Pruritus vulvae – colloquially called vaginal itch – (synonyms: genital itch; itch of the vulva; pruritus anogenitalis; pruritus vulvae; pruritus vulvae et ani; vulvar itch; vulvar pruritus; vulvar pruritus; ICD-10 L29. 2: Pruritus vulvae) describes itching of the skin in the area of the external genitalia (labia majora, labia minora, clitoris (clit), perineum to perianal, vaginal entrance, occasionally thigh flexures).
A distinction is made between:
- Acute pruritus vulvae
- Chronic pruritus vulvae (duration > 6 weeks)
- Chronic recurrent pruritus vulvae
Further classification of pruritus vulvae can be made according to the skin findings:
- Pruritus cum materia – itching with visible skin lesions; accompanying vulvar diseases (most common case).
- Pruritus sine materia – itching without visible skin changes, which may indicate an endogenous disease.
The causes of pruritus may vary in frequency among age groups:
- Childhood: allergies, diabetes mellitus, fungi, worms, esp. oxyuras (pinworms).
- Sexual maturity: infections, esp. with fungi, contact eczema (eg, intimate spray, detergent).
- Climacteric/Senium: atrophy, diabetes mellitus, carcinomas, precancerous lesions (precancerous lesions).
Course and prognosis: Pruritus is perceived by the affected as extremely unpleasant to agonizing, bes. at night under the warming bedspread. As a rule, however, pruritus vulvae is harmless. By eliminating the cause, it usually disappears.
