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Acute vulvar ulcer: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Acute ulcer of the vulva (synonym: acute ulcer of Lipshutz).
The causes and pathogenesis of acute ulcer of the vulva are not established. It is assumed that this disease is caused by Bacillus crasus, Epstein-Barr virus.
Symptoms of acute vulvar ulcer. Girls and young women are more often affected. Single or, more often, multiple very painful ulcers occur mainly on the inner surface of the labia, sharply demarcated from healthy skin, covered with purulent or necrotic plaque. The rash is accompanied by general symptoms (malaise, fever, chills, joint pain, etc.). Acute vulvar ulcer is often combined with aphthous stomatitis, erythema nodosum. Peripheral lymph nodes usually do not enlarge. The course of the disease is acute, but can be chronic, with relapses.
Differential diagnosis. The disease should be distinguished from syphilitic chancre, soft chancre, trichomonas and gonorrheal ulcers, aphthae.
Treatment of acute ulcer of the vulva. Bed rest is necessary. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, vitamin therapy, antihistamines are recommended. In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids are prescribed. Locally, rinsing with disinfectant solutions, antibiotics, corticosteroid ointments and creams are prescribed.
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