Intimate hygiene in patients with genital itching and dryness
Chernova N.I., Zadorozhnaya I.S., Proskurina M.I.
The article presents the data which are available in the modern literature on the possibilities for patients with itching and dryness of the vulva to use cleansers. Washing the skin without special products is not effective enough as most biological contaminants are poorly soluble in water. The type, concentration, combination of surfactant with other components, its washability and pH can significantly affect the epidermal barrier and lead to transdermal water loss, dryness, skin irritation in healthy people and worsening of symptoms in patients with skin problems. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand these differences in order to determine the most appropriate cleanser for each situation. There are two most common types of cleansers: natural soaps and synthetic detergents (syndets). According to scientific studies, syndets can effectively maintain the natural structure, function and integrity of the skin, whereas natural soaps tend to negatively affect the skin and cause an impairment of the protective epidermal barrier, dissolution of lipids and pH changes, which can lead to dryness, itching and imbalance of microbial composition. The article covers the advantages and disadvantages of soap-based products and synthetic cleansers.
Conclusion: In order to preserve the health of the vulva and eliminate and/or reduce existing complaints and symptoms in patients with pathological conditions, it is important to use specialized detergents that are soft in nature, highly effective, and have minimal effect on the stratum corneum. The products of Ginocomfort® line have such properties and are able to restore the hydro-lipid layer of the epidermis, reduce itching, dryness and inflammation; they can moisturize, saturate and retain fatty components.
Authors’ contributions: Chernova N.I. – developing the concept and design of the study; editing; Chernova N.I., Zadorozhnaya I.S., Proskurina M.I. – preparing the material, writing the text.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Chernova N.I., Zadorozhnaya I.S., Proskurina M.I.
Intimate hygiene in patients with genital itching and dryness.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (12): 190-196 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.285
Keywords
References
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Received 08.12.2023
Accepted 15.12.2023
About the Authors
Nadezhda I. Chernova, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Anogenital Dermatosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, +7(916)692-83-35, d.chernova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4111-6670, 127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20.Irina S. Zadorozhnaya, PhD, Junior Researcher of the Department of Anogenital Dermatosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, d.zadorozhnayais@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7291-3149, 127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20.
Maria I. Proskurina, dermatovenereologist, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, mariapro425@gmail.com,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9571-1512, 127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya
Corresponding author: Nadezhda I. Chernova, d.chernova@mail.ru