Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Champers101]

Thank you so much for all advice. Not sure how to tag individual people - apologies!

I haven’t taken oral thrush treatment but am taking the pessary every week and cream more often. I wish it was thrush as that would be simplest (all relative) but I don’t think a v low growth would explain such fierce itching, and why it moves around? It’s also only external.

I actually wish it was lichen too, simply as there is a definite treatment! Is that usually on the outer labia or on the inner area? And would it have begun on both sides simultaneously?  I have an appt booked with a private gynae in Feb - wondering if I should change to a dermatologist? There are no vulval specialists anywhere near me.

Today has been frustrating as I applied diprobase a few times and had almost no itching all day. About an hour ago it came back with a vengeance - I want to claw my skin off! What’s strange is that these itchy flap times seem to correspond with itchy flaky skin in my ears and on my scalp. Right now I have all three locations going like billyo!

No flaking that I’m aware of down below.

The mystery of it all is the worst part of all. Also why it disappears for a while and then returns for seemingly no reason…

[Minusminnie]

I always used the oral one dose Caneston tablet when thrush was suspected and it works very well.

I do the same having been advised by a consultant if I think it might be thrush.  150mg tablet OTC.

If you took the tablet Champers that might rule the thrush out & one less pessaries / creams around the vagina to think about.

Just a thought.

[Dierdre]

Thank you so much for all advice. Not sure how to tag individual people - apologies!

I haven’t taken oral thrush treatment but am taking the pessary every week and cream more often. I wish it was thrush as that would be simplest (all relative) but I don’t think a v low growth would explain such fierce itching, and why it moves around? It’s also only external.

I actually wish it was lichen too, simply as there is a definite treatment! Is that usually on the outer labia or on the inner area? And would it have begun on both sides simultaneously?  I have an appt booked with a private gynae in Feb - wondering if I should change to a dermatologist? There are no vulval specialists anywhere near me.

Today has been frustrating as I applied diprobase a few times and had almost no itching all day. About an hour ago it came back with a vengeance - I want to claw my skin off! What’s strange is that these itchy flap times seem to correspond with itchy flaky skin in my ears and on my scalp. Right now I have all three locations going like billyo!

No flaking that I’m aware of down below.

The mystery of it all is the worst part of all. Also why it disappears for a while and then returns for seemingly no reason…

Lichens is external usually on the outer labia and anus.
The fact you had relief using Diprobase could be vulva dermatitis or eczema, which would account for the intense itching and only externally on the labia. A dermatologist would beable to diagnose these symptoms.
I believe Diprobase is being discontiued but Cetraben can also used for eczema and skin irritation.
You seem to be using a lot of different creams so it's hard to tell what's working or what could be causing irritation, try just using one thing at a time and see what helps.

[Champers101]

Thank you so, so much for advice and help. Sadly a really bad day of very intense itching and burning despite diprobase slathered on. Seriously struggling with how to go on if this is going to be the rest of my life.

Please god the dermatologist will have an idea, as a diagnosis would really help. Although if it’s eczema or dermatitis and emollients don’t work…

[Flossieteacake]

Thank you so, so much for advice and help. Sadly a really bad day of very intense itching and burning despite diprobase slathered on. Seriously struggling with how to go on if this is going to be the rest of my life.

Please god the dermatologist will have an idea, as a diagnosis would really help. Although if it’s eczema or dermatitis and emollients don’t work…

If you have eczema then it makes sense there is no improvement as you would need a steriod cream. Would it be worth asking your GP to check your skin? I am unsure if they would recognise eczema. In my early 20s I had so much pain and it was only when I saw a dermatologist I was diagnosed with eczema.

[CLKD]

Please don't wish for Lichen Sclerosis 

MayB ask a Pharmacist for advice?  They have private rooms for discussion.

Make sure that your urine is not too dark as anything acid may aggravate the symptoms. 


What ever you are using, stop for 24 hours : sit in a cool bath with no products for a few moments or wipe the area gently with a cooled flannel.   MayB try some 'savlon' or an e-cream to see if that helps.  VA can be difficult to ease initially.  Some creams have fillers which may also aggravate symptoms.

Too many creams won't help.  Some may sting a bit until the skin soaks up the product.  I have a 'vaseline' yellow bottle which I can use anywhere in a small amount.  Cooling as would LIVE yoghurt be.  Not 'natural' as these aren't always 'live'.  Let us know how you get on. 

[Minusminnie]

You seem to be using a lot of different creams so it's hard to tell what's working or what could be causing irritation, try just using one thing at a time and see what helps.

Have you stripped back to one cream at a time as Dierdre suggested ?  Too much at a time and all the vulva etc can start to get screaming and hypersensitive.  Even maybe give the lot a rest for a time to see if going back to basics helps. Then restart if necessary.

Don't be afraid to go to the GUM clinic either as they were very kind and efficient and ruled out herpes for me at one time.  You become your own detective until you get an answer.

 

[Ayesha]

Don't be afraid to go to the GUM clinic either as they were very kind and efficient and ruled out herpes for me at one time.  You become your own detective until you get an answer.

Champers101, a friend years ago was in the same position as you and in desperation to find answers she went to our local GUM clinic and was eventually diagnosed with eczema.

[GraceM]

Are you sexually active?  If so your partner needs to be checked out as he could be passing thrush back to you continuously without having symptoms himself..  He will need to be swabbed. 

