Can moxibustion treat vulvar pruritus?

Moxibustion can be used as an auxiliary method to relieve vulvar itching, but not all vulvar itching is suitable for moxibustion treatment. The specific treatment should be based on the cause. Common causes of vulvar itching include infectious diseases, allergic reactions, endocrine disorders, skin diseases, etc. Treatment requires a comprehensive approach to the cause.

1 Common causes of vulvar itching

The causes of vulvar itching are varied and may involve the following aspects:

Infectious diseases: such as fungal infection candidiasis, bacterial infection or viral infection such as genital herpes. These infections can irritate the local skin, causing itching and even accompanied by redness, swelling, abnormal secretions and other symptoms.

Allergic irritation: Using unsuitable hygiene products, cosmetics or lotions may cause contact dermatitis, resulting in itching.

Skin diseases: Chronic skin problems such as vulvar eczema and lichen planus may also present itching as the main symptom.

Endocrine disorders: During pregnancy, menopause, or before and after menstruation, fluctuations in estrogen levels may cause vulvar dryness and itching.

Others: Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress or long-term poor hygiene habits may also cause itching problems.

2 The role of moxibustion in treatment

Moxibustion is a commonly used external treatment method in traditional Chinese medicine. It has a certain auxiliary effect on vulvar pruritus by warming the meridians, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and improving microcirculation, especially for itching caused by cold and dampness stagnation or endocrine disorders.

Scope of application: Moxibustion is suitable for patients with chronic, non-infectious itching, such as women with damp-cold constitution or menopausal women.

Commonly used acupoints: You can choose Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao, Qihai, etc. The method is to moxibustion for about 20 minutes each time, and persist for 2-3 weeks for obvious results.

Safety reminder: Be careful to avoid burns when performing moxibustion. It is not suitable for people with local skin redness and swelling, allergies, or confirmed infectious diseases such as candidiasis.

3 Comprehensive treatment recommendations

Drug treatment: For infectious itching, you can choose antifungal drugs such as fluconazole suppositories, antibacterial ointments such as erythromycin zinc oxide ointment or antiviral drugs such as acyclovir ointment.

Cleaning and care: Change your underwear frequently and choose loose and breathable cotton underwear; avoid using irritating lotions and only use warm water to clean the vulva.

Diet adjustment: Reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods, eat more light foods rich in vitamins and probiotics to improve the body's immunity.

The treatment of vulvar itching requires a clear cause, and relying solely on moxibustion may have limited effect. It is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible when necessary, adopt a targeted treatment plan, and combine scientific nursing and auxiliary therapy to achieve better improvement results.