Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Oh, Great: You Can Get Eczema On Your Vulva
Lots of things can irritate your nether regions, however, so sometimes it can be tough to know what you're dealing with. Though a derm or ob-gyn can make the final call (and help you find the right treatment), here are three other common culprits to consider:
Yeast infections
This happens when there's a disruption of your normal, healthy microorganisms, and an overgrowth of certain kinds of yeast, in your vagina. Alongside itchiness, you'll probably have white, chunky, odorless discharge and sometimes feel a burning sensation while peeing or having sex. While Dr. Kenkare says this *likely* means your issues aren't eczema-related, a yeast infection can sometimes trigger a flare-up of eczema symptoms or increase discomfort if you're in the throes of one. But in both cases, "it is not contagious, nor is it a sign of bad hygiene," Dr. Smith says.
Contact dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, meaning it might recur repeatedly. So if this is a one-off scratching situation and you haven't been diagnosed with eczema in the past, you might have contact dermatitis, which happens when your skin reacts to something specific, like a new type of laundry detergent or a "cleansing" wipe loaded with fragrances. In this case, identifying what's bothering you and getting rid of it should solve the urge to scratch, Chris G. Adigun, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill in NC, tells SELF.
STIs
While gonorrhea and chlamydia can both cause itchiness around the genitals, they may result in an unusual discharge, sometimes with an odor that eczema wouldn't cause. You might also experience other problems, like pain during sex, abdominal aches, or a fever. (Although STIs often cause no symptoms at all.) If you've been sexually active, particularly with new or multiple partners, and your vulva suddenly feels inflamed, it's probably a good idea to get tested for STIs just to be 100% sure you aren't dealing with something that requires antibiotics, Dr. Kenkare advises.
Fortunately, there are treatments for eczema flare-ups, and the best way to get relief on your vulva isn't too far off from how you'd deal with itchiness on other body parts, Dr. Adigun says.
If your symptoms are mild—you get tiny, slightly itchy patches every few months or so—Dr. Kenkare says you can manage irritation with some gentle skin care. Her rec: Apply topical petroleum jelly wherever you're having issues. "People might not realize that an area in the body that can get to be humid and swampy would also require moisturization, but it really does," Dr. Kenkare says.
Look for products labeled as sensitive or fragrance-free and have the National Eczema Association seal on the bottle. Try not to pat on just any cream or lotion—some contain menthol, for example, which can exacerbate itchiness. The same goes for harsh, perfumy soaps. Also, steer clear of anything that claims to "freshen" things up, like sprays, douches, and powders. (Here are a few tips to safely clean your vagina in general.) Use a fragrance-free laundry detergent made for sensitive skin, Dr. Adigun says. It can also help to wear 100% cotton underwear, as synthetic fibers may make things worse.
WHO Reports Rise In Diphtheria Cases, Here Are Its Symptoms And Risk Factors
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that Diphtheria is on the rise. This is a concerning matter as Diphtheria is an infectious disease, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium Diphtheriae, and can lead to severe complications if not promptly treated.
According to WHO, diphtheria is reportedly fatal in 5-10% of the cases, especially in young children. Hence, it becomes crucial that we are aware of the symptoms and risk factors associated with diphtheria for early diagnosis and effective management.
What is Diphtheria?The Centres for Disease Control & Prevention defines Diphtheria as a bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory system, although it can also involve the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person or contact with contaminated objects. The bacteria produce a toxin that can cause damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys if left untreated.
Here are the symptoms of Diphtheria:
It's crucial to note that diphtheria can mimic common respiratory infections initially, making it challenging to diagnose without specific tests.
Also Read: Douching Is Not Necessary For Vaginal Hygiene: 5 Expert-Recommended Tips To Follow Instead
Diphtheria Risk Factors & TreatmentSeveral factors increase the risk of diphtheria. Understanding these risk factors can help you prevent this dangerous disease and stay safe:
The tricky thing about infectious diseases is that they are caused by pathogens that are invisible to the naked eye. So lifestyle practices as a measure of prevention can only take you so far. Hence, it is crucial that you also get vaccinated. The diphtheria vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection. It is often administered as part of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine series in childhood, with booster doses recommended periodically.
Regardless, you should always practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. This can help prevent many infectious diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and antitoxin are equally essential to prevent complications and reduce mortality rates due to Dipthera. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritise preventive measures to combat the rise of diphtheria cases worldwide.
