Red lesions of the vulva: differentiated approach to diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Red lesions of the vulva: differentiated approach to diagnosis and treatment Yu.E. Dobrokhotova, E.I. Borovkova Pirogov Russian National Medical Research University, Moscow, Russian Federation Widespread prevalence and clinical diversity of vulvar disorders significantly hamper their diagnosis since the lesions may affect skin and genital mucosa or manifest extragenitally. The authors discuss differentiated diagnostic approach to vulvar disorders. This appoach is based on clinical signs and morphology of the disorder. Red lesions of the vulva require differential diagnosis between fungal infection and dermatitis. The paper reviews differential diagnosis and treatment approaches to red lesions of the vulva, both common (i.e., candidiasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, psoriasis, contact dermatitis), rare (allergic contact dermatitis, lichen ruber planus), and very rare (plasma cell vulvitis, extramammary Paget’s disease, benign familial pemphigus). Systemic and topical treatments using antifungal agents (Tergynan® or Lomexin®) for red lesions of the vulva are described. The authors conclude that this classification system based on clinical signs may provide differential diagnosis of red lesions of the vulva as well as facilitate treatment choice. Key words: vulva, lesions of vulva, differential diagnosis, candidiasis, dermatitis, lichen, psoriasis, Tergynan, Lomexin. For citation: Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Borovkova E.I. Red lesions of the vulva: differentiated approach to diagnosis and treatment. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2019;2(1):44–48.