Vulval Psoriasis

What is vulval psoriasis?

There are several different types but the usual form appears as silvery scaly patches over the elbows and knees. Other area of the skin that can be affected includes the scalp and nail bed. Psoriasis can occur on the genital skin as part of a generalised disease but in some people, it affects only the genital area.

What happens with this condition?

Skin cells are constantly being renewed and skin cells move up to the surface layers of the skin over a period of about 30 days. In psoriasis, this renewal is accelerated and only takes about 7 days. This leads to the skin being shed in large crusts or scales. Because the problem is associated with inflammation, the skin will look red.

What causes it?

The cause of psoriasis is unknown. However, it is known that it can be triggered by some common infections in people who have a particular genetic predisposition. It can run in families but there is not always a family history. Stress can make the problem worse.

Psoriasis is NOT contagious. It is not related to hormonal changes, diet or any type of allergy. Genital psoriasis is not due to any sexually transmitted infection and is not contagious to sexual partners. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.

What does it feel like?

There may be no discomfort. Some itching may occur and at times this can be severe especially if the area gets infected with yeast (thrush) or bacteria. Splits or cracks in the skin can be painful and bleed.

What does it look like?

When psoriasis occurs on the skin it appears as dry patches with silvery scales. However, on vulvar skin (and in body folds elsewhere – the armpits, under the breasts, the groin), the surfaces are in a moist environment and so the dry scaling is not usually seen as often. Vulval psoriasis appears as moist, salmon-pink patches which usually have a well-defined edge. It most commonly affects the outer labia and can spread to the groin folds and up the mons pubis, the buttocks are a common site.

How is it diagnosed?

Health care providers who are familiar with this condition will make the diagnosis by recognizing the typical appearance. If you have changes on the rest of the skin, this will often help to confirm the diagnosis. If it is isolated to the genital area a skin biopsy under local anaesthetic may be required to differentiate it from other skin conditions.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be controlled with treatment. It may completely disappear but can recur and you may need to treat it from time to time.

Local care is important. It is vital to avoid irritants eg; soaps, perfumes, sprays. Moisturising ointments (emollients) such as vaseline or a barrier cream can be helpful. Wear loose, cotton clothing as this will help to reduce friction to the area. Avoid scratching or irritating the area as this will make psoriasis flare-up.

Steroid creams or ointments are very useful in treating psoriasis in the genital area. If the skin is splitting, it is common to find some superficial infection on the skin and so a combination treatment of a steroid together with an anti-candida (anti-thrush) or antibiotic component may be prescribed. Treating infection can help because infection makes psoriasis worse. Many of the treatments used to treat psoriasis elsewhere on the skin (coal tar, vitamin D creams, Dithranol) are far too harsh to use on genital skin and can make things much worse.

Occasionally oral tablet treatments are used for severe psoriasis but these are rarely necessary for genital disease.