common term for the swelling and infection of the vulva and vagina. Vaginitis has several underlying causes.
Some of the symptoms that may be felt or seen in a vaginal rash include:
Often, the rash symptoms are only experienced in the vulva area. However, some rashes can cause symptoms to be felt throughout the body in the form offever and chills. Contact a healthcare provider if you have a rash and these symptoms.
Possible Causes of Vaginal Rash Without Itching
There are several reasons someone could have a vaginal rash without itching. Below is a list of possible causes.
Folliculitis
Folliculitisis a skin rash that develops when hair follicles get blocked or damaged. The hair follicle becomes infected with bacteria, typicallystaph, and forms a small bump on the skin. This resembles a pimple and is red and tender.
Folliculitis can form around the vulva and tends to occur whenpublic hair is shavedor cut closely to the skin.
Genital warts
The warts are typically not painful or itchy. They spread through sex with an infected partner.
Genital Herpes
Herpesis a viral STI that forms a rash around the vulva and anus. It tends to start with flu-like symptoms and then progresses to a tingling sensation around the genitals. The rash develops as a red, swollen area that can also feature small blisters. When the blisters break open, they develop into painful sores.
The sores will scab over and heal within two to six weeks. There is no cure for herpes, butoutbreakstend to lessen over time.
Possible Causes of Vaginal Rash With Itching
One common symptom of vaginal rashes is itching. Below covers which rashes cause itching and other symptoms that are difficult to predict.
Contact Dermatitis
One common vaginal rash iscontact dermatitis. It is caused when the skin comes in contact with something that causes anallergic reactionor irritation. Common irritants include soap, shampoo, lotions, and perfumes. The rash can be very itchy and bothersome but is typically not serious.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planusis a type of rash found on several areas of the body, including the vulva. It typically affects women in their 50s and 60s.Lichen planusis not infectious and causes white streaks on the vulva. Other symptoms include soreness, burning, and itching.
The rash tends to clear up after six to nine months and rarely lasts more than 18 months.
Scabies
Thesymptoms of scabiesinclude:
Pubic Lice
Pubic lice, also called crabs, are tiny bugs that feed on the blood of humans and attach to the coarse hair around the genitals. The lice bite causes intenseitchingand a rash of red spots. The lice spread through close bodily contact.
Yeast Infection
Psoriasis
Psoriasiscan occur on and around the vulva. Generally, someone who has genital psoriasis also has psoriasis on other areas of the body. It is rare to only have genital psoriasis.
Two types of psoriasis can occur on the genitals. Inverse psoriasis causes red, tight, and smooth skin. It can feel painful and itchy, and the skin may split.
Plaque psoriasis is another type that can be found around the vulva. This type causes white, scaly skin patches.
Home Treatment for Minor Vaginal Rash Symptoms
Avaginal rashcan be irritating and itchy, making it difficult to focus on work or other activities. Home treatment for a minor vaginal rash can help alleviate the symptoms but may not cure the cause. Home treatments can include:
Each type of rash will have a different treatment, therefore, seeing a healthcare provider for proper treatment is important.
Douching? Don’t! The Vagina Does a Good Job of Cleaning Itself
Vaginal Rash vs. Sore
Seeing a Provider to Learn Vaginal Rash Cause
Several different causes can cause vaginal rashes. Ahealthcare providerwill evaluate the rash and determine if testing is necessary. When the diagnosis has been determined, the treatment plan will be provided.
Some rashes can get better on their own, while others need treatment. Seek treatment if you have avaginal rash. A provider can guide you to the correct treatment and get you better faster.
Vaginal Rash During PregnancyTwo types of rashes that can affect a pregnant person are bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Bacterial vaginosis causes redness, pain, itching, a fishy odor, and white or gray discharge. Yeast infections cause redness, itching, and a thick white discharge.It’s important to contact a healthcare provider when a vaginal rash develops during pregnancy. Treatment may be different during pregnancy than it would be for those who are not pregnant.
Vaginal Rash During Pregnancy
Two types of rashes that can affect a pregnant person are bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Bacterial vaginosis causes redness, pain, itching, a fishy odor, and white or gray discharge. Yeast infections cause redness, itching, and a thick white discharge.It’s important to contact a healthcare provider when a vaginal rash develops during pregnancy. Treatment may be different during pregnancy than it would be for those who are not pregnant.
Two types of rashes that can affect a pregnant person are bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Bacterial vaginosis causes redness, pain, itching, a fishy odor, and white or gray discharge. Yeast infections cause redness, itching, and a thick white discharge.
It’s important to contact a healthcare provider when a vaginal rash develops during pregnancy. Treatment may be different during pregnancy than it would be for those who are not pregnant.
Prescribed Medications for Vaginal Rash
Some may include:
Certain types of rashes, like herpes, have an underlying cause that cannot be cured. In these cases, the person may have to manage a chronic vaginal rash.
To help manage these symptoms, a person should take anyprescribed medicationsfor the rash. They can also take over-the-counter pain relievers likeibuprofen. Other tactics to relieve rash symptoms include:
Summary
A vaginal rash can be painful, itchy, and red. There are several possible underlying causes, such as contact dermatitis, yeast infection, or an STI. Though home treatment may be possible for some rashes, other types need treatment with prescription medications. Therefore, reaching out to a healthcare provider for an evaluation and determination of proper treatment is best.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaiser Permanente.Vaginal rashes and sores.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy of female pelvic area.MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.Edward-Elmhurst Health.Do you need to see a doctor for that rash?Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital warts: signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Genital warts.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital herpes: signs and symptoms.Khurana A, Tandon S, Marfatia Y, Madnani N.Genital lichen planus: an underrecognized entity.Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2019;40(2):105. doi:10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_45_19National Health Service.Lichen planus.National Health Service.Scabies.National Health Service.Pubic lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A diagnostic test to detect different vaginal yeast infection types.John Hopkins Medicine.Yeast infection.National Psoriasis Foundation.Genital psoriasis.Penn Medicine.Rash.March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Genital herpes—self-care.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaiser Permanente.Vaginal rashes and sores.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy of female pelvic area.MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.Edward-Elmhurst Health.Do you need to see a doctor for that rash?Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital warts: signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Genital warts.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Genital herpes: signs and symptoms.Khurana A, Tandon S, Marfatia Y, Madnani N.Genital lichen planus: an underrecognized entity.Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2019;40(2):105. doi:10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_45_19National Health Service.Lichen planus.National Health Service.Scabies.National Health Service.Pubic lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A diagnostic test to detect different vaginal yeast infection types.John Hopkins Medicine.Yeast infection.National Psoriasis Foundation.Genital psoriasis.Penn Medicine.Rash.March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Genital herpes—self-care.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Penn Medicine.Rash.
March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.
MedlinePlus.Genital herpes—self-care.
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