title: Clinical care of vulvar pruritus, with emphasis on one common cause, lichen simplex chronicus.
abstract: Vulvar pruritus is a common and distressing condition for patients, and its presentation is often delayed and complicated by home remedies. The true prevalence cannot be accurately estimated. Vulvar pruritus is a symptom, and an underlying cause must be sought and not assumed. This is best accomplished by obtaining a careful history of vulvar care regimens and treatments, performing a detailed physical examination, and considering a broad differential diagnosis. This article provides a practical and clinical approach to the evaluation of vulvar pruritus and then focuses specifically on one common cause, lichen simplex chronicus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Naval Health Clinic New England, Newport, RI 02841, USA. kristen.stewart@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Kristen M A
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011539:Pruritus Vulvae / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000777:Anesthetics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives