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Vaginal sores can be described as itchy and painful lesions that develop on the female genitalia. These blisters usually appear on the labia minora, labia majora or the vaginal opening. Though rare, in some instances vaginal sores can also be seen in the pubic area. These lesions are broadly classified into two categories – sores that are associated with a sexually transmitted disease and nonsexual sores. It is important to have any vaginal sores checked by a doctor immediately, as they could be an indication of an underlying problem that requires treatment. Unfortunately, many women do not seek medical care, mainly because they are embarrassed about the sores.

Causes

Contrary to what many people believe, any woman can develop vaginal sores, whether she is sexually active or not. There are several different factors that could lead to the formation of blisters in the vaginal area. Some of the most common causes of vaginal sores include:

• Atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis
• Clogged pores
• Hormonal imbalance
• Ingrown hair
• Sexually transmitted diseases and infections like Genital warts, Syphilis, Herpes, Chancroid, Chlamydia, HIV and Gonorrhea
• Skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, vitiligo and lichen sclerosis
• Trauma from injuries or forceful intercourse
• Yeast infections

Some of the causes of vaginal sores are more serious than the others and need to be treated by a doctor without any delay.

Symptoms

The appearance of sores in the vaginal area is bound to cause a lot of irritation in most women. In some cases though, vaginal sores may not cause any symptoms at all. Some of the signs and symptoms that may be experienced because of these blisters include:

• Burning sensation while passing urine
• Painful intercourse
• Severe itching
• Vaginal discharge, which may include pus or blood

Make sure that you visit an obstetric/ gynecologist or your family doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above. Seek immediate medical attention in case you are suffering from vaginal sores as well as :

• Severe pain in the pelvic region
• Chills
• High fever
• Vaginal bleeding
• Increased heart rate

Do inform your doctor about any changes in the genital lesions too.

Treatment

Many women resort to self-diagnosis and treatment, mainly because they are too embarrassed to seek professional advice. You could use a few home remedies to speed up the recovery process and relieve the symptoms. Given below are some of the most effective home remedies for vaginal sores:

• Vinegar: Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and add a cupful of vinegar to it. Soak your body in the bathtub for a while, before patting yourself dry. Repeat this exercise twice a day
• Baking Soda: Make a paste with some baking soda and some plain water. Apply the paste on to the sores and leave it on till it dries. Rinse the paste off with some water and pat the area dry
• Carrot Juice: Drink a glass of homemade carrot juice (unsweetened) twice each day, as it detoxifies your body and speeds up the recovery
• Garlic Oil: Apply some warm garlic oil directly on to the sores, to relieve the itching. You could prepare this oil at home, by soaking two cloves of crushed garlic in 100 ml of olive oil overnight.
• Sitz Bath: Use a sitz bath every day, to relieve the itching and to keep the blisters from crusting over.

However, it is important to consult a doctor and determine the cause of the sores before trying to treat them. Without proper medical treatment, the sores may keep recurring for as long as the infection lasts.

In case you are sexually active, you and your partner should undergo treatment at the same time, to prevent the infection from being passed back and forth.

References

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003222.htm