Vulval pruritus

Abstract

Pruritus or itch can be a symptom of many dermatological conditions of the vulva and can range from mildly annoying to severely impacting a patient’s quality of life. The dermatological causes of vulval pruritus are many; those that will be discussed in this article are inflammatory dermatoses, infection, neoplasia and atrophy. It is important to identify and manage vulval conditions, because of the impact on patients’ quality of life and because they may represent a malignancy or a precursor to one. A tailored history and examination will help direct clinicians to the appropriate management and referral pathway. Alongside the correct medical treatment, patients should be provided with information on the principles of vulval care and where to access further information on their condition.

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