[Champers101]

I don’t want to diminish the seriousness of lichen sclerosis but in my mind right now nothing at all could be worse than an insanely intense mystery itch that comes and goes with no apparent reason.

I am going to stop all creams for a couple of days as advised - except ovestin - I’ve been using a scattergun approach in desperation. It just feels like there has to be a cream that quietens everything down - I just need to find it!

Am seeing the GP in 2 weeks for a follow up and will ask her to examine the area, which she hasn’t yet. I’m scared she won’t see anything and will just tell me it all looks fine so there can’t be any treatable issue.

Re steroid cream I have been using dermovate the last couple of days to no effect, but it was prescribed 4.5 yrs ago so may not be effective anymore? My son has betnovate cream for his eczema and I’ve nabbed a bit of that also to no effect.

The GUM clinic might be idea if the GP can’t help, thank you.

Today is another bad day and it’s really hard to carry on with normal life when it’s all I can think about every waking moment!  This simply can’t be forever - I go to a very dark place when that fear hits

[Dierdre]

I don’t want to diminish the seriousness of lichen sclerosis but in my mind right now nothing at all could be worse than an insanely intense mystery itch that comes and goes with no apparent reason.

I am going to stop all creams for a couple of days as advised - except ovestin - I’ve been using a scattergun approach in desperation. It just feels like there has to be a cream that quietens everything down - I just need to find it!

Am seeing the GP in 2 weeks for a follow up and will ask her to examine the area, which she hasn’t yet. I’m scared she won’t see anything and will just tell me it all looks fine so there can’t be any treatable issue.

Re steroid cream I have been using dermovate the last couple of days to no effect, but it was prescribed 4.5 yrs ago so may not be effective anymore? My son has betnovate cream for his eczema and I’ve nabbed a bit of that also to no effect.

The GUM clinic might be idea if the GP can’t help, thank you.

Today is another bad day and it’s really hard to carry on with normal life when it’s all I can think about every waking moment!  This simply can’t be forever - I go to a very dark place when that fear hits

Throw the Dermovate away it will be out of date.
I find that if I put any cream on thickly it irritates. Less is more and a thin amount rubbed in well seems to do the job better.
I do this with Ovestin externally too, putting a big blob on burns.
Wash with the Diprobase it stops the water drying out the skin.
Go commando whenever possible.
Wash your pants without soap powder or conditioner on a hot wash and tumble dry, this will clean them but not leave any irritant. Only wear cotton. I wear a perfume free panty liner which stops the pants chafing.
The GUM clinic sounds good, they specialise in this area and will know much more than a GP and have the all the resources to hand to test etc.

[CLKD]

Little and often with the 'ovestin', thinly applied; externally and as far inside as is comfy.  Don't wait for 2 weeks, ring the surgery and see if there is a Nurse Practitioner who will give advice. 

[GraceM]

There's a book called Me and my Menopausal Vagina - it might be worth a read. 

If you can get Caldesene powder it may help.  There is a baby (nappy rash) version and an adult version for chaffing, itching.  I found the baby powder good for a similar issue. Try not to use too many creams around the same time as you won't be giving any a chance to work.  If you need sanitary wear, Natracare is a brand I find good - no irritation.  While I don't think mine was as bad as yours sounds, I really felt like I was going to go mad at times.  I realised that tomatoes and chocolate were triggers so I cut back as much as possible and if I get the slightest tingling now I take an anti-histamine tablet which helps, along with the Caldesene powder. 

[Champers101]

Thank you once again for all the replies and advice. All taken on board! I’m definitely guilty of slathering way too much cream on (even when it’s in date…)

Hate to sound like a stuck record but I’m so so desperate for an answer. I would be able to cope with the symptoms much better if I knew what was causing them. But ironically this puts me off going to see a clinic or anyone else in case they are unable to diagnose me and I run out of options. I want to be able to think ‘this itching and burning is horrible but it’s due to dryness’ or whatever.

Could anyone help me answer a couple of questions please?
1. Would it be flaky and red (by definition) if if it was eczema?
2. For those who have VA - is it ever only on the outside labia for you? That’s the confusing bit. And does the itching and burning move around? (Ok that’s a third question). It seems to concentrate in different areas at different times for me. Maddening!

Thanks so much xx

[CLKD]

U R overthinking!

4 me VA started with repeated urine infection-type symptoms: feeling like the need2P continually.  My GP recognised the symptoms by reading my records, recommended treatment over the phone and hey presto!  Once I began inserting Ovestin into the vagina at night as well as taking 2 Nurofen 3 times a day to ease the nip as the urine flow stopped, symptoms improved.  I also get a feeling across the area under my belly button, kind of 'tight' which is a warning.

If someone uses too much preparation some will wipe off, which may be flaky.  Some will stain the panties but that's OK!  What goes up ;-).  When my outer labia itch I either apply 'savlon', 'KY Jelly' or 'ovestin' where it itches when necessary, as well as internally at night.  If possible, put a thin layer of your choice and lay naked on your bed, to allow it to soak in.  Keeping the whole area moist will stop the itching.  Once symptoms are under control, don't stop using treatment. 

Yep the sensations can 'move' around as different areas become dry, thin and itchy.  There R a lot of nerve endings around that area!