Genital herpes
The causative agent of genital herpes is the herpes simplex virus (HSV), usually of type II. This disease refers to sexually transmitted infections. HSV type I, usually causing a "cold" on the lips, can also lead to genital symptoms after oral sex.
• Symptoms
The severity of the disease can range from mild to extremely severe. 2-7 days after infection, a small area of the skin of the external genitalia causes itching irritation. Over the next 12 hours, small reddish spots appear on this confined outbreak, which quickly turn into small bubbles. The latter will soon be opened with the formation of many painful sores that can be covered with scabs. With further development of the disease, the inguinal lymph nodes increase. The general condition of the patient suffers from influenza-like symptoms. Manifestations of the first attack of infection (primary herpes) can last up to three weeks.
• Diagnostics
The appearance of the rashes is quite typical, but to confirm the diagnosis it is necessary to take a swab of the virus to be separated. A blood test can indicate the fact of contact with the infection, but does not allow to determine whether the herpes is the cause of this exacerbation.
• Forecast
One-third of patients forget about the disease after the first attack; the other third occasionally has slight exacerbations; the rest relapses are observed at least once a year, although they flow more easily than the first attack, and are usually resolved within a week. With the primary attack of herpetic infection, the duration of cutaneous manifestations helps to reduce antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir or famciclovir. These funds, however, will not be able to limit the duration of the relapse, if the treatment is started after the appearance of the elements on the skin. For relief of painful sensations, anesthetics are recommended, for example, paracetamol or topical application of an anesthetic gel. In severe disease with severe pain during urination, a warm bath helps relieve suffering in women. Antibiotics in such cases are powerless. If relapses occur more than five times a year, it is advisable to carry out suppressive therapy, which provides for the appointment of antiviral drugs for a period of at least six months. In especially severe cases, suppressive therapy can last for years. A person with genital herpes is the source of infection for life, therefore, during sexual intercourse should use condoms, especially if the partner has not yet met with the infection. The primary attack of herpes at the end of pregnancy can cause serious harm to the baby, so delivery in such cases is performed by caesarean section. Recurrent attacks or primary herpes in early pregnancy do not pose a high-risk complication for the child. Pain and irritation in the external genital area are not always associated with sexually transmitted infections. Inflammation can develop due to a violation of the balance of microorganisms of normal microflora, an allergic reaction or a common skin lesion, for example eczema.
Many people turn to the doctor, fearing that they have contracted genital herpes, although in reality the skin lesion in the external genital area can be explained by completely different reasons. These include, in particular:
• Genital candidiasis (thrush)
This fungal infection is accompanied by irritation, redness and itching of the skin in the vulva, foreskin and glans penis, as well as in the perianal region (around the anus). In women, often there are vaginal discharge and the formation of small cracks on the skin, especially when rubbing or combing.
In men, redness and soreness in the foreskin and glans penis are noted, the formation of ulcers is not characteristic. Unlike genital herpes, an inflammatory rash seizes larger areas of the skin; fever and enlarged lymph nodes are not observed. To confirm the diagnosis, swabs can be taken for laboratory testing, although skin manifestations are usually quite typical for identifying candidiasis and prescribing antifungal agents. Use of fragrant soap or foam for a bath can worsen symptoms.
• Sensitivity to external influences
Skin irritation of the area of the external genitalia can provoke soap, shower gel or bath foam, as well as various creams and lotions. In such cases, in order to cope with the problem, it may be sufficient to abandon these remedies and wash the affected skin with clean water followed by the application of a water-based softening cream. Generalized skin diseases can affect the skin of any part of the body, including the genital area. However, the manifestations on the skin of the external genitalia can significantly differ from the typical clinical picture of the disease. There is also a group of special skin conditions (these include, for example, sclerosing ears), which most often appear in the area of the external genitalia. Such diseases require the appointment of a specific treatment, in particular - steroid ointments. Thus, if skin lesions in the external genital area are not cured after using simple remedies, you should seek the help of a general practitioner who will refer you to a specialist if necessary. All kinds of abnormal growths on the skin of the external genital organs may appear as a result of a viral infection or parasitic infestation. In most cases, the characteristic type of rashes makes it possible to identify the cause of the disease, and the treatment usually does not cause difficulties.
