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Rash, sore, blister, or lump in the vaginal area
A rash in your vaginal area (vulva 
) may be caused by
irritation of the skin from many sources, such as
clothes rubbing against the skin. Rashes that occur without other symptoms are
usually minor and often go away with home treatment.
Contact dermatitis
A common cause of a rash is contact with a substance that causes irritation or an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis). Soaps, detergents, shampoos, perfumes, or lotions can cause contact dermatitis. Often the rash from contact dermatitis is very itchy, but it is rarely serious. Changing your soap or detergent may be all you need to do to prevent this type of rash.
Other rashes in the vaginal area
Other conditions that may cause a rash in the vaginal area include:
- Scabies, which is an itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the outer layers of the skin.
- Pubic lice, which are small insects that live on humans and survive by feeding on blood.
- Yeast infection (cutaneous candidiasis), which may cause a rash in the moist skin folds of the vaginal area.
- Psoriasis, which causes raised red or white patches topped with silvery, scaling skin. The patches are most common on the knees, elbows, scalp, tailbone, and back, but may appear anywhere on the body (including the fingernails, palms, and soles of the feet).
Sores, blisters, or lumps in the vaginal area
Conditions that may cause a sore, blister, or lump include:
- Genital herpes. Genital herpes is a viral infection that causes skin blisters and sores in the vaginal area.
- Genital warts. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease (STD). They are caused by various types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Bartholin gland cyst. Bartholin glands are two small
glands located on each side of the opening of the vagina. These glands produce
fluids that lubricate the opening to the vagina. If the opening to one of the
glands becomes blocked, fluids may build up inside the gland, causing a
painless lump called a Bartholin cyst. Bartholin cysts usually do not need
treatment, but sometimes surgery may be needed to drain them. In some cases,
one of the glands may become infected, causing an abscess, which may need to be
drained.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sores, blisters, or ulcers, especially in the groin or vaginal area, may be the first symptom of several different STDs.
- An infected hair shaft (folliculitis). A red, tender lump may form when skin bacteria cause an infection at the base of a hair shaft.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 4, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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