Causes of vaginal itching
The most common causes that are easily corrected are exogenous factors:
- Wearing synthetic underwear. Unnatural fabrics often cause irritation of the delicate intimate area in women, which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the groin area. If you experience itching in the vagina, it is first recommended to pay attention to the quality of your underwear.
- Mechanical damage. Burning, discomfort, pain and itching in the vagina without discharge, especially during sexual intercourse, may indicate increased dryness of the mucous membrane, which leads to friction and irritation. In this case, it is recommended to use intimate lubricant. Damage to the genital area can also occur during shaving and depilation. To avoid unpleasant sensations, you should use moisturizing shaving products and soothing products after hair removal.
- Insufficient hygiene. A feeling of itching in the vagina is a common symptom of irregular hygiene of the intimate area. This applies not only to bathing, but also to the timely replacement of pads or tampons during menstruation.
- Reaction to cosmetics. Severe itching in the vagina, accompanied by dryness and flaking, indicates the body's reaction to products with a high level of acidity. In this case, you should change the intimate hygiene gel.
The best remedies for itching
The inclusion or non-inclusion of individual drugs in the rating, as well as the sequence of presentation of information, is not intended to create advertising or anti-advertising; it is due to current clinical recommendations. The order in which medications are listed on popular pharmaceutical websites is also taken into account.
Antihistamines 2nd generation
The basis for the treatment of severe chronic itching are second-generation antihistamines, which do not have a sedative effect because they do not have the ability to penetrate the structures of the nervous system.
Fenistil
A medicine that is very popular. It can be prescribed in various dosage forms, both for internal use - in the form of tablets and drops, and for external use - in the form of a gel. The use of this drug is allowed even for infants.
It is recommended to use for eczema, itchy dermatoses, urticaria, insect bites, as well as for mild burns. Has antipruritic and antiallergic effects. Since the gel does not contain hormones, its use does not cause any side effects.
The drug is applied to problem areas 2-4 times a day. Its effect is felt within a few minutes, reaching maximum effectiveness after 1-4 hours.
Important! In case of severe itching, the drug is recommended to be used only as prescribed by a doctor.
Fenistil
Advantages:
- adults should use the drug for no longer than 30 days;
- highly effective;
- pleasant neutral smell, without fragrances;
- easy to apply;
- quick relief;
- Administration to infants from the second month of life is allowed.
Flaws:
- causes dry mouth;
- pupils dilate;
- heart rate increases.
- other side effects anticholinergic effects.
Loratadine
A popular antihistamine to combat allergies. It is included in the Russian list of drugs necessary for life, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. Loratadine alleviates seasonal exacerbations and reduces the symptoms of allergic reactions.
The drug is available in two forms - syrup and tablets, the main active ingredient of which is loratadine.
In addition to loratadine, the tablets contain croscarmellose sodium, calcium stearate, lactose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and potato starch. Tablets from different pharmaceutical companies differ in composition, shape and color, as well as in the type of packaging. Both regular tablets and effervescent tablets that dissolve in water are available.
The syrup contains, in addition to loratadine, citric acid, purified water, sorbitol and flavoring additives. Its packaging and composition also vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The drug is produced by several domestic pharmaceutical companies, so the rules for its storage may vary. You can buy it at any pharmacy without a prescription. After purchasing Loratadine, you must carefully read the instructions for use to find out how to properly store the drug.
Loratadine
Advantages:
- low price;
- high European quality, as it is included in the list of vital medicines.
Flaws:
- headache.
Erius
Erius can rightfully be considered a safe modern drug that is approved for use in children from the age of six months. It belongs to the group of drugs that block receptors, so it does not have a hypnotic or sedative effect. Erius significantly alleviates the condition not only with itchy skin, but also with all kinds of allergic edema, and the effect after its use has a long duration. The drug has proven itself in the treatment of classic allergic diseases - Quincke's edema, conjunctivitis, urticaria or allergic rhinitis.
Erius is produced in two forms - syrup and tablets. Taking this drug in strict adherence to the indicated dosage does not affect the decrease in attention while driving a car or working with moving mechanisms. The maximum permissible daily dose is one tablet.
Erius
Advantages:
- good efficiency;
- quality at a high level;
- causes very few side effects.
Flaws:
- if the dosage is exceeded, dry mouth, a feeling of severe fatigue and headaches appear;
- use is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.
