Geriatric Vulvar Dermatology

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to provide the diagnosis and management of inflammatory vulvar dermatoses in the geriatric population. The increasing geriatric population in the USA necessitates informing a broad base of healthcare providers on this topic. In the elderly, there are increasing case reports of contact dermatitis due to sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, and over the counter medications. Superimposed vulvovaginal candidiasis and lichen simplex chronicus can occur simultaneously with the primary vulvar disease. The limited research specific to geriatric populations confirms the current state of vulvar dermatosis underdiagnosis. In order to close the gaps in diagnosis and treatment of vulvar dermatoses, providers should carefully review the patient’s medical history and complete a physical examination of the genitoanal area for asymptomatic and symptomatic elderly women. Prompt, consistent treatment can vastly improve the patient’s quality of life and is critical to preventing the advancement of lesions to squamous cell carcinoma in conditions that incur this increased risk such as lichen sclerosus and lichen planus.