An Experiment with Borax

That's just so awesome to hear! Thank you for sharing your results. And please do keep us posted! I just keep hoping that more people will stumble upon this feed and learn of this.

It's definitely alleviated the itching I've had. I've never been very sore though, so I can't speak to that. Give it a try and let us know!

That's great news, I'll give it a try. What is the proper name of it? Just so I don't get the wrong thing haha. I'll try and keep people posted on how it goes

Sodium borate. It is NOT boric acid. There is a big difference. Once you start the treatment, remember to take pictures. It will honestly help you to see what is happening. Good luck!

ok thankyou! I will have a look and see where i can get it and give it a go

I have been holding off on this cause of fear of the product. I associate it with laundry detergents. Is it a natural product? I'm sorry to question you. I do want to try it but my husband and I are uneasy about it.

Borax is a natural product that actually has a lot of uses. I was using it when washing my daughter's diapers! It's great at killing the amonia, but it's also antiseptic and antifungal. Anyway, borax, also called sodium borate, is a mineral found in some alkaline salt deposits. And I do understand your concerns, and it's important to do research on something when you're not sure. But something to think about is, for example, baking soda/sodium bicarb. That's also something that has a myriad of uses...like laundry, and cleaning, but we also cook and bake with it. This treatment I've posted about is topical. You're applying with it with a q-tip or a cloth. It's really such a small amount that is getting applied. Another thing to also thing about, certainly if you're using a steroid cream, is what are the negative side effects of that? Aside from the fact that I wasn't sure I would be able to find my cream here in Vietnam, I didn't want to continue using a steroid cream. I wanted to find a more natural solution. And this it. Continue to give it some thought and follow this thread. More and more women are giving it a chance, and as I'm sure you've read, there's been quite a bit of success. We're all here when you need to talk further!

Thanks so much for explaining. That's very helpful.

I looked up medical uses for Borax and found a lot of very clear and useful Information! !

Yes it does reduce itching and soreness it makes you feel so good

Hi, I use 1/6 of a cup in the bath, I just sprinkle in as water is starting. I have just purchased a Sitz bath and use a proportional amount. I also mix three pinches in a spray bottle to use after voiding. Please read the forum, an experiment with Borax, absolutely great information!

I should have mentioned that I only started this regime three days ago and the itching & biting have complete stopped! I watching so we how long I can go before I have to use the Clobetasol!

I am so happy to hear that you've aleady experienced one of the benefits that so many of us have...no more itch & bite!! If you do have some fusing, after using borax for a bit (for each person the time frame is different) you will experience a very short time of itch (like an hour or so), but this itch is different. It's the exposure of fresh skin as fusing releases. It's scary at first but then exciting when you realize what's happening. Please keep us posted!

Hey Lesley,

As Joanna noted, and if you read some of the posts in the feed, everyone does things a little bit different. When I first started this feed I used a saturated solution (I actually still do use it once n' awhile). Essentially what tha tmeans is adding borax to water slowly and mixing. You continue to do this until the borax will no longer dissolve in the water, making the water saturated with it. From there I was applying it to the affected area with a cotton swab morning and night - take photos, it really helps to remind you of how things are changing, or if they are changing. For me, the first visual was watching as pink started replacing the white plaque. So happy to see that! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

I do have some fusing, very scary at first recognition. Thank you for that information about un_fusing, this way I won't run for the Clobetasol!

Hi Alistair, I am laughing because I didn't realize what forum I was on! LOL I too am using the saturated solution as of a few days ago! I didn't feel secure in explaining about it so thank you! I so appreciate all the woman and information on this site!

My husband was the one that "created" the treatment for me. So when I was first writing about it I had to ask him to explain it to me to make sure I was explaining it properly!

Three cheers to your husband!!  Please tell him there are a lot of women who are so grateful for his research and investigation.

I am still symptom free and VERY grateful to your husband and you for putting yourself "out there" as you started the "experiment"! So many woman will be blessed by this! Me for one, now waiting to see how long I can go w/o the Clob. and what happens to the fusion 😃

I feel pretty blessed to have a very understanding husband. We moved to Vietnam back in February and while I did bring back-up of my creams, I didn't want to have to rely on them due to their side-effects. With some extra time on our hands when we first arrived, he scoured the internet for information. I feel pretty blessed to have him! Anyway, I do let him know whenever someone posts positive results, and that really makes him happy to hear!

