Pruritus Pudendi

Pruritus  Pudendi,  or itching  about the  genital parts, is common in women, and arises from a variety of causes  - eczema, intertrigo, the presence of vegetable fungi, ovarian and uterine irritation, haemorrhoids, and varicosity of veins of the genital parts. In those cases in which there appears no structural change, relief is to be obtained by the locally applied anodynes, care being taken to treat any uterine or ovarian disease appropriately.

For the relief of the itching the following means may be used. The cure of the complaint in any of its above forms can only be accomplished by the administration of the properly indicated homoeopathic remedy, hints of which will be found at the close of this article. In many cases, relief will be demanded for the excessive itching.

Peppermint water is one of our best local applications in the above-mentioned forms of pruritus. Patients can easily make their own lotion, as required for use, by put­ting a teaspoonful of borax into a pint bottle of hot water, and adding to it five drops of oleum menthae peperitae, and shaking well; the parts affected to be freely bathed with a soft sponge.


If cracks, or sores, or eczema, or rawness be present this lotion will be too severe. Olive oil, with five grains of iodoform to the ounce, is better.
A sitz both of cold water is often beneficial.

Galvanism, as a remedy, in pruritus vulvae et ani, is a valuable adjuvant. A current from six elements with the anode applied to the vulva and the cathode to the affected portions of the integument. The sittings should last about ten minutes.