Is it normal to be itchy down there

Although individuals with mild lichen sclerosus may not experience any symptoms, the following symptoms may appear as the condition progresses:. Although healthcare professionals do not yet know what causes lichen sclerosus, researchers believe that the condition results from hormone imbalances and immune conditions and that it may run in families. Lichen sclerosis does not currently have a cure.

However, a doctor may prescribe topical corticosteroids to relieve the symptoms. If that does not work, they may prescribe immune-modulating drugs. Learn more about Lichen sclerosus here. Public lice may cause an itchy vulva or vagina with no unusual discharge. Pubic lice are tiny, parasitic insects that usually attach to pubic hair or coarse hair elsewhere on the body. Having sexual intercourse is the primary way to transmit pubic lice. It is also possible to catch them by sharing blankets, sheets, towels, or underwear with people who have pubic lice.

Over-the-counter OTC lotions and shampoos can help treat pubic lice. For severe cases, a doctor may prescribe medications such as malathion, ivermectin, or lindane.

Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a condition that causes itchy, flushed skin. Inflamed, itchy patches can appear anywhere on the body, including in the pubic area. Eczema usually disappears on its own but flares up from time to time. The cause of flare-ups may vary from person to person. Currently, there is no cure for eczema. However, the treatment options available aim to prevent flare-ups. Self-care remedies, such as taking lukewarm baths and moisturizing the affected area, could help ease eczema symptoms.

A doctor may also prescribe medications such as topical corticosteroid creams or antibiotics. Learn more about eczema remedies here. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection STI that spreads through sexual contact. Some people with genital herpes may not have any symptoms. This infection is known as a vaginal yeast infection. The infection often occurs after taking a course of antibiotics, as these types of medications can destroy good bacteria along with the bad bacteria.

The good bacteria are needed to keep yeast growth in check. The overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can result in uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, burning, and lumpy discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis BV is another common reason for vaginal itching. Like a vaginal yeast infection, BV is triggered by an imbalance between naturally occurring good and bad bacteria in the vagina. When symptoms do appear, they typically include vaginal itching and an abnormal, foul-smelling discharge. The discharge may be thin and dull gray or white. In some cases, it might also be foamy. Numerous STDs can be transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse and cause itching in the vagina.

These include:. These conditions can also cause additional symptoms, including abnormal growths, green or yellow vaginal discharge, and pain while urinating. Women who are going through menopause or who have already done so are more at risk for vaginal itching. This is due to the reduction of estrogen levels that occur during menopause, which leads to vaginal atrophy. This is a thinning of the mucosa that can lead to excessive dryness. It might occur when stress weakens your immune system, leaving you more prone to the infections that cause itching.

In rare cases, vaginal itching may be a symptom of vulvar cancer. It includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina, the clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. Vulvar cancer may not always cause symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include itching, abnormal bleeding, or pain in the vulvar area. Vulvar cancer can be treated successfully if your doctor diagnoses it in the early stages. It's most common to get them through direct contact between your pubic hair and that of someone who has them.

It's rare but possible to pick them up from bedding or clothing that you may share with an infected person. Pubic lice generally live on the mons pubis, which is the fleshy area at the top of the vulva where most of your pubic hair is. Itching may be your only clue that they're there unless you look very close, and then you may see the tan or grayish lice on your pubic hair or skin or see their yellow or white eggs attached to the hair. Other than the itching, you shouldn't experience any symptoms because of the lice, and they aren't otherwise harmful.

You can get rid of pubic lice with:. You'll also need to machine-wash and dry any clothes, bedding, or towels that you used over the previous two or three days to kill anything still living on them. While it may seem like shaving your pubic hair would be a good way to get rid of these parasites, it only gets rid of the eggs and the lice will just crawl to the first body hair they can find.

If you do want to shave to make sure all the nits are gone, experts recommend waiting until after treatments have killed all the lice. You may have itching for a while after the lice are gone.

Try to avoid scratching, as you could damage your skin and develop an infection. If you notice redness or swelling in places where you've scratched, they could be a sign of infection. Be sure to see your healthcare provider for that. The only way to prevent pubic lice is by not having sex or another type of close contact with anyone who has them.

