Find clinic locations for Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics and services in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Find services offered by Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
We encourage you, our patient, concerned family member, or area employer to review Fort HealthCare’s information
We coordinate community education and health-related events and screenings for the Fort HealthCare service area.
Vulvitis is simply an inflammation of the vulva, the soft folds of skin outside the vagina. This is not a condition but rather a symptom that results from a host of diseases, infections, injuries, allergies, and other irritants. Diagnosing and treating this condition can be frustrating because it is often difficult to determine the specific cause of the irritation.
Vulvitis may be caused by one, or more, of the following:
Scented or colored toilet paper
Perfumed soaps or bubble baths
Shampoos and hair conditioners
Laundry detergents (especially enzyme-activated "cold water" formulas)
Vaginal sprays, deodorants, douches, and powders
Spermicides
Douches that are too strong or used too frequently
Hot tub and swimming pool water
Synthetic undergarments without a cotton crotch
Rubbing against a bicycle seat
Wearing a wet bathing suit for a long period of time
Horseback riding
Any female with certain allergies, sensitivities, infections, or diseases can develop vulvitis. Girls who have not yet reached puberty and postmenopausal women sometimes develop vulvitis, possibly because of inadequate levels of estrogen.
The following are the most common symptoms for vulvitis. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of vulvitis may include:
Redness and swelling on the labia and other parts of the vulva
Excruciating itching
Clear, fluid-filled blisters (present when the vulva is particularly irritated)
Sore, scaly, thickened, or whitish patches (more prevalent in chronic vulvitis) on the vulva
The symptoms of vulvitis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your teen's physician for a diagnosis.
In addition to a complete medical history and physical and pelvic examination, diagnostic procedures for vulvitis may include the following:
Blood tests
Urinalysis
Specific treatment for vulvitis will be determined by your teen's physician based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Severity of the symptoms
Cause of the condition
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the condition
Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
Self-help measures (i.e., avoiding external irritants known to provoke vulvitis)
Sitz baths with soothing compounds (to help control the itching)
Hydrocortisone creams