Have you felt on the inside of your vagina, or with the help of a mirror saw what looks like blisters, pimples, or maybe even a rash? Are you confused and not a hundred percent sure they are what you assume although they look similar, but still you are worried sick?
It is natural to worry, but in some cases women tend to become over panicky to an extent they are scared to death when there really is no need.
Most times a rash in the vulva area is a result of irritation. A simple thing like material rubbing against the skin can bring rash. Vaginal rash that cause no other symptoms are normally nothing to worry about and often go away when treated with home remedies.
A common cause for redness is if the skin comes in contact with a certain substances known for causing irritation or an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis). Every day needs like soap, washing powder, shampoo, deodorant and scented perfume can cause contact dermatitis. Usually this sort of rash can be itchy, but rarely a serious matter. Experiment with different products or change brand names to see if this is causing your vaginal rash.
Rash that develops through irritation are common, and typically sorted by being sensible (keeping good hygiene and wearing loose clothes etc). However, not all are so common and may need a doctor to take a look at.
Scabies
Scabies is a condition known for itch and very contagious. Scabies are tiny mites that burrow into the outer layers of the skin. I myself in the past suffered from scabies. Do not ask me how I got them because I cannot remember, but what I do remember is, it is a frustrating and embarrassing condition due to the constant need to scratch. You could be stood with people and regardless of the part of the body that is itchy you will tear away at the skin to get relief not giving a second thought to those around you. Remember. you are not a dirty person if you get scabies, well I hope not because I had them.
Pubic lice are tiny insects that live on humans and survive by feeding on blood. Once again itch is likely.
Yeast infection (cutaneous candidiasis). Rash can occur in clammy skin folds surrounding the vagina.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes raised red or white patches covered with silvery scaling skin. This type of rash is most likely to affect the knees, elbows, scalp, tailbone and back before the vagina. Other body parts include fingernails, palms, and bottom of the feet.
Vaginal sores, blisters, pimples, bumps or lumps do not always mean there is something seriously wrong; nevertheless it is best to have an odd finding or changes to your normal vaginal behaviours to have them checked out
Conditions that may cause a sore, blister, or lump on the vagina include:
If there is a sexually transmitted disease present then it is usual for sores, blisters, or ulcers to appear in the groin or vaginal area.
Then there is genital herpes which is a viral infection known to cause blisters and sores in and around the vagina.
Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease. The warts are caused by various types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Bartholin gland cyst: What are Bartholin Glands? They are two glands sited at either side of the vaginal opening. Both produce fluids that lubricate the opening to the vagina. If one of the glands becomes blocked fluids can build up inside the gland causing a painless lump called a Bartholin cyst. The cysts as a rule do not need treating but in some cases surgery might be suggested to drain them. This would also apply if one of the glands become infected and cause an abscess.
Another problem and a common one too, is the case of an infected hair shaft. Symptoms are a red tender lump which forms after skin bacteria caused by infection happens at the base of a hair shaft
Vaginal cysts
A vaginal cyst is a closed sac that is situated on or under the vaginal lining that contains fluid or semisolid material.
There are many sorts of vaginal cysts which can vary in size (pea size to that of a tennis ball). Vaginal inclusion cysts are the more common. These might come as a result of damage sustained by the vaginal walls or following an obstetric or gynecologic process when the lining of the vagina will not better itself back to natural smoothness.
Gartner’s duct cysts happen in the room already occupied by the Gartner’s duct, normally on the side walls of the vagina. This duct is lively during fetal growth but generally go away after birth. Not in every case but in some – sections of the duct can gather fluid and develop into a vaginal wall cyst later on in years.
Vaginal cysts are likely to have women complain of soreness while having sex, or when inserting tampons.
To determine cysts would include having a pelvic examination, and if a mass or bulge of the vaginal wall is detected then your doctor will want to be sure it has nothing to do with vaginal cancer and will call for a biopsy to be done.
If a cyst exists it would be monitored through routine checkups for growth and other changes. Should the cyst play up and cause symptoms the option is there to have it removed, or in some cases not an option if the doctor feels it necessary. Removal is done by surgical excision.
Cysts surgically removed do not normally come back. As like with most treatments there are the risks to consider, and surgical excision being one of them. The process carries a slight risk of complications depending on where the cyst is situated in relation to other structures.