Caladium seguinum in treatment of vulvovaginitis

Dr Lakshmipriya.B.Menon

ABSTRACT
Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina. It’s a common condition that affects women and girls of all ages. Vulvovaginitis is a common day to day problem in gynecological practice. Candida albicans is the commonest infectious cause. An estimated 75% of women have at least one episode of Vulvovaginal candidiasis, and 40%–45% will have two or more episodes within their lifetime. Its rate is 30-45% in women.

KEYWORDS :Vulvovaginitis, Caladium

INTRODUCTION
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the vagina. It may be caused by a viral, bacterial, trichomonas, or yeast infection, or by sexual intercourse, douching, or other irritants such as spermicides, chemicals, or a foreign body in the vagina. Atrophic vaginitis occurs in women past menopause, resulting from a decrease in oestrogen levels.

The presence of bacterial vaginosis was associated with multiple sexual partners (P = 0.01). In spite of the fact that bacterial vaginosis is not considered an STD, a greater risk for being diagnosed with this disease has been identified in patients with multiple sexual partners, which is consistent with our study. In this sense, due to the number of sexual partners, in association with the commonly described irregular condom use among this population, one could infer that these adolescents were likely at increased risk for other STDs.

The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs was found be associated with bacterial vaginosis. However, it should be interpreted as an indirect risk factor for bacterial vaginosis, since the use of these substances is usually related to practices such as irregular condoms use and poor genital hygiene, that foster the development of this condition. Genital infection by Candida albicans was not associated with any of the risk factors evaluated, although some studies have reported that oral sex and sexual activity are important risk factors for genital infection by this microorganism.

Vulvovaginitis is an important public health problem, not only due to the gynecological and obstetric complications associated with it but also because the inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and the reduction of lactobacilli could facilitate the transmission of STDs, especially HIV infection. Moreover, the studied population showed a low frequency of condom use and a high number of sexual partners, behaviours that could lead to an important increase in the risk for STDs among these adolescents².

Infection is the most common cause of vaginitis ,including candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. After puberty, infectious vaginitis accounts for 90 percent of cases.

Less commonly, vaginitis may also be caused by gonnorrhea, Chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes, campylobacter, some parasites, and poor hygiene.

Vaginitis can occur before puberty, but different types of bacteria may be involved. Before puberty, Streptococcus is a more likely cause, sometimes because improper hygiene practices spread bacteria from the anal area to the genitals.

The proximity of the vagina to the anus, lack of estrogen, lack of pubic hair, and lack of labial fat pads may increase the risk of vulvovaginitis in before puberty. Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and vulva. It can affect women of all ages.

After puberty, infection is most often due to Gardnerella.

Sometimes, vaginitis can stem from an allergic reaction, for example, to condoms, spermicides, certain soaps and perfumes, douches, topical medications, lubricants, and even semen.

Irritation from a tampon can also cause vaginitis in some women. Factors that increase the risk of vaginitis include:

 Prevention         

            The following best practices may help prevent vaginitis:

• Having good overall hygiene
• Using mild soaps without irritants or scents
• Wearing cotton underwear
• Avoiding douching and irritating agents, such as those present in hygiene sprays, soaps, and other feminine products
• Wiping from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing
• Practicing sex with a condom using antibiotics only when
• Keep your genital area clean and dry when you have vaginitis.
• Avoid Just rinse with water to clean yourself.
• Soak in a warm, not hot, bath to help your symptoms. Dry thoroughly afterward.

Avoid douching. Many women feel cleaner when they douche, but it may actually make symptoms worse because it removes healthy bacteria that line the vagina. These bacteria help protect against infection.⁶

Other tips are:

• Avoid using hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders in the genital
• Use pads instead of tampons while you have an infection.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level in good control. Allow more air to reach your genital You can do this by:
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes and not wearing panty
• Wearing cotton underwear (instead of synthetic fabrics) or underwear that has a cotton lining in the crotch. Cotton allows normal evaporation of moisture so that moisture buildup is reduced.
• Not wearing underwear at night when you sleep. Girls and women should also:
• Know how to properly clean their genital area while bathing or showering.
• Wipe properly after using the Always wipe from front to back.
• Wash thoroughly before and after using the ⁴

 HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

CALADIUM SEGUINUM
American arum

Tincture of whole fresh plant

The leaves of the caladium has more alkaloid than the bulbs, stem and roots. Alkaloids have been used as CNS stimulant, topical anesthetic in ophthalmology, powerful pain relievers and antiupuretic action. This remedy has a marked action on the genital organs, and pruritus of this region. ⁵

CLINICAL – IRRITATION, PRURITUS VAGINA

CHARECTERISTICS

• Like the other Arums, caladium has an intensely irritating effect on the mucous membranes and skin and produces many burning
• it is one of the best remedies for that troublesome affection, pruritus
• Itching of vulva with
• There is aggravation from warmth; aversion to cold water, but bathing with cold water >>itching
• All symptoms >> after sweat; after sleeping in the
• Motion most symptoms.⁶

FEMALE SEXUAL ORGANS

• This remedy has a marked action on the genital organs and pruritus of this
• pruritus of vulva and vagina during ⁷
• Itching of external genitals with voluptuousness
• Cramp pain in uterus at night
• Burning sensation and erysipelatous inflammation

Modalities – better after sweat,after sleeping in daytime worse – motion.⁶

Caladium seguinum treatment for Female ailments: Pruritus of vulva (Ambr; Kreos) and vagina during pregnancy (Hydrogen peroxyd 1: 12 locally). Voluptuousness. Cramp pains in uterus at night.⁵

REFERENCE

1. D Sobel, Clinical obstetrics and gynecology Candidial vulvovaginitis Jack  36(1),153-165,1993 2.Acute vulvovaginitis Linda O Eckert .New Engaland journal of medicine 355 (12),1244-1252 , 2006
2. T stricker ,F Navratil ,FH Sennhauser ,Vulvovaginitis in pubertal girls  Archives of disease in childhood 88(4),324-326 ,200
3. BARBARA D Reed, Risk factors for candida vulvovaginitis, Obsterical and gynecological survey 47 (8),551 -560,1992
4. Acharya Caladium cultivation: for ornamental, medicine and export.Pg 11 – 12
5. Boericke, , 2007. Boericke’s new manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory. New Delhi: Jain Publishers
6. Clarke, , 1996. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica In Three Volumes (Volume III). Delhi, India: B. Jain Publisheres;vol 1

Dr Lakshmipriya.B.Menon
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Mangaluru