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Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina. It’s a common condition that affects women and girls of all ages. It has a variety of causes. Other names for this condition are vulvitis and vaginitis.
Bacterial vulvovaginitis affects nearly
A
Many triggers can cause an infection in the阴道和vulval areas. The
- yeast
- 病毒
- parasites
- environmental factors
- 性传播感染（ETI）
- exposure to chemical irritants and allergens
Bacteria
Certain bacteria can multiply and cause vulvovaginitis.Gardnarellais a commonly found bacteria in the vagina. Overgrowth results in bacterial vaginosis, the most common vulvovaginitis.
Streptococcus或者葡萄球菌can also be present but usually do not result in an infection. A bacterial infection can cause a grayish-white discharge with a fishy odor.
Yeast
One of the most common causes of vulvovaginitis isCandida albicans。Thisyeast infectioncan cause genital itching and a thick, white vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese-like texture.
Some women experience yeast infections after using antibiotics. This is because antibiotics can kill the antifungal bacteria that naturally live in the vagina.
Viruses
可能引起外阴毒素炎的病毒通常是性传播的。这些包括herpes和human papillomavirus (HPV)。
Parasites
Pinworms,scabies， 和lice会引起外阴和阴道的炎症。
Environmental factors
Poor hygiene and allergens can also cause this condition. Tight clothing can rub against the skin and create irritation and trap moisture in the area.
刺激性皮肤比健康皮肤更容易受到外阴毒素的影响。刺激也会延迟恢复。
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
The STI滴虫性阴道炎can cause vulvovaginitis. This infection causes genital discomfort, itching, and heavy discharge. The discharge can be yellow, green, or gray. It often has a strong odor.Chlamydia,gonorrhea，并且疱疹也会引起阴道炎。
Chemicals
Some chemicals can cause vulvovaginitis. These are often found in soaps, feminine sprays, perfume, and阴道避孕药。可能引起过敏反应的化学物质包括：
- parabens
- sodium sulfate
- triclosan
- dioxane
If any of these ingredients are in your soap or laundry detergent, you may want to switch to a hypoallergenic or fragrance-free brand. This can help prevent your infection from recurring.
Vulvovaginitis is the
Vulvovaginitis in children can be treated with daily bathing, steroids, and low-dose, topical antibiotics. It’s important to advise your child on proper bathroom hygiene. Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear can keep the infection from occurring again.
The symptoms of vulvovaginitis vary and depend on their cause. In general, symptoms can include:
- irritation of the genital area
- itching
- inflammation around the labia and perineal areas
- 增加,strong-smelling vaginal discharge
- discomfort while urinating
Your doctor will diagnose vulvovaginitis by discussing your symptoms and possibly collecting a sample of vaginal discharge to test.
In most cases, your doctor will need to perform apelvic examination。Awet prepmay be necessary to correctly identify the cause of your inflammation. This involves collecting some vaginal discharge for microscopic evaluation.
Your doctor can then identify the organism causing the condition, leading to a quicker and more successful treatment.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to活检the vulva to identify the organism. This means your doctor will take a small sample of tissue for further examination. A biopsy is typically only necessary if traditional treatment methods are unsuccessful.
You can find a primary care doctor or gynecologist near you through theHealthline FindCare tool。
The correct treatment for vulvovaginitis depends on the type of infection and the organism causing the problem.
可以自己治疗某些类型的外阴毒素炎。但是，在开始任何家庭治疗之前，请务必与您的医生交谈。
家庭疗法
If you’ve had a yeast infection in the past, you may be able to treat vulvovaginitis using over-the-counter products available at any pharmacy, including:
- 阴道l creams
- 栓剂
- topical ointments
- 口服药丸
药剂师可能可以为您提供有关症状以及如何应用产品的最佳产品的建议。
Crushed garlic and椰子油这两者都以其抗菌特性而闻名，也可能有助于治疗这种情况。
You may be able to relieve some of the symptoms of your vulvovaginitis by sitting in aSitz浴— a warm, shallow bath that only covers your hip area. Adding茶树油或者a trace amount of vinegar or sea salt to the bath may help kill some bacteria, if that’s the cause of your symptoms.
Be careful not to sit in the bath for too long. Use a towel to dry the affected area completely after your bath.
Consult your doctor if the inflammation or discharge doesn’t improve after a week of home treatment.
Shop for vulvovaginitis home remedies online:
Prescribed medications
在您的医生确定导致外阴毒素炎的有机体类型之后，它们可能会开药。
Medications for this condition may include:
- 口服抗生素
- 抗生素霜（直接应用于皮肤）
- antibacterial creams (applied directly to the skin)
- antifungal creams (applied directly to the skin)
- 口服抗真菌药
- 口服抗组胺药，如果过敏反应是可能的原因
- estrogen creams
您的医生还可能建议使用个人卫生常规，以帮助治愈感染并防止其反复出现。这可能包括在使用厕所后正确擦拭Sitz浴室和擦拭。
Other suggestions include wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear to allow for air circulation and to reduce moisture in the area. Removing underwear at bedtime may also help prevent vulvovaginitis.
适当的清洁很重要，可能有助于防止刺激。如果感染是细菌，则尤其如此。避免使用气泡浴，香精，灌注和洗粉。选择Sitz浴室或产品的敏感皮肤版本。
A冷压may also relieve pain on swollen or tender areas.
Sexual health
It’s important to tell your sexual partners if your vulvovaginitis is the result of an STI. All sexual partners should receive treatment for the condition, even if they’re not currently showing symptoms.
Most cases of vulvovaginitis heal quickly when properly treated. Return to your doctor if you don’t see an improvement within one week. You may find that alternative treatments are more effective.
Although yeast infections and bacterial vulvovaginitis are not considered STIs, emerging information suggests that bacterial vulvovaginitis may be sexually transmitted.
If you have an STI or virus, you should wait until you and your partner have completed treatment and are free of symptoms before resuming sex,according to the Mayo Clinic。
如果酵母引起您的外阴毒素炎，您可能会发现感染会恢复。非处方产品通常可以治疗这些感染。