Allegra
A French-made medicine from the famous company Sanofi-Aventis. Allegra is a new generation antihistamine with a complete absence of side effects observed during the use of earlier drugs and alpha-blockers. The positive effect is noticeable within an hour, and its duration after a single dose lasts 24 hours. The drug is not addictive and does not require increasing the dosage, no matter how long you have to take it. Allegra is prescribed for chronic itching of various forms, chronic urticaria, and allergic rhinitis.
When prescribing the drug, caution must be exercised for people with liver or kidney failure or pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Allegra is considered an effective drug for the relief of both symptomatic skin itching and in the event of a diagnosis of prurigo.
Allegra
Advantages:
- a small number of contraindications;
- fast action;
- convenient dosage regimen – one tablet per day;
- long lasting effect.
Flaws:
- has side effects: nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle pain, cough;
- Contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and nursing mothers, and people with high sensitivity to the main components.
Zodak-Express
The drug is produced by the Czech company Zentiva, the package contains 7 tablets of 5 mg each. Zodak is used for both acute and chronic forms of skin itching, and can be prescribed for almost any allergic disease - from Quincke's edema to urticaria. Does not cause side effects - dry mouth, drowsiness, changes in pupil size, urinary retention.
The usual dosage regimen is one tablet once a day. For the treatment of a small child, it is possible to prescribe the drug in the form of drops.
Zodak-Express
Advantages:
- the ability to selectively block histamine receptors without causing unwanted side effects;
- convenient dosage regimen – once a day;
- long-term effect of a single dose;
- ideal for compliance.
Flaws:
- slight increase in appetite;
- headache;
- increased fatigue.
Preparations for external therapy
The use of drugs for local action will give a positive effect only in the presence of itchy dermatosis with an altered condition of the skin - the formation of papules or tubercles, blisters, vesicles or bubbles filled with transparent contents that cause severe itching. These elements are considered primary.
Secondary morphological elements, different from the primary ones, are considered to be traces of scratching, crusts, wounds with suppuration, etc. They arise as a result of scratching on the skin, which remains practically unchanged, thus violating the integrity of the skin and threatening the addition of a secondary infection. The main purposes of using external agents for severe chronic itching are to reduce the intensity of itching, have a drying, antibacterial and disinfectant effect. We propose to consider the most well-known drugs.
Losterin, zinc-naphthalan paste
The drug is in the form of a cream that is perfect for daily care of problem skin. It is based on a natural petroleum compound - deresined naphthalan, and its composition includes urea, salicylic acid, zinc oxide and additional components. Thanks to the presence of urea, Losterin is able to penetrate deep into the epidermis and produce a stronger exfoliating effect. The drug also has a long-term analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilator effect.
Salicylic acid does not allow microorganisms to develop, and the panthenol, vitamin E and complex of fatty acids contained in the composition regulate the water and lipid balance, exerting a trophic effect. The drug is approved for long-term use, taken 2-3 times a day.
Losterin, zinc-naphthalan paste
Advantages:
- no toxicity;
- easy to carry;
- sold without a doctor's prescription;
- in complex therapy with antihistamines, it reduces the sensitivity of skin receptors and can increase the reflex threshold of itching;
- prevents secondary infections from occurring, helps get rid of dryness and cracks due to frequent scratching.
Flaws:
- individual reaction to naftalan or fragrance composition. When your skin smells like oil, people around you don't feel very comfortable.
Ichthyol ointment, paste, cream (ichthammol)
In dermatology, ichthyol ointment is very popular. The drug is available in the form of an ointment, paste or cream; the most effective concentration is considered to be 10% or 20%. Provides effective assistance in the fight against itching - reduces skin sensitivity, provides antimicrobial, antistreptococcal and antistaphylococcal effects. The drug has been successfully used to treat neuralgia and various forms of arthritis, in addition to the problem of itchy skin.
The product is applied, without rubbing, to the surface of the skin in a thin layer 2-3 times a day. At night, it is allowed to cover the treated area of skin with a bandage.
Ichthyol ointment, paste, cream (ichthammol)
Advantages:
- allowed for use by pregnant and nursing mothers;
- Ichthyol is usually well tolerated;
- the drug is highly effective;
- cheapness.
