Vulvitis and vulvovaginitis: cutaneous considerations

Abstract

Vulvar dermatoses (previously dystrophies) include psoriasis, allergic or irritant reactions, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen planus, and tinea. Some of these have bullous or erosive forms, but they differ from the immune-mediated vesiculobullous disease group, which includes vulvar pemphigus, benign familial pemphigus, pemphigoid, linear IgA disease, and dermatitis herpetiformis. Vulvar ulcers can occur in dermatoses resulting from systemic disease (Behçet's syndrome, lupus, pellagra, and Reiter's disease) or malignancies resembling dermatoses (extramammary Paget's disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia). Many vulvar dermatoses itch or burn. Vulvodynia occurs with irritant and allergic dermatitis, vulvar dermatoses, complications of steroid use, candidiasis, papillomatosis, vestibulitis, or essential (dysesthetic) vulvodynia. Diagnostic tests (potassium hydroxide, cultures, and biopsy) should establish the diagnosis and therapy should be specific. Few skin diseases are curable but all are treatable; effective management is defined by whether a medication reliably controls outbreaks or symptoms when it is used. Patience is recommended, because treatment may take weeks or months.