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Care of genitalia
Prepared by :
SIG, Dermatology Nursing
IADVL
Avoid irritants
• Excessive washing and use of bathing products
irritate the skin and lead to dryness and poor skin
integrity.
• Perfumed products including some scented oils,
laundry detergents, perfumed toilet paper,
disinfectants and genital deodorants should be
avoided.
• Soaps, creams (moisturising/medicated), oils (tea
tree/bath oils) and artificial lubricants can irritate
and worsen symptoms.
• Excessive moisture may also cause irritation and
patients should be encouraged to keep the
genital skin dry
Reduce trauma
• friction and rubbing damage the skin which
can cause abrasions and microabrasions.
• Genital area should be pat dry and avoid
rubbing with a towel or a washcloth.
• Tight clothing causing friction should be
avoided and trauma caused by shaving and
waxing should also be avoided
Washing
• Genital washing with lukewarm/cool water oncea-day is adequate.
• Patients with irritated or inflamed skin should be
advised to use a dilute saline solution (1tsp salt/L
water). Pat skin dry rather than rub with towels
or washcloths
• Soaps with an alkaline pH disturb the delicate
ecological balance and thus the pH of the vagina
and the perineum. It removes the protective acid
mantle thus increasing the risk of local infection
and irritation
C0NT…….
• Talcum powder, antiperspirants, deodorants
and antiseptics used for better perineal
hygiene can/may block the sweat glands and
may result in contact sensitization and irritant
action and strip the vulva and perineum off its
moisture, causing extreme dryness.