title: Inflammatory Vulvar Dermatoses.
abstract: Inflammatory vulvar dermatoses affect many women, but are likely underdiagnosed due to embarrassment and reluctance to visit a health care provider. Although itch and pain are common presenting symptoms, the physical examination can help distinguish between different disease entities. Because many women's health providers have minimal training in the categorization and management of dermatologic disease, definitive diagnosis and management can be difficult. Herein, strategies for diagnosing vulvar lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, contact dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, and psoriasis are discussed along with basic management of these diseases, which commonly involves decreasing inflammation through behavioral change, gentle skin care, topical corticosteroids, and systemic therapies.
authors.affiliation: *Stanford University School of Medicine †Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Redwood City, California ‡Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014847:Vulvitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones