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Pruritus vulvae - Management
What self-care advice should I give to women with pruritus vulvae?

  • Advise the woman:
    • To shower rather than bath, and to clean the vulval area only once a day with a soap substitute (for example Epaderm® or Diprobase® cream) — over cleaning may aggravate vulval symptoms. Once the vulval area is clean, gently dab the vulval area dry with a soft towel or use a hairdryer on a cool setting held well away from the skin.
  • Advise women with pruritus vulvae to avoid:
    • Washing with water only or with soap as these cause dry skin and make itching worse.
    • Contact of the vulval skin with:
      • Shampoo.
      • Bubble bath.
      • Over-the-counter preparations used on the vulva, such as Vagasil® or vaginal washes.
      • Wet wipes (feminine or baby).
      • Perfumed sanitary towels and panty liners.
      • Sponges or flannels — these may irritate the skin.
      • Antiseptics such as Dettol®.
    • Tight-fitting garments or synthetic clothes, for example nylon underwear, as these may irritate the vulval area.
    • Fabric conditioner or biological washing powder when washing underwear.
    • Use of spermicidally-lubricated condoms.
    • Coloured toilet paper.
    • Wearing nail varnish on fingernails if they are scratching.
    • Wearing dark-coloured underwear — dark textile dyes (black, navy) may cause an allergy, however it is thought that if they are washed a few times before wearing, this is less likely to be a problem.
  • Encourage all women with vulval symptoms to perform a self examination to monitor the skin condition and any suspicious areas.

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