We might assume that a yeast infection is causing the itch down there and opt for over-the-counter medicines, but it could be due to something more serious.
If and when you have ever experienced this uncomfortable condition, you may have assumed that it was a yeast infection and opted for over-the-counter medicine. However, there may be many reasons for this condition. When we treat it incorrectly, we might even cause more harm than good for ourselves. Vaginal itching can become painful as well and can be caused by irritants like fabric softeners, detergents, soap or more serious conditions like skin diseases like eczema.
A doctor will be able to diagnose the underlying cause better and can treat it with the right medication. Here are six conditions that can cause vaginal itching apart from yeast infection:
Pubic lice aka crabs can lead to vaginal itching and itching in the pubic area. These crab-like creatures attach themselves to the pubic hair and other parts of the body that are covered in coarse hair. It can be treated with over-the-counter lice-killing lotion while severe cases might require topical prescription medication, according to Healthline.
With menopause comes a decrease in the level of estrogen in the body and decreased estrogen leads to thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls. These conditions can lead to itching and irritation in the vagina. However, thinning of vaginal walls is not limited to menopausal women. Even those who are in the prime of their reproductive years and breastfeeding could experience this condition, according to WebMD.
This is a common condition affecting women of childbearing age and occurs when the normal bacteria become imbalanced. This mostly happens to those who douche, bathe with antiseptic or antibacterial products or have a new/multiple sexual partners. If you are using products with a strong fragrance in the vaginal area or use harsh detergents, you could be at risk as well.
For many women, BV has no symptoms but one of the symptoms include watery vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. You could also be experiencing a burning and itching sensation, says MedicalNewsToday.
Many chemicals in the products we use in our daily lives can cause irritation and itching in the vagina. The chemicals could be in creams, douches, condoms, contraceptive foams, laundry detergents, soaps, scented toilet paper, and fabric softeners. They can irritate the vagina and vulva or even cause an allergic reaction leading to a rash in different parts of the body, reports Healthline.
There are some skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis which show up in various parts of the body, including the genital area. They may cause redness, rashes, and itching. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, looks like a rash and shows up in people with asthma or allergies. It looks red and scaly and is very itchy. Women who have eczema in other parts of the body can experience it in the vagina too. Psoriasis is another common skin condition that also leads to scaly, itchy, red patches. These patches show up along the scalp and joints. For some women, it could be around and on the vagina too.
This is not a common skin condition and can show up in postmenopausal women more often than others. It looks like thin white patches on the skin, especially around the vulva. They have the potential to permanently scare the vaginal region.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-itching#causes
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316595.php#irritation-or-allergy
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-itching-burning-irritation#1
