Women's Dermatology

Vulval and vaginal itch can be a very difficult problem for young and older women. Sometimes it can be due to a simple issue such as a poorly treated thrush infection and at other times it can be due to more serious and potentially scaring conditions.  Usually your general practitioner would have already treated you for thrush and would have done tests to exclude sexually transmitted infections before you present to the dermatologist. Sometimes patients have been scratching for years before they seek treatment with a dermatologist. Often the itch is very easy to treat once the underlying cause is identified. When the itch is due to a serious condition such as a disease called lichen sclerosis, it is important to get regular follow up with your dermatologist - as this condition is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the vulva.

Melasma is increased pigment to the face - leaving the skin with brown blotches and stains. It is very common in women in Western Australia - in fair skinned, olive skinned and Asian patients. It is due to a combination of sun exposure, hormones and genetics. The best thing that you can do for your skin if you have melasma is to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every day and protect yourself from the sun. At Adult and Paediatric Dermatology staff can offer advice and management for patients with Melasma.

Rosacea is another problem that is common in women in Australia. There are different types of rosacea. Sometimes it simply presents as flushing and a red face. In other patients it also causes pimples and occasionally it can cause thickening of the skin. Rosacea is relatively easy to manage with creams and medications. Some patients also benefit from a therapy known as IPL or other 'laser' treatments. 

Having trained at the Mater Women's Hospital, in Brisbane, Australia, Dr Rochelle Gild is experienced in treating pregnant women with rashes, itch and other skin concerns in pregnancy. She is happy to offer pregnant women urgent appointments if required, visit patients in hospital  and liaise with the treating general practitioners and obstetricians. Rashes in pregnancy can be a sign of underlying raised raised liver enzymes, they can be due to a flare of pre-existing skin conditions and they can be due to viral infections. There are specific rashes that only occur in pregnant women.  A condition called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy is terribly itchy and uncomfortable, but fortunately it will usually disappear after the birth of your baby. There are treatments that can be given to make you more comfortable. Pemphigoid gestationus is a more serious condition causing itching and blisters in pregnant women. It requires specialist treatment.