Introduction
Eczema is a mostly acute or chronic inflammatory reaction of the upper layers of the skin. Eczema can occur anywhere where there is skin. As a rule, parts of the skin that come into contact with chemical or plant exogenous substances are particularly affected.
Eczema in the genital area is divided into an acute and a chronic form. Eczema in the genital area is characterized by a sudden onset of redness, followed by scaling and then blistering. The vesicles can then open up and empty the liquid contents.
In addition to the redness, scaling and blistering, itching, often described as agonizing, is one of the main symptoms of eczema in the genital area. It occurs shortly after the redness. The entire course of an acute eczema can last several hours or even days.
The mechanism of the disease works in such a way that the immune system forms so-called memory cells as soon as it comes into contact with a foreign substance. These cells remain inactive around the skin until the body comes into contact with the same foreign substance again. An immune reaction is triggered, in some people also an exuberant immune reaction, which is then called an allergic reaction.
Why some people have this kind of exuberant reaction and some do not is largely unknown. However, it is clear that there is a genetic component. Itching in the genital area often occurs as a concomitant symptom of an intimate eczema.
This is triggered by the skin changes in the affected regions and the resulting dehydration. It is important not to counteract the itching with scratching, as this only makes the situation worse. The skin becomes additionally irritated and open spots in the intimate area may occur. A doctor should be consulted in good time to initiate a suitable therapy so that the eczema can be treated at the earliest possible stage and the damage to the skin can be kept to a minimum.
