What causes vulvar erythema?

Atopic or irritant dermatitis are the most common diagnoses. Infections are more associated with acute inflammation with erythema and the presence of a vaginal discharge. Common respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae may cause acute genital symptoms.

What is a vulvar lesion?

The vulva is the outer part of a woman’s genitals. Vulvar ulcers are sores that appear in this area. Vulvar ulcers can be extremely painful and, in some cases, they may not hurt at all. Most of the time these lesions are caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but many other issues can trigger an ulcer.

What is vulvar pigmentation?

Vulvar melanosis (VM) (also called genital melanosis/lentiginosis and vulvar melanotic macule) is a benign pigmented lesion that usually takes the shape of multiple flat asymmetrical macules, with a tan-brown to blue-black color, irregular borders, and variable size.

How do you get vulvar lesions?

Causes of Vulvar Ulcers

1. Yeast infections. A fungal infection in the vulva is also known as a yeast infection.
2. Viruses. Any virus that causes lesions on the skin can also affect your vulva.
3. Skin reactions. The skin of the vulva is delicate.
4. Trauma.
5. Autoimmune illnesses.

Are vulvar lesions normal?

Skin lesions are mainly typical of those found elsewhere on the body, and are found on the outer aspects of the vulva, the labia majora, extending to the groin. They include benign (harmless) and malignant (cancerous) tumours. They are often classified according to cell of origin. Viral infections may mimic lesions.

How do you get vulvar Melanosis?

Vulvar melanosis occurs most commonly in perimenopausal women. The pathogenesis of these lesions is unknown (2). Chronic inflammation may be responsible in some cases, as genital lentigines have been observed with resolved annular lichen planus (3) and in patients with lichen sclerosus (4).

Is vulvar Melanosis bad?

Vulvar melanosis is the most frequent lesion among these pigmented disorders. Vulvar melanosis usually occurs in white women and has an unknown etiology. Even though vulvar melanosis has a benign prognosis, it causes concern to the patient and to the physician, owing to its melanoma-like presentation.

Can a peri-vaginal hypopigmentation be a sign of LS?

In most cases the changes are very subtle, and may not be immediately noticeable even to your gynecologist. Peri-vaginal hypopigmentation may be a sign of vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS). What is vulvar lichen sclerosus?

Is it normal to have hyperpigmentation of the labia minora?

Physiologic hyperpigmentation is normal hyperpigmentation that is most common in individuals who are darkly complexioned; this is accentuated at the posterior introitus, the tips of the labia minora, and the perianal skin. Often there is hyperpigmentation of the hair-bearing labia majora as well.

What kind of pigmentation is found in the genitals?

Laugier–Hunziker syndrome (idiopathic lenticular mucocutaneous pigmentation) is a disorder characterized by genital lesions associated with oral pigmentation. Rarely, Carney’s complex may present with lentigines in the genital skin and mucosa.

Where does hypopigmentation occur in the LS?

Early skin changes of LS include the labia minora (small lips) and inner aspects of the labia majora (large lips) becoming wrinkly, shiny and sticky. Vulvar hypopigmentation can also occur as the initial sign or later in the course of the condition. Hypopigmentation is where the tissues turn white.