Flaws:
- peculiar smell;
- use is contraindicated in case of personal intolerance.
Lorinden-A-Elfa
An ointment successfully used to combat itchy skin. Lorinden is very effective for dandruff, dermatitis and seborrhea. The drug is hormonal, and therefore has a lot of contraindications, and is sold strictly according to a prescription, so consultation with a dermatologist is necessary. The volume of the tube is 15 mg, the ointment is used very sparingly and has virtually no odor.
The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 1-2 times a day. The drug does not affect the condition of the hair. After the itching disappears, it is recommended to continue using the ointment for 3-4 days. The course of treatment should not exceed 21 days.
Lorinden-A-Elfa
Advantages:
- rapid disappearance of itching;
- combined composition;
- the ability to regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Flaws:
- Dry skin and burning may occur.
Possible gynecological causes
- lice pubis;
- candidiasis (thrush);
- vaginal dysbiosis;
- colpitis;
- vulvovaginitis;
- kraurosis of the vulva;
- urethritis;
- genital herpes;
- molluscum contagiosum;
- ureaplasmosis;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmosis;
- gonorrhea;
- genital warts;
- inguinal granuloma;
- trichomoniasis, etc.
Other possible causes: diabetes, allergies (including to partner’s sperm), helminthic infestation, diseases of the digestive or urinary system.
The risk group includes women at menopausal age, since the production of estrogen decreases and the mucous membrane gradually becomes thinner.
Treatment for vaginal itching
How to treat vaginal itching depends on the cause of origin, clinical features and accompanying symptoms. If the problem is non-medical in nature, it is enough to eliminate the negative risk factor - change underwear or care products for the intimate area, take a shower regularly, etc.
What to do with vaginal itching in other cases is decided only by a doctor, since treatment of the underlying disease is required.
Itching of the vaginal mucosa caused by candidiasis is treated with antifungal antibiotics and synthetic antifungal agents: econazole, clotrimazole, levorin, nystatin, ketoconazole, etc.
For inflammatory and infectious gynecological diseases, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents are prescribed.
If the cause is dysbacteriosis, antiseptic drugs for vaginal itching (for example, Hexicon, Vaginorm-S), as well as eubiotics (for example, Lactobacterin, Acylact) are effective.
Treatment of vulvar kraurosis requires an integrated approach. In this case, unpleasant itching in the vagina is helped to eliminate hormonal medications (estrogens, progesterone), glucocorticosteroids (betamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone), antihistamines (clemastine, loratadine).
In each case, the doctor prescribes a remedy for vaginal itching individually as part of complex therapy for the underlying disease. Topical medications (creams, ointments, and vaginal suppositories for vaginal itching) are commonly used, but in certain circumstances, systemic therapy using oral, intramuscular, or intravenous medications is required.
Drug therapy
If you cannot do without medications, antihistamines become the basis of treatment, as the main means of regulating the irritability of nerve endings by reducing the amount of free histamine. Antihistamines are considered type 1 histamine receptor blockers and are divided into several classes.
Everyone knows the first one very well. This class includes drugs such as Tavegil, Diazolin, Suprastin, Diphenhydramine. Their effect in modern conditions is considered harsh, and the drugs themselves are considered outdated, since they have side effects: sedation, drowsiness. But, oddly enough, these side effects for those suffering from chronic skin itching can even be useful, since the drugs affect muscarinic cholinergic receptors.
For patients with pronounced neuroses, insomnia and severe irritability, who are exhausted from itching, such side effects can be a salvation, as they will bring relief by helping to calm down and making it easier to fall asleep.
We would like to remind you that each drug first receives an international nonproprietary name or INN. The following are the most popular commercial names, the first of which is the name of the original drug under which it was launched on the market.
FAQ
What can cause itching?
Itching in the vagina in women can occur for a variety of reasons - from wearing synthetic underwear and untimely replacement of sanitary pads to dysbacteriosis, diabetes and sexually transmitted diseases.
Is itching possible after antibiotics?
It's possible. During antibiotic therapy, dysbacteriosis often occurs, one of the symptoms of which is itching.
What is the most effective treatment?
A doctor will not be able to name the most effective remedy for vaginal itching without knowing its cause. Therefore, correct diagnosis is very important. You should not resort to douching with infusions of medicinal herbs and use antipruritic medications on your own.
