Understand the difference between vulvar leukoplakia and other diseases

Do you know the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia? Have you ever fallen into the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia? Understanding the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia will help us avoid misunderstandings and cause greater psychological distress. So let us introduce to you the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia and which diseases are likely to be confused with vulvar leukoplakia.

To understand the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia, we first need to know what vulvar leukoplakia is: vulvar leukoplakia often occurs in middle-aged or perimenopausal women, and the lesions often involve the labia minora, the inner half of the labia majora, the clitoris, the clitoral hood and the perineum, but not the vaginal wall, the vaginal vestibule and around the anus. At the onset of the disease, the vulva is first itchy, then locally red and swollen, with a small amount of debris on the surface, and the color gradually turns white, but the atrophy is not obvious. In the late stage of the disease, the skin is pearly white and the surface is parchment-like. Some labia majora and minora atrophy, narrowing the vaginal opening and causing sexual intercourse difficulties. The disease often occurs bilaterally and symmetrically.

Now that we know the symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia, let’s take a look at the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia.

1. Lichen planus: The lesions are formed by the fusion of white or light pink flat papules. In addition to the vulva, other parts of the body can also occur. Those that occur in the vulva often involve the labia minora, clitoral hood and vaginal vestibule area. The bilateral sides often occur asymmetrically, and the whitened area is irregular in shape, and the border is sometimes unclear. This is the disease that is most likely to lead to misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia.

2. Neurodermatitis: This disease can occur in the neck, limbs, etc. in addition to the genitals, and the lesions are the same. If it occurs in the genitals, the lesions can reach the outside of the labia majora, the mons pubis, and around the anus. Patients often feel itchy in the pubic hair. The lesions are mostly grayish white, with hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the epidermis. Over time, they become lichenoid, with severe itching, and sometimes small dandruff can be seen on the surface. It often occurs asymmetrically on both sides.

3. Diabetic vulvitis: The lesions of diabetic vulvitis involve the entire vulva and around the anus. The texture is pink, and sometimes the surface is covered with fine white curd-like substances. If the curd-like substances are gently scraped off with an angle plate and smeared, and 1 drop of 10% potassium hydroxide is added, mold hyphae and spores can often be seen under the microscope. Because the lesions are extremely itchy, scars and ulcers can often be seen on the surface. Patients often have a history of diabetes, and blood and urine tests can confirm diabetes. The local changes in the late stage of the lesion are the same as those of chronic dermatitis.

4. Chronic dermatitis: Before chronic dermatitis occurs, there is often an acute inflammatory process, and the vulva feels itchy, painful, and red and swollen, and then it turns into a chronic condition. There may also be no acute inflammatory process, and it may occur unconsciously. This disease is more common in middle-aged and elderly women, and the lesions often involve the labia minora, the inner half of the labia majora, the clitoris, and the clitoral hood. The color loss is not very serious, the surface skin is often grayish white or yellowish white, the epidermis is thickened, and the atrophy is not serious. It often occurs symmetrically on both sides. If not treated, the skin will gradually become thickened and rough, and will become lichenoid over time. This disease is also often a misunderstanding that leads us to vulvar leukoplakia.

5. Lichen sclerosus (abbreviated as lichen sclerosus): It can occur at any age and can also be seen in young girls. This disease is prone to occur in the vulva, vaginal vestibule area and around the anus, so sometimes the white area looks like an "8" or hourglass shape, and there are often dilated capillaries and scattered purpura on the surface. The lesions are light pink at the beginning, and then gradually turn white, accompanied by itching. As the disease progresses, the surface skin atrophies and becomes thinner. In severe cases, the labia minora on both sides are partially adhered, making the vaginal opening narrow and even causing urination and sexual intercourse difficulties. This disease can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the neck, trunk and forearms.

6. Vitiligo: It can occur anywhere on the body. If it only occurs on the vulva, it is easily confused with vulvar leukoplakia. The lesions are white, with irregular borders, and sometimes occur scattered and beyond the boundaries of the vulva. They occur asymmetrically on both sides, with no thickening or shrinkage of the epidermis, and normal tissue elasticity. The skin around the whitened area is slightly darker in pigment, and the pubic hair growing on the whitened skin is also white. Vitiligo usually has no symptoms. If there is a secondary infection, itching will occur, and the color will change from white to pink. After sectioning, under the microscope, except for the complete disappearance of the basal layer pigment, the rest of the skin is exactly the same as normal skin, and there is no abnormality.

The misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia are actually some diseases with similar symptoms to vulvar leukoplakia. Therefore, if you want to get rid of the misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia, you must understand the symptoms of various diseases and avoid misdiagnosis due to similar symptoms, which will affect treatment and cause psychological pressure on patients. If you want to pay attention to more misunderstandings about vulvar leukoplakia, please consult our online experts, who will give you more suggestions and opinions.

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