Associated symptoms
Inflammation is usually characterized by redness, swelling, pain, overheating and limited function. These typical signs of infection also appear on the vagina and vulva. The pain can be permanent or triggered by urination, sexual intercourse or other touching.
In many cases, pain and burning sensation is accompanied by itching. Depending on the type of inflammation, damp, milky or purulent discharge from the vagina may also be present. Often not visible externally are mucous membrane changes with cracked skin, rashes, blistering and crumbly secretions.
Depending on the type of pathogen, an unpleasant odour can also occur. This is particularly common with vaginal mycosis or certain sexual diseases. Diseases that affect the entire body can be accompanied by other symptoms.
Neurodermatitis, for example, typically manifests itself not only in the vulva but also in many other areas of the skin and body. Bacteria-induced gonorrhoea can be accompanied by conjunctivitis in the eye, among other things. Itching is a very unpleasant symptom that can occur in the genital area.
It is caused by certain messenger substances such as histamine, which are released in the skin. In addition to certain inflammations, toxins such as insect venoms or toxins produced by pathogens can also cause itching. In most cases, itching in the genital area is harmless, but sometimes a disease such as neurodermatitis or infections such as genital herpes or vaginal mycosis can be behind it.
Even if it becomes very unpleasant, it is important not to scratch despite the itching. Otherwise, small skin defects can aggravate the itching and damage the mucous membrane, which can lead to further infections. Seemingly harmless infections in the genital area can pose a high risk during pregnancy with danger for the child.
However, as a result of prenatal care and high hygiene awareness, life-threatening diseases have become very rare. However, bacterial and viral infections in the mother’s intimate area are particularly dangerous for the child. Besides the venereal diseases syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, viral diseases such as rubella, chickenpox, herpes, HPV, mumps and measles are particularly dangerous.
The pathogens can reach the child via the bloodstream or vagina and disturb the child’s development or endanger pregnancy. Each pathogen poses different risks at the time of pregnancy. While some pathogens lead to developmental disorders of the child, especially in the first months, some acute bacterial pathogens can cause premature birth and other complications in the late months. If there is a burning sensation in the genital area during pregnancy, a clarification by the gynaecologist must therefore be carried out urgently in any case.
Therapy
The means used must be adapted to the underlying cause of burning in the genital area. In order to prevent future complaints, proper intimate hygiene must be learned. Under no circumstances should this be carried out permanently with non-acidic soaps, as otherwise pathogens can settle.
Furthermore, targeted medication must be taken to combat the pathogens. Typical antibiotics that help against the most common responsible bacteria are so-called “cephalosporins”. So-called antivirals are used to combat genital herpes and other viral diseases.
If the cause is an oestrogen deficiency, this can also be treated with replacement hormones. Chronic, autoimmunological skin diseases of the vulva must be controlled symptomatically with immunosuppressive drugs, depending on their severity. Antibiotics are drugs that are specifically directed against bacteria and destroy them or stop their growth.
Accordingly, antibiotic therapy may only be used in the case of bacterial inflammation, but not against viruses, fungi, parasites and other causes of disease. In the intimate area of a woman, there is an increase in intestinal bacteria due to the proximity of the anus. Due to a lack of or incorrect intimate hygiene, the bacteria normally found in the intestines can cause inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.
Apart from the typical intestinal bacteria, streptococci and staphylococci are the most common causes. Bacterial inflammation is also found among the typical venereal diseases. Gonorrhoea and syphilis are diseases caused by bacteria that are transmitted during sexual intercourse.
For the exact identification of the germ, a smear of the inflammation can be used to produce a so-called “antibiogram”, which determines the resistance and effectiveness of individual antibiotics. Subsequently, a targeted therapy can be started with a specific antibiotic. In the case of unclear infections, antibiotic doses should be used with caution, as the use of unnecessary and incorrect antibiotics in recent years has led to an increase in resistant bacteria.
For locally limited inflammations, irritations and complaints, ointments can also be used in addition to medication in tablet form. They have the advantage that they do not act in the entire body and the active ingredients can therefore be dosed more specifically in the genital area. In the case of an infection with vaginal mycosis, an ointment can typically be used for treatment.
So-called “antimycotic” ointments are used for this. Viral diseases such as herpes are also increasingly being treated with ointments. In the case of local rashes and chronic skin diseases, the immunosuppressive agents in the form of the ointment can act in high local doses.
This has the great advantage that the sometimes severe side effects of a therapy of the entire body do not occur. This topic might also be of interest to you: Vaginal mycosisTo combat the complaints in the intimate area, valuable household remedies can be used to reduce symptoms or prevent infections and other diseases. However, self-treatment with household remedies should not be used in the case of highly acute inflammation.
Bacterial infections can often not be treated adequately with household remedies. Yoghurt, coconut oil, olive oil, sage and chamomile can be used to reduce symptoms of burning and itching in the genital area. These are either applied directly to the genital area or dissolved in a bath.
Diluted sodium hydroxide baths and vinegar rinses can be used to support the vaginal flora in combating germs. They lower the pH value of the vaginal mucosa and thus support the body in its natural fight against germs. However, the most important measures must be applied in the long term to avoid any inflammation in the intimate area.
For this purpose, regular but not daily cleaning without alkaline soaps should be carried out. Furthermore, hygiene should also be a priority when changing underwear and going to the toilet. Scratches and other causes of damage to the mucous membrane of the vagina should be avoided if possible. If these measures are followed, the body’s own defence system is usually strong enough to fend off pathogens itself.
