Cracks in the genitals are calleda violation of the integrity of the skin of the mucous membrane, caused by various internal or external factors and accompanied by various unpleasant sensations when touching and urinating. The location of the cracks is usually radial. The main characteristic symptoms are: painful sensations, burning sensation, itching and hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels). Other manifestations are also possible. Cracks on the labia majora and minora are not a separate disease, but a painful condition indicating the presence of some external aggressors or disorders in the functioning of the body. With timely treatment and immediate treatment, the beneficial effect of therapy, as a rule, becomes noticeable quite quickly. With a long-term existence, if the patient does not want to go to the doctor, the edges of the cracks may be subject to callus, and then it will be more difficult to treat them.
Types of microcracks of the labia
Microcracks of the mucous membranes of the labiaare conventionally divided into acute and chronic. Acute microcracks are relatively recent injuries that cause intense pain of a uniform nature in a small area (mainly when touched). Chronic microcracks are old, calloused microcracks with compacted or thickened edges that provoke prolonged pain even without touching, occurring mainly in a sitting position. Plus, such neoplasms look very unattractive.
Causes of cracks in the labia
Cracks in the mucous membrane of the labia canmay arise due to the impact of various external or internal factors. External factors include: mechanical damage, violation of personal hygiene rules and the use of poor-quality underwear. Internal factors that affect the formation of microcracks on the mucous membranes are taking medications and various diseases. External factors As mentioned above, sometimes the cause of painful cracks on the labia are aggressive external influences. Accordingly, if they are eliminated, the problem is quickly resolved without medical assistance. For example:
- Microcracks due to violation of basic hygiene standards
Various contaminants:intense sweating, profuse vaginal discharge and drops of urine - can cause microcracks on the labia. In this case, a representative of the fair sex can cope with them with careful body care. Excessive passion for "bath" procedures can lead to the same result as insufficient self-care. In this case, this means, first of all, excessive passion for cosmetics: soap, shower gels, bath foam or salt, aromatic wet wipes, powder, deodorants, etc. Accordingly, to eliminate cracks in the mucous membranes, it may be enough to simply refuse to use cosmetics and household chemicals.
- Microcracks due to the use of synthetic underwear
In some cases, cracks in the large genitalslips can be provoked by wearing low-quality underwear (nylon, chemically treated, etc.). Inflammation occurs due to impaired skin respiration. Microcracks are a consequence of this inflammation. Thus, giving up synthetic materials in favor of high-quality natural unpainted fabrics will help quickly get rid of the problem. Nowadays, in specialized stores you can find a lot of high-quality and beautiful underwear that will not be inferior in appearance to synthetic panties. But in the future, the fan of natural things will definitely not have any health problems.
- Mechanical damage
Sometimes microcracks on the external genitaliaappear after sex. The reason for this may be an allergic reaction to latex, any lubricants, etc. Alternating anal and vaginal sex during one sexual act can also provoke the formation of cracks. The reason for this is microorganisms that have penetrated from the intestines. Another example of mechanical damage is ruptures during childbirth. To prevent the formation of cracks on the external genitalia after childbirth, women are recommended to start doing a perineal massage as early as the ninth month of pregnancy. It allows you to slightly stretch and strengthen the skin and muscles, thereby preventing mechanical damage. But remember that this must be agreed upon with your doctor in advance. Internal factors Cracks in the genitals that have arisen as a result of internal factors require medical intervention and longer treatment. In order to get rid of such microtraumas, it is necessary to diagnose and eliminate the main cause of their appearance: stop taking "harmful" medications, stop the inflammatory process or cure the disease.
- Cracks resulting from the use of medicines
Cracks in the mucous membrane of the labia sometimesappear as a result of oral medications, the use of topical medications. Ointments and gels for external use can cause an acute allergic reaction and provoke the formation of microcracks. The ingestion of certain hormonal and antibacterial drugs, drugs for the treatment of human papillomavirus, as well as other medications or plant extracts (for example, the active use of tea tree oil) - all this can cause cracks on the labia. Stopping or changing medications can help get rid of painful cracks on a woman's genitals.