Any time you find out you have a sexually transmitted infection, you should contact all recent sexual partners and refrain from sex until you've received treatment. Genital herpes , another STI, is a common cause of genital itching.

Many cases of genital herpes are asymptomatic or have mild, infrequent symptoms. They can be on the vulva or perineum space between the vaginal and anal openings as well as inside the vagina and even on the cervix which connects the vagina to the uterus. When sores are present, it's called an outbreak. Other possible symptoms you may experience during an outbreak include:.

You can catch genital herpes by having unprotected genital contact with the genitals, anus, or lips of someone who has it. A condom can provide significant—but not total—protection. The condition can be managed with antiviral medications which also can help prevent it from spreading , over-the-counter pain medications, and cool compresses on the sores.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that makes the skin thin, pale, and wrinkly. It usually affects the genitalia and anus but also can strike the chest and arms. It's most common in women over age 50 and pre-pubescent girls. It's not always symptomatic but can cause:. Lichen sclerosis usually relapses and remits comes and goes and can cause permanent scars, and it usually gets worse over time if it's not properly treated.

It can't be cured, so treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms. Standard treatment includes:. If you have vaginal or vulvar itching without abnormal discharge that lasts more than a few days, you should see your healthcare provider.

What appears to be a minor problem like razor burn may be something more serious, such as genital herpes. Using the wrong treatment may further irritate your skin and lead to even more discomfort. If your itching is accompanied by abnormal discharge or pelvic pain, see your healthcare provider right away. Itching that won't go away can be a big distraction and detract significantly from your quality of life. Different causes of itchiness can require different treatments.

General treatments for an irritating itch include:. And as hard as it is, try not to scratch. Preventing vaginal and vulvar itching means protecting your skin and vaginal health. Good skin care can help prevent a lot of itching, especially due to dry skin. Dermatologists recommend that you:. An OTC moisturizer like Replens can usually provide relief from internal itching for about three days, Dr. Minkin says, and your provider can give you a prescription estrogen cream for any external itching.

A urinary tract infection UTI is a bacterial infection that crops up anywhere in your urinary tract read: kidneys, urethra, ureters, and bladder , and will commonly cause pelvic pain, a strong urge to pee, a burning sensation when you pee, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. Minkin confirms that it can also cause itching in the form of a tingling, irritated sensation, especially if the infection is located near your urethra.

You need to snag an appointment with your doctor and get a urinalysis to check for the presence of bacteria which an antibiotic can clear up. In the past few decades, women have grown more preoccupied with the appearance of their vulvas, says Dr. Minkin—something she attributes to the trend of having less hair down there.

Which means many women have also tried out some pretty unconventional beauty treatments, like activated charcoal vulva masks basically a facial for your vagina and vaginal steaming. The less stuff you do to it, the better. Not only can they up your risk of developing skin cancer, but tanning in the nude can give you a burn on the skin around the vagina. So yeah, just don't do this in the first place, please. But if you do somehow end up with a burn downstairs, Dr. Your bikini area is just as sensitive—if not more so—to razor burns and irritation from shaving or waxing your hair.

If you have curly or coarser hair down there, you're more at risk for razor bumps and ingrowns, since it's easier for this kind of hair to become caught under the skin's surface. Medeiros adds that not having access to good quality depilatories and shavers can also put you at a greater risk of developing itching from hair removal irritation. Chinn recommends applying hypoallergenic cream or lotions to protect the skin, as well as keeping it dry and clean.

Vulvar cancer is a rarer cancer that's typically diagnosed in older women, says Dr. It's caused by an abnormal growth of cancerous cells in the vulva. Most women who get it don't really noticed they have it until a doctor sees an irregularity, like a lesion, on their skin, explains Dr.

Itching that's associated with this condition tends to be localized to the area where the cancer is. Though vulvar cancer may cause itching, you'll probably experience other symptoms like skin changes too.

If you're concerned your vaginal itching is due to vulvar cancer, it's best to consult your doctor who will advise you on the best course of treatment for the itching.