Genital warts
Genital warts, or genital warts, result from infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It should be noted that sexually transmitted viruses (mainly types 6, 8 and 11) differ from those that lead to the appearance of warts on other parts of the human body. Other types of viruses transmitted during sexual intercourse (in particular types 16 and 18) are considered responsible for the development of cervical cancer, although condylomas are generally not present.
• Symptoms
Up to 90% of all infected human papillomaviruses have no clinical manifestations, so the asymptomatic carriage of the virus and its transmission to sexual partners can last many months and even years. If symptoms appear, it occurs 6-9 months after infection.
• Appearance
Genital warts genital area in appearance does not differ from warts of any other localization. Sprouting can be both coarse and hard to the touch, and soft and loose; Spillage elements can be protruding above the surface of the skin (exophytic) or not protruding (flat). Typically, warts do not exceed a few millimeters in diameter, but sometimes there are formations reaching a size of 1 cm or more. They can be found in any area of the skin of the anogenital area, and their number can vary from 1-2 to 20 or more elements. The most frequent localization of warts is the trunk of the penis, the vulva and the area around the anus. Less often they appear on the mucous membrane of the vagina, the cervix in women and the urethra in men. Most warts do not cause their owner any anxiety, do not cause itching, but is detected, rather, by chance. Very extensive sprouting can indicate a serious impairment of the immune system, such as in HIV infection; a similar pattern can also be observed in pregnancy.
• Diagnostics
Specific tests for the identification of viruses do not exist, the diagnosis is based on assessing the appearance of the rashes. Gynecologists quite often meet with all sorts of warty growths with regular screening examinations of the cervix in women. If the human papilloma virus infection has already occurred, it is almost impossible to get rid of it. Although modern medicine makes it possible to eliminate any cutaneous manifestations, there are currently no ways to destroy the virus itself.
Recurrence
Genital warts after removal can appear again, and the carrier of the virus will be a source of infection for a partner with unprotected sex for many months and years. If existing warts are not removed, they can persist for months and years, sometimes more and more. Currently, many methods for the treatment of genital warts are known, among which are the local application of podophylline (podophyllotoxin) and cryodestruction (freezing) with liquid nitrogen. These procedures are usually carried out in specialized clinics, but sometimes they can be performed by the patient independently. In more serious cases, voluminous warts are burned with the help of an electric current (electrocautery) or a laser under local anesthesia. Since infection with the human papillomavirus occurs predominantly through sexual contact, it is recommended that the control study be passed to both partners. As already mentioned, genital warts and cervical cancer cause different types of HPV, so a woman after removal of genital warts does not need to undergo additional cervical screening. The disease, known as a molluscum contagiosum, is caused by a virus that will be transmitted with close (not necessarily sexual) contact. Nevertheless, the condition is more common in sexual partners and is characterized by the appearance of specific rashes on the skin of the genital area.
• Symptoms
Vysypnye elements in the form of small (3-10 mm), smooth, slightly shiny knots appear in the anogenital area and on the adjacent skin. They do not cause pain or discomfort, they can spread to vast areas, although sometimes the rash is limited to just a few elements. When carefully examined with a magnifying glass, you can see that the nodules have a small depression in the center. In the absence of treatment, the rash can persist for many weeks and months.
• Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosis is based on the characteristic type of rashes. For treatment, cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen or moxibustion is used, as in the case of warts. A method for killing mollusc nodules by applying phenol is also known. To pass the examination recommend to both sexual partners. Scabies mite (itch itch) penetrates into the body in close contact with a sick person. Especially predisposed to infection are children. Although usually the disease affects the skin of the hands, hands and trunk, it is sometimes possible to have small (2-5 mm), intensely itching nodules and in the region of the external genitalia. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out on the basis of the detection of an itch mite, its eggs or excrement in samples of scrapes taken from the surface of the node. Although the scabies themselves can be quickly destroyed with an insecticide lotion, such as malathion, the resolution of the itch may take more than a month, during which antihistamines help alleviate the symptoms. Pubic lice are transmitted through sexual contact. These are small (2 mm) gray-brown insects, which slowly move along the skin among the pubic hair.
Symptoms of infection
• Folliculitis
Folliculitis is characterized by the appearance of small inflammatory foci at the base of the hair. This phenomenon often develops in the area of pubic hair, with the possible involvement of a large number of hair follicles. On the skin of the pubis reddish tubercles are formed, centered in hair; they can slightly itch and cause unpleasant sensations. Treatment involves the use of soft antiseptic creams or daily baths with an antiseptic.