- Cracks in the genitals, caused by diseases
Hormonal disorders are considered the most commonthe cause of cracks in the mucous membrane of the genitals. For example, estrogen deficiency (often observed during menopause) provokes excessive dryness of the skin, which results in microtrauma. The cause of microcracks on the labia may be lichen. It is localized on various parts of the body, but most often affects the arms, legs and groin. The formation of microcracks on the skin and mucous membranes is one of the characteristic symptoms of this disease. The cause of microcracks on the labia may be a disease of the endocrine system. For example, one of the symptoms of diabetes is unbearable itching in the genital area, which, in turn, contributes to the appearance of microcracks. Another cause of microcracks on the labia may be thrush. Candidiasis is a disease that develops against the background of the active life of a fungus that mainly affects the mucous membranes of the external genitalia. Other common causes of this phenomenon include: other fungal and infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency, helminthic infestation, eczema, allergies, etc.
- Physiology
Natural ones are also worth mentioning separately.physiological processes that provoke cracks in the genitals of a lady. For example, the growth of the number of Candida fungi, which contribute to the violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes, is activated during hormonal changes: during pregnancy or simply during menstruation. And therefore, it is during this period that cracks in the labia may appear.
Diagnosis of the disease: what caused the cracks
Diagnostics of microcracks in mucous membranesincludes an external examination of the patient, listening to complaints to form an idea of the disease and various laboratory tests: vaginal culture, examination for urogenital infections, blood test (general blood test, as well as analysis for HIV, hepatitis, blood sugar levels), examination of feces for helminth eggs, etc.
Drug treatment of the disease
Drug treatment of microcracks is aimed atto relieve symptoms and eliminate the underlying pathology. As a rule, conservative treatment is sufficient. In complex cases, surgery may be prescribed (this may be a minimally invasive surgery, without anesthesia and hospital stay, or a classic surgery under general anesthesia).
Treatment of a crack on the genitals with folk remedies
Without prior medical consultationgetting rid of cracks at home can be extremely difficult. Obviously, without eliminating the underlying cause of the disease, treating its symptoms is ineffective, and the risk of relapse is extremely high. However, even before visiting a specialist, you can take some measures to relieve pain. For example, a softening ointment, antiseptic and pain reliever (such drugs can be bought at any city pharmacy) will help reduce the pain associated with the formation of cracks on the labia. Sitz warm baths (including medicinal baths with chamomile, string, etc.) also have a good therapeutic effect. Conservative treatment of fresh cracks includes:
- General strengthening of immunity to enhance the protective forces of the body
- Compliance with hygiene standards
- Elimination of unpleasant, sharp odor
- Lubrication of affected areas with Bormenthol Ointment
- Medical compresses, lapping and lotions on the basis of novocaine, as well as broths of chamomile and calendula.
Calendula tincture is the most popular"folk" remedy for microcracks in the mucous membranes. Calendula infusion recipe To prepare calendula tincture, you will need one teaspoon of dried flowers or calendula extract and 70 milliliters of boiled water. Pour boiling water over the herbal mixture and evaporate over low heat until the volume is reduced by half. Then strain and cool the solution. Lotions and rubbing of the affected areas of the skin are done once a day. A good therapeutic effect is also given by an infusion of dandelion and yarrow roots. Dandelion infusion recipe Dried and crushed dandelion root (one teaspoon) is mixed with a decoction of yarrow (proportions: one teaspoon of yarrow per glass of boiling water). The resulting mixture is taken twice a day half an hour before meals. Do not forget to check in advance for allergies to the product. In order to prevent infection of microcracks, experts recommend treating the affected areas with a 2% chlorhexidine solution. Some time after the treatment, you can lubricate the cracks with a fatty hypoallergenic cream. A therapeutic diet can be appropriate for any disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It consists, first of all, in saturating the body with vitamins and microelements necessary to increase the body's defenses. Nutrition should be rational and balanced. It is important to remember that at an advanced stage of the disease, no folk remedy will help. If the pain does not go away for several days or, moreover, increases daily, you must urgently seek help from a specialist. The doctor will relieve pain with an anesthetic novocaine blockade and prescribe appropriate, effective treatment. In severe cases, when treatment with conservative methods is impossible, surgery may be prescribed: under anesthesia, the doctor will excise the cracks and stitch them up. And remember that you should not take the process "to the extreme"! After all, there is a big difference between a little inflammation and scars.