DIAGNOSTIC DIFFICULTIES AND CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN VULVAR DERMATOSES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Daria Mrozik-Gałecka; Paulina Madura; Wiktoria Zawiślak; Konrad Gawin; Anita Ignasiak; Michał Cisowski; Maria Dąbrowska; Kacper Rychlica; Jolanta Cholewińska-Rychlica

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5297

Authors

Daria Mrozik-Gałecka Independent Public Healthcare Institution MSWiA in Łódź, ul. Północna 42, 91-425 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2853-5560
Paulina Madura Independent Public Healthcare Institution MSWiA in Łódź, ul. Północna 42, 91-425 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2141-5279
Wiktoria Zawiślak Dr. Karol Jonscher Municipal Medical Center, 14 Milionowa Street, 93-113 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2028-8885
Konrad Gawin Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2242-4356
Anita Ignasiak Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2917-0263
Michał Cisowski Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3977-8244
Maria Dąbrowska J. Struś Multispecialist Municipal Hospital in Poznań, ul. Szwajcarska 3, 61-285 Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6115-0701
Kacper Rychlica The Nicolaus Copernicus Provincial Multispecialty Center for Oncology and Traumatology in Łódź, ul. Pabianicka 62, 93-513 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6103-6234
Jolanta Cholewińska-Rychlica The Nicolaus Copernicus Provincial Multispecialty Center for Oncology and Traumatology in Łódź, ul. Pabianicka 62, 93-513 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8254-4994

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5297

Keywords:

Vulvar Dermatoses; Chronic Vulvar Disorders; Diagnosis And Treatment; Lichen Sclerosus; Contact Dermatitis; Vulvar Psoriasis

Abstract

Chronic vulvar dermatoses represent a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions that often present with overlapping and nonspecific clinical features, making accurate diagnosis and management challenging. Disorders such as vulvar psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen planus, and allergic contact dermatitis frequently manifest with pruritus, erythema, and lichenification, leading to delayed recognition and misdiagnosis. Histopathological examination remains an important diagnostic tool, particularly in atypical or treatment-resistant cases. Despite increasing interest in vulvar dermatoses, their etiology and pathophysiology remain incompletely understood. Evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are limited. While numerous studies have addressed psoriasis in general, data specifically focusing on anogenital involvement and its treatment remain limited. Emerging topical and systemic therapies offer new treatment possibilities; however, comparative studies evaluating their efficacy in vulvar diseases are lacking. Management should be individualized and multidisciplinary, with particular attention to symptom control, quality of life and sexual well-being. Further clinical research is essential to optimize the diagnostic strategies and therapeutic algorithms for vulvar dermatoses.

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