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Hello! I Have Health Anxiety And I Noticed A Whitish

Posted on Thu, 11 Mar 2021

Question: Hello! I have health anxiety and I noticed a whitish ridge of skin near the back opening of my vagina. I’ve attached an image with the area circled. I only noticed it because I was doing a skin check on myself. I was last at the gynecologist seven months ago. The area does not itch or bleed at all and it is not hard. Do you know what it may be? I’m terrified it could be cancer if the vulva...

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (38 minutes later)

And I also just wanted to add that the redder area you see was just irritation from my fingernails on the area

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be a fungal infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing to us.
I have seen the attached images. The whitish area that you are concerned about seems to be a minor fungal infection. This should go away with application of clotrimazole ointment. This does not seem to be related to vulvar cancer. Self monitor the area after applying ointment. In case it persists or worsens then consider consulting your gynecologist.
Hope this answer is helpful.
Any follow up queries are welcome.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor! So...the area in question is kind of a ridge-like area that almost feels like the regular skin of the vulva area. The whitish area cannot be scraped off at all...it just seems like a different color than the surrounding skin. Do you still think it could be fungal?

Also...I have absolutely no idea how long it has been there...I did have an episiotomy 22 years ago with the birth of my first son...could it possibly be scar
Tissue from that?

Thank you again!

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (48 minutes later)

I also wanted to add that the ridge like area lighter in color arms to run diagonally down from the back of my baginal opening in the direction of my anus...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not related to episiotomy scar.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Since the texture of the skin in the area is normal it is not something serious. A fungal infection that is persistent cannot be scraped off so easily. This can just be a depigmented area without any pathology.
This is not related to scar tissue from episiotomy as decoloration is not seen such cases.
You can also consult a dermatologist for a direct examination and further confirmation of diagnosis.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (14 hours later)

Thank you again doctor! I’m actually going to make an appointment with my gynecologist to also have it looked at in person.

I’m attaching one more picture which I took today...the area I had circled on the picture yeaterday I actually had a hard time locating today. The redness and bit of bleeding is definitely just from me prodding at the area. I did circle another area (which was also on the previous image)....is that anything to be concerned with?

Thank you again!

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (12 minutes later)

I’m not sure, but the area circled on the image from
Today may be the same area as that circled on the prior image....?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Same area as in prior image.

Detailed Answer:
I have seen the new image attached. This seems to be the same area with much lighter white patch. Redness is due to inflammation. More likely to be a fungal infection. Nothing worrisome.
Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj