Vulval dermatitis
Vulval dermatitis (vulval eczema) describes vulval skin that is itchy and inflamed. It is a cause of vulval pain, but usually itching is the main symptom. Pain is secondary to skin inflammation, splits in the skin (fissuring) and excoriation (damage to the top skin layer). The diagnosis is usually made based on the history and examination where there are obvious skin changes of redness and swelling. It is is not to be confused with vulvodynia, where the main symptom is pain.
Further information
- For patient information, please see the female genital eczema factsheet on the National Eczema Society’s website.
- For medical guidance, please see the 2014 UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions on the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV’s website.
