Itching anywhere on the body can cause extreme discomfort. But when itching occurs in an area as sensitive as vagina and vulva, it can be really irritating and uncomfortable. Though occasional vaginal itching is not a cause of concern, persistent itching sometimes can be a sign of something more serious.
Here is a list of seven potential reasons behind vaginal itching.
Irritants
Exposing
the vagina to irritating chemicals can lead to vaginal itching. These
irritants can cause itching anywhere in the body including the vagina
and vulva. Some of the common irritants include soap, bubble bath,
douches, feminine sprays, creams, ointments, detergents, scented toilet
papers and fabric softeners.
Skin problems
Some
common skin problems including eczema and psoriasis can cause redness
and itching in the private parts. Eczema is also called atopic
dermatitis and develops in people who have asthma or are allergic. The
rash caused is reddish and has scaly texture.
Psoriasis is another common skin condition that can cause itchy and red skin on the scalp and joints. The condition can occur in the vagina as well.
Yeast infection
Yeast is a fungus that is naturally present in the vagina. It usually does not lead to any problem, but when its growth increases, it can result in an infection. The infection caused by yeast is called vaginal yeast infection. The condition is so common that it happens to three in every four women, once in their lifetime.
The infection can happen after taking a course of antibiotics. The overgrowth of yeast can result in itching, burning and lumpy discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis
Just
like the vaginal yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis is also caused by
imbalance between the good and bad bacteria. Though the condition
doesn’t always have a symptom. But when symptoms appear, they include
vaginal itching and foul-smelling discharge, which is grey or white.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Unprotected
sex can lead to various STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital
warts, genital herpes and trichomoniasis. All these do not just cause
vaginal itching but many other painful symptoms including abnormal
growth, green or yellow vaginal discharge or pain while peeing.
Pubic lice
Pubic
lice are the tiny, crab like creature that can make you itch like crazy
in the vaginal and pubic area. These are usually attached to the pubic
hair but can also be attached to the other areas of the body that are
densely covered with hair.
These can be treated by OTC lice-killing lotion, but it’s best to consult a doctor and proceed with a prescription.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
UTI is the bacterial infection that can occur anywhere in your urinary tract including kidneys, urethra, ureters and bladder. UTI can cause pelvic pain, an urgency to pee, pain while urinating and cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
If the infection is near your urethra, it can cause severe itching and irritation. Get your appointment with your doctor, if you feel you have the above and do not treat yourself with the OTCs.
