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Itching, generally means a sensation that occurs in your skin layer, either as a reaction to chemicals , environmental irritants, or as a result of an infection. There are various reason why your skin would talk to you , by giving you an itch, and the corresponding reaction , by you to ease this itching is for you to scratch. And it doing so, you may either use your finger nails to scratch, rub or thump.
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When we then talk of genital itching, we mean itching in a male or female genital areas, like in the female, vulva, vagina ; male scrotum, penis etc, and in between the thighs.
In females, genital itching could be in various areas , the most common ones are ;
• Vaginal: Vaginal itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin of the vagina and the surrounding area vulva. The itching may cause a desire to scratch the affected area. Although vaginal itching is the sign of yeast infections and other vaginal infections, including sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, itching in the vagina and vulvar areas has multiple causes.
Cause : Vaginal itching can also arise due to chemical irritants that may be found in detergents or soaps, douches and vaginal creams, toilet paper, bath products, feminine hygiene products, and vaginal contraceptive products.
Menopause: Women in the menopausal transition may experience vaginal itching due to fluctuations in oestrogen levels. As estrogen levels decline in the perimenopause, the vaginal wall becomes thinner and drier, and itching may result.
• Stress: There is a link between psychological stress and vaginal yeast infections, due to the fact that stress is known to have a negative effect on the immune system and could possibly increase the likelihood of getting a yeast infection.
Home remedy:
• Avoid colored or perfumed toilet tissue and bubble bath.
• Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and douches.
• Change out of wet clothing, especially wet bathing suits or exercise clothing, as soon as possible.
• Cleanse the area by wiping or washing from front to back (vagina to anus) after urinating or having a bowel movement.
• Eat yogurt with live cultures or take Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when using antibiotics. Consult your doctor.
• Keep your genital area clean and dry. Use plain, unscented soap.
• Keep your blood sugar under good control if you have diabetes.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Wear cotton panties or pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid panties made from synthetic materials. For infants and toddlers, change diapers often.
• Avoid overexertion, heat, and excessive sweating.
• Avoid scratching, which will only aggravate the problem.
• Delay sexual activity until your symptoms get better, or use a lubricant during intercourse.
• Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
If you know that you have a yeast infection because your symptoms are exactly the same as those you’ve had in the past, try over-the-counter creams or vaginal suppositories.
Yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted. However, sometimes men also develop itching and redness following sexual contact. If this is the case, or you get recurrent infections for unclear reasons, both you and your partner may require treatment. Talk to your doctor.
For itching related to menopause, your doctor may consider estrogen cream or tablets to insert vaginally.
Bacterial vaginosis : can produce vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. There are a number of species of bacteria that naturally live in the vaginal area and may grow to excess. The Gardnerella organism is not the sole culprit causing the symptoms. When these multiple species of bacteria become imbalanced, a woman can have a vaginal discharge with a foul odour .
Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms. Any woman with an unusual discharge should be evaluated so that more serious infections such as Chlamydia and gonorrhoea , can be excluded. Symptoms may also mimic those found in yeast infections, of the vagina and trichomoniasis, and these conditions must also be excluded in women with vaginal symptoms.
The occurrence of this infection varies from place to place, but it is found in about 16% of pregnant women and approximately 60% of women who have a sexually-transmitted disease (STD).
Symtoms
About 85% of those affected with bacterial vaginosis actually have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, vaginal discharge and odor are the predominant symptoms. The amount of vaginal discharge that is considered normal varies from woman to woman so any degree of vaginal discharge that is abnormal for a particular woman should be evaluated.
Some women may experience an unpleasant fishy odor with vaginal discharge. The discharge is usually thin and grayish white. The discharge is often more noticeable after sexual intercourse.
Causes: These include multiple or new sexual partners, intrauterine devices for contraception, recent antibiotic use, smoking and vaginal douching. However, the role of sexual activity in the development of the condition is not fully understood, and bacterial vaginosis can still develop in women who have not had sexual intercourse.
Treatment
This mostly by the use of antibiotics.
• metronidazole (Flagyl) oral pill form or by vaginal metronidazole gel .
Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is possible even after successful treatment. More than half of those treated experience recurrent symptoms within 12 months. It is unclear why so many recurrent infections develop. With recurrent symptoms, a second course of antibiotics is generally prescribed.
Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a bacterium , Chlamydia trichomatis , that causes an infection that is very similar to gonorrhea in the way that it is spread and the symptoms it produces. It is common and affects approximately 4 million women annually. Like gonorrhea, the chlamydia bacterium is found in the cervix and urethra and can live in the throat or rectum. Both infected men and infected women frequently lack symptoms of chlamydia infection. Thus, these individuals can unknowingly spread the infection to others.
