Vulvitis - Vulvitis

Japanese: 外陰炎 - がいいんえん（英語表記）Vulvitis

What kind of infection is it?

The vulva is the outer part of the genitals ( Mons pubis ( Earth ) , labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, external urethral meatus, Vaginal vestibule ( All ) , perineum ( Ein ) This is a general term for

This vulva can become infected by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mold, or be contaminated by chemicals such as drugs or vaginal infections. Leucorrhea ( Taige ) This is a condition in which acute or chronic inflammation is caused by vaginal discharge, etc.

Inflammation develops when the body's resistance is weakened in addition to the external factors mentioned above. People with diabetes or allergies are particularly susceptible. People with weak skin and mucous membranes in the vulva, such as the elderly and children, are also prone to developing the condition.

How symptoms manifest

The main symptoms are pain, itching, and sometimes discomfort in the vulva. The vulva may also become red and swollen. If the inflammation becomes chronic, the skin and mucous membranes may turn whitish, and persistent itching may continue.

Often, the vaginal discharge caused by vaginitis, as explained earlier, can irritate the vagina and lead to vulvitis.

Testing and diagnosis

The cause is determined by examining the vulva and detecting pathogens in vulvar and vaginal secretions.

Treatment methods

We find the cause and treat it, and apply ointments or creams containing antihistamines or steroid hormones to relieve itching. Also, in elderly patients with weak vulva or vaginal mucosa, we administer hormones to strengthen them.

What to do if you notice an illness

Vulvar itching can occur for a variety of reasons. If it does not improve after 2-3 days, you should see an obstetrician-gynecologist. If the itching is particularly persistent and continues for more than 3 months, Lichen sclerosus ( Contact us ) (The mucous membrane of the vulva becomes white and hard) or it could be a malignant lesion, so be sure to see a doctor.

Takashi Kawana

Vulvitis is good
Vulvitis
(Women's diseases, pregnancy and childbirth)

What is the disease?

The skin of the vulva is weakly resistant and is easily damaged by urine, feces, Leucorrhea ( Taige ) Because it is easily contaminated by vaginal discharge and menstrual bleeding, it is in a state where inflammation is likely to occur. When inflammation is already occurring in the vagina, the causative bacteria adhere to the vulva through vaginal discharge, Vaginitis ( Chambers ) It is not uncommon for vulvitis to develop after this condition. In this case, treating only the vulvitis will not provide a fundamental solution, so it is important to pay attention to whether or not there is inflammation in the vagina.

Vulvitis can be non-infectious, caused by chemical stimuli (such as soap or medicine) or physical stimuli (such as underwear or sanitary napkins), or it can be caused by bacteria or fungi ( fungi ( Shinkin ) ) and infectious diseases caused by viruses, etc. (Table 5).

How symptoms manifest

In many cases, symptoms include itching, pain, and a feeling of heat, as well as abnormal vaginal discharge (heavy volume, unpleasant odor, or color) when accompanied by vaginitis. Other symptoms include a foreign body sensation, lumps, bleeding, and ulcers.

Below, we will discuss the individual types of vulvitis.

Katsutoshi Oda

Table 5. Classification of vulvitis
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Table 5. Classification of vulvitis

Source: Houken “Sixth Edition Family Medicine Encyclopedia” Information about the Sixth Edition Family Medicine Encyclopedia

Japanese:

どんな感染症か

　外陰とは、性器の外側の部分（恥丘(ちきゅう)、大陰唇、小陰唇、陰核、外尿道口、腟前庭(ちつぜんてい)、会陰(えいん)など）の総称です。

　この外陰部に、細菌やウイルス、カビなどの病原体が感染したり、薬物などの化学物質、腟からの帯下(たいげ)（おりもの）などにより急性・慢性の炎症を引き起こした状態です。

　炎症は、前述のような外的な原因に体の抵抗力の低下が加わって発症します。糖尿病やアレルギーのある人は、とくになりやすい傾向があります。また、老人や子どものように外陰部の皮膚や粘膜が弱い人でも発症しやすくなります。

症状の現れ方

　外陰部の痛みやかゆみ、時には違和感が主体です。外陰部が発赤したり、はれたりもします。炎症が慢性化すると、皮膚や粘膜が白っぽくなり、がんこなかゆみが続きます。

　しばしば、前に解説した腟炎による帯下が刺激となって外陰炎を発症します。

検査と診断

　外陰部の所見に加え、外陰や腟分泌物中の病原体を検出するなどして原因をつきとめます。

治療の方法

　原因を探し、これを治すとともに、かゆみに対しては抗ヒスタミン薬やステロイドホルモン含有の軟膏やクリームを塗ります。また、高齢者のように外陰や腟粘膜の弱い場合は、ホルモン剤を投与して強化を図ります。

病気に気づいたらどうする

　外陰部のかゆみは、いろいろな原因で起こります。2～3日しても治らない時は産婦人科を受診しましょう。とくにがんこなかゆみが3カ月以上続く時は、外陰の硬化性苔癬(こうかせいたいせん)（外陰部の粘膜が白く硬くなる）や悪性病変も考えられるので、必ず医師に診てもらってください。

川名　尚

外陰炎
がいいんえん
Vulvitis
(女性の病気と妊娠・出産)

どんな病気か

　外陰部の皮膚は抵抗性が弱く、しかも尿・便・帯下(たいげ)（おりもの）・生理による出血などによって汚染されやすいため、炎症が起こりやすい状態になっています。もともと腟内に炎症が起こっている時には、帯下により原因菌が外陰部に付着するため、腟炎(ちつえん)に続いて外陰炎を合併することも少なくありません。この場合、外陰炎だけを治療しても根本的な解決にはならないため、腟内の炎症の有無についても注意が必要です。

　外陰炎は、化学的刺激（石鹸や薬剤など）・物理的刺激（下着や生理用ナプキンなど）などによって起こる非感染性のものと、細菌・カビ（真菌(しんきん)）・ウイルスなどによる感染性のものとに大きく分けられます（表5）。