It was a little nerve wracking to stop using my creams when I was have a flare-up, but my rational was that trying something new for a few weeks couldn't make that much of a difference...I hoped! And well, it made a huge difference, only in a way we were only dreaming it would! Anyway, fingers crossed for you!!

Alistair, how long a period of time can you go w/o using the Clobetasol? Do you still use the "solution" daily? What is your protocol now? Thank you

I've actually not used clob in about 9, almost 10 months. I use the solution sporadically, like once a week or every 2 weeks, but if I start getting stressed about anything (which generally triggers a flare-up), I'll use it for a few days. That being said, everyone is different with this disease. I started out with some fusing, quite a lot of white plaque and intense intching during flare-ups. It's been quite a while since my last flare-up. I feel like I've got things pretty under control. I actually do forget I even have Lychen a lot of time. I pray that others can have the same success.

I've been using the Borax treatments since February this year. That was when I last used Clob. I simply haven't needed it and am looking a whole lot better then I was this time last year too.

Another thank-you to Alistar's husband from me. And you too Alistar for putting the info out there.

My pleasure! Knowing how I felt learning that I had Lychen, learning that it'd be with me always, wondering how I'd cope, what did it mean for my future...I know these are all questions and concerns for anyone with it. And then to find a treatment that isn't a steroid cream, that works more effective than any of the pharmaceutical treatments out there. Yep, such relief! Again, I just wish more women would read this thread and take a chance!

Thank you both for answering, with such positive results. That gives me so much hope and confidence to continue on. Day 6 and no symptoms!

Hi

Borax ordered from eBay. Does it sting when applied? Have noticed last night that my cliterous is now completely bright red in Colour and sore to touch.

For me it depended on the amount used.  The stronger solution didn't work so well.  So I use a little less with positive result.

I've not experienced stinging. I gently applied the borax saturated solution with a q-tip. When we initially started, we were doing a comparison with a baking soda saturated solution. I found that that did sting a bit (nothing major, but a bit) when I applied it. That being said, I know that baking soda has worked for many women in conjunction with also using the borax solution.

Hi, I have been almost symptom free since I started using the Borax. I use it in the bath followed by the saturated solution on a cloth. The one symptom I still have is slight tightness in the perianal area but i have not needed the Clob since I started this! Any ideas about the tightness!

Do you still bathe with Borax twice daily? Thanks

Every other day only.

OK, since I am symptom free, I will experiment with bathing every other day and see how things go. The only symptom i have is tightness in the perianal area wondering if that might be from bathing too often with the Borax? Any ideas? Thanks,

I don' think it is the borax, cause  that helps to improve the flexibility of the skin.  I'm also dilating to gently stretch the skin, cause LS wants to shrink it somehow.  This dilating was on advise from my gyno and has served me well. 

? 

Oh yes, it's taking me a while to put this all together. I guess I thought "symptom free home free" on to Amazon!

Also, I should have asked you how long were you bathing daily before you went to every other day? Is it trial and error for each individual based on symptoms and reactions?

Thanks again for being available and open to all these questions!!!

I guess my questions center around "timing". I don't know how long to keep doing the baths and the saturated solution. Do I just keep doing them or do I play around and experiment and see if the symptoms return??? I think I am still in denial and fear!

I think the challenge with your situation Joanna is that you don't have any symptoms aside from the tightening. For the tightening I would gently dialte as Hanny said. I'm not sure what the borax will help with for you, but I also can't say it won't help! This is an experiment, and so far it's had wonderful results for releasing fusing, stopping the itch and getting rid of the white plaques. At the stage I'm at, I tend to use the borax solution when I am having a flare-up, easily identified by the visual symptoms. Sorry can't help with more info. Try not to let the fear get to you as stress is a big trigger, and seems to be the one thing nearly all LS sufferers can agree on as being a trigger.

hi Alistar, can you tell me how much borax to water you put in the solution? And do you use it on its own or do you still use the clob? Thanks Jackie

Hi Jackie, the amount of borax is totally dependent upon the amount of water. So get your borax and slowly add it to your water, stirring for it to dissolve