Ask An Expert: What Could Cause Rashes On The Lips Of The Vulva? Used Antibiotics To No Avail.

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Q: My 20-year-old daughter has been experiencing irregular and painful menstruation for over a year. She called my attention to rashes on the lips of her vulva a couple of months back and after taking the prescribed antibiotics, the statusquo is still the same. What are the likely causes and what could be done?

Dr. Alex Kaoranu Molukwu (OB/GYN) says:

There’s no doubt that you and your daughter are very close and that is how it should be.

It’s important to appreciate the fact that at 20 years, your daughter still has immature hormone system. Her periods can therefore be irregular.

That she has rashes on the lips of her vulva is gynaecologically significant. These rashes will need to be thoroughly investigated. Is she sexually exposed? The results of her tests may warrant a contact tracing. It is hoped that a specialist is seeing your daughter. It is also hoped that the antibiotics she took are not fake and were prescribed following the results of tests carried out. What can you say about her pants and personal hygiene? Some people react to fabrics of underwears by developing rashes which may simply disappear spontaneously after the change of fabric and improved personal hygiene.

In addition, what kind of sanitary pads or tampon does your daughter use? Vulval rashes can develop following retained heat, bubble bath, douches, perfume depilatory creams, tight clothing, overzealous cleansing, scrubbing and shaving.

Kindly avoid self medication, preconceived and misdiagnosis.