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Mastering Corneal Ulcers (part 1)
Identify and distinguish between normal corneal conditions and infected ulcers cases
Joshua Broadwater, DVM, DACVO, veterinary ophthalmologist at the Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency in North Carolina, recognized that ophthalmology cases can be difficult, however corneal ulcers are quite common in veterinary medicine, and therefore, important for veterinary professionals to brush up on their knowledge of the disease. He also explained how to tell the difference when infected corneal ulcers can be medically managed by a general practitioner or when a case is more severe and needs to be sent to an ophthalmologist for surgery, which will be discussed in part 2.
gail corrow / stock.Adobe.Com
What's normalDuring his session at the 2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina,1 Broadwater said to attendees, "I like to go into what's normal before we jump into what's abnormal." So, what would look normal? First, the tear film of the eye has an oily layer which is the meibomian glands of the eyelids. Then, there is an aqueous layer, which is the third eyelid gland and lacrimal gland. And finally, there is the mucus or glycoprotein layer, which comprises of the goblet cells of the cornea and conjunctiva. "We've learned to understand the importance of the tear film is super for these [patients], because dry eye is probably the most common underlying condition that I see that leads to a lot of ulcers in a lot of dogs. So, understanding that we need to have all these layers intact is super important," Broadwater continued.
Along with the tear film layers, there are also the corneal layers which includes the epithelial layer, basement membrane, stromal layer, Descemet's membrane, and the endothelial cells. "The bulk of the cornea is going to be the stroma that makes up 95% of the corneal thickness," Broadwater said.
A normal corneal anatomy consists of a 0.5-0.6 mm thickness and no blood vessels. Broadwater stated, "So you can imagine we don't have a large margin of error when we get an ulcer, and it starts to get deep into the cornea, it starts to be a little scary that the cornea is going to get thinner and thinner. We have no blood vessels. It's one of the only things in our body that doesn't have blood vessels in it. Which is great because we have to be able to see out really well, but it's not so good when we get an infection because we want those blood vessels there to get white blood cells to the site to fight the infection…and they take a long time to get there."
Normally functioning corneas should also have the ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V1), and this helps with sensory innervation and signals the brain for discomfort if something is bothering the eye.1,2 "It's also the most painful so when you get an ulcer, especially even a superficial ulcer, they're really sensitive," Broadwater said.
The final thing that should be present in a normal cornea is a type of defense system. An intact epithelium can act as a barrier against bacteria, eyelashes help catch debris before they enter the eye, and the tear film coupled with functioning blinking can help wash away any debris.
What's not normal (corneal ulcers)Corneal ulcers may arise due to insufficient eye lubrication (inadequate tear production) or because of trauma, such as scratches or other injuries.3 Corneal injuries can also occur from a foreign object getting caught in the eye like dirt, sand, an eyelash, wood shavings, etc. The ulcers can escalate in severity if infections take hold. A superficial corneal ulcer would affect the top layer (epithelium) and a stromal ulcer goes below the epithelial layers. A majority of infected corneal ulcers are deeper, stromal ulcers and these cases need a more aggressive, immediate treatment.1,4
Deep infected stromal ulcerTo diagnosis, Broadwater recommended examining the patient for any underlying pathology that may have caused the ulcers such as dry eye, entropion, foreign body, distichia, allergies, or trauma (scratch). However, take everything into consideration. For example, Broadwater reminded attendees, "It's tough to diagnose in these cases right away. Why would dry eye be tough to diagnose? It hurts, right? So you're tearing a lot more…you can still do your tear test, as long as this thing is not too deep. Because that might not be a true indication of tear production, that might be a reflex tearing." In general, Broadwater recommended being extra cautious with all diagnostics when an ulcer looks very deep. Instead, cytology and a bacterial culture can be a good option in these cases.
Most infected ulcers are going to be bacterial, however a small amount could be fungal. The most common bacteria will be Staphylococcus, followed by Streptococcus and Pseudomonas.1,5
Brachycephalic breeds and other dogs with larger exposed eye sockets are more susceptible to corneal ulcerative disease.6 Broadwater also stated that patients with underlying metabolic diseases such as diabetes and Cushing's disease, can be predisposed to getting an infected ulcer because the body cannot fight off the infection as easily as those without these conditions.
Stay tuned for part 2 to learn more about when to use medical management for these cases and when surgery is necessary.
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