The common remedy is the Zithromax , doxycycline, , which you can obtain by prescription through your doctor, from the pharmacy.
Genital Herpes:
Genital herpes is a common condition affecting large number of sexually active people worldwide. The herpes viruses responsible for genital herpes are transmitted through close personal contact such as sexual contact.
The symptoms of genital herpes vary among people. Most people infected with HSV have no symptoms or have only mild symptoms, but some develop severe symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the infected person usually develops one or more painful blisters in the anal or genital areas that eventually ulcerate and heal over a period of a few weeks.
When a person is first infected with the herpes virus, if symptoms occur, these usually develop within the first two weeks after infection. These symptoms of an initial infection can include:
• Fever and flu–like symptoms
• Genital itching, burning, or discomfort
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Swollen lymph nodes
• A feeling of pressure in the abdomen
• Treatment include antibiotics and specific agent to counter the organism. It is best to always let your doctor know what you are experiencing.
Genital wart, Gonnorhoea, yeast infection are all other causes of vaginal itching.
Yeast Infections
Causes :Vaginal yeast infections occur when new yeast is introduced into the vaginal area, or when there is an increase in the quantity of yeast already present in the vagina relative to the quantity of normal bacteria, During treatment , when the normal, protective bacteria are eradicated by antibiotics or by immunosuppressive drugs, the yeast can multiply, invade tissues, and cause irritation of the lining of the vagina – vaginitis.
Vaginal yeast infections can also occur as a result of injury to the inner vagina, such as after chemotherapy. Also, women with suppressed immune systems (for example, those taking cortisone-related medications, develop vaginal yeast infections more frequently than women with normal immunity. Other conditions that may predispose women to developing vaginal yeast infections include diabetes mellitus, and taking oral contraception . The use of douches or perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase a woman’s risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection
A vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a STD, since Candida may be present in the normal vagina, and the condition does occur in celibate women. However, it is possible for men to develop symptoms of skin irritation of the penis from a yeast infection after sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
Symptoms :
Vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis cause symptoms that are nonspecific, which means that aside from the yeast infection, other conditions can cause the identical symptoms. The most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is itching in the areas around the vulva and vagina. Other symptoms of vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis include:
• burning,
• soreness,
• pain during and/or urination, and
• vaginal discharge , Vaginal discharge is not always present, but when it occurs, the discharge is odorless and typically has a whitish, thick appearance and texture, like cottage cheese.
Itching in males?
A male with genital itching has irritation of the penis or scrotum, which results in the urge to scratch the area. Genital itching may be triggered by allergies, chemicals, or infections.
Symptoms : Symptoms of genital itching in males depend on the underlying cause. Common associated symptoms include a rash, skin redness, skin peeling, blisters, and sores.
Treatment : Treatment for genital itching , in males depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may include special shampoo, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hydrocortisone cream, antifungal cream, and oral antifungal medicines.
Causes in males include
• Allergic and Atopic dermatitis , candidiasis, Diabetes , Genital warts, Herpes herpes ,pubic lice, psoriasis, scabies, stress, jock itch, veneral disease.
When there is an itching sensation in the genitals, it is important that you attempt to pinpoint the cause, as to whether it is an allergy, or infection.
It is therefore important that you know when you first noticed the itch, and relay all necessary information to your doctor as soon as possible. It is also important that prompt treatment is given and care is taken to avoid recurrent infection, if it can be avoided.
How to avoid Genital Itching
Females :
• After urination or bowel movements, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus (rectum) entering the vagina.
• Avoid chemical products such as vaginal douches or feminine hygiene sprays, which can upset the acidic balance of the vagina.
• Avoid the use of excessive amounts of laundry detergent in the washing machine.
• Stay away from over-the-counter itch blockers, as these products can make the itching worse in the long term.
• If you suspect a lubricant might be worsening the itching, talk to your doctor about the best options.
• Avoid trauma to the area, such as excessive shaving and scratching.
• Eat a well-balanced diet to maintain healthy bacteria in the vagina.
Males
• Wash the penis well, including the area under the foreskin in uncircumcised men.
• If you sweat throughout the day, consider changing underwear frequently.
Prevention :
• Keep the genital area clean and dry. Use mild soap, or better yet, avoid soap completely, and rinse well with water. Avoid over-cleaning the vaginal area.
• Wear loose, natural-fiber underwear and clothing. Change underwear at least every 24 hours.
• Dry off thoroughly after bathing and swimming. Avoid staying in wet clothing for long periods of time.
• Avoid unprotected sex, especially if you are worried that you or your partner might have an infection.[Cleveland clinic]I
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