What should I do if my genital itching persists?

Persistent vulvar itching can be treated by keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding irritating factors, using topical drugs, oral drugs, and seeking medical examination. Vulvar itching is usually caused by vaginitis, vulvar skin diseases, allergic reactions, changes in hormone levels, diabetes and other reasons.

1. Keep the area clean and dry

Wash your vulva daily with warm water and avoid over-cleaning with soap or lotion. After washing, pat dry to keep the vulva dry. Choose cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight pants or synthetic clothing. Change underwear frequently and separate them from other clothing when washing to avoid cross-infection. Change sanitary napkins or tampons promptly during menstruation to reduce local moisture irritation.

2. Avoid irritating factors

Avoid using sanitary products containing fragrances and dyes, including sanitary napkins, panty liners, lotions, etc. Stop using vaginal douches to reduce mechanical stimulation to the vagina. Avoid scratching the itchy area to prevent skin damage and secondary infection. Reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, alcohol, coffee, etc. These foods may aggravate local congestion and itching.

3. Use topical drugs

For vulvar itching caused by fungal infection, antifungal drugs such as clotrimazole cream and miconazole nitrate cream can be used as directed by your doctor. Clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream can be used for bacterial vaginosis. Hydrocortisone cream can be used to relieve symptoms of allergic vulvitis, but it should not be used for a long time. Before using the medicine, you should clean your hands and vulva, and apply it correctly according to the instructions or doctor's advice.

4. Oral medications

When severe itching affects sleep, your doctor may recommend oral antihistamines such as loratadine tablets or cetirizine tablets. Recurrent fungal infections may require oral administration of fluconazole capsules. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with oral metronidazole tablets. Vulvar itching caused by diabetes requires blood sugar control and the use of hypoglycemic drugs such as metformin tablets. Oral drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor, and the dosage cannot be increased or decreased by yourself.

5. Medical examination

Persistent vulvar itching requires medical examination. The doctor may perform routine leucorrhea, vaginal secretion culture, blood sugar testing, etc. If necessary, perform a vulvar skin biopsy to rule out vulvar leukoplakia and other lesions. Develop targeted treatment plans based on examination results. Postmenopausal women may need to use topical estrogen ointments to improve atrophic vaginitis. Special cases may require phototherapy or surgery to treat vulvar lesions.

When vulvar itching persists, it is recommended to record the time, triggers, and accompanying symptoms of the itching to help doctors determine the cause. Avoid buying strong hormone ointments on your own, as long-term use may cause skin atrophy. Maintain a regular schedule and exercise moderately to enhance immunity. Adding probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt and soy products to your diet can help maintain the balance of vaginal flora. If vulvar redness, swelling, pain, ulcers or abnormal discharge occur, seek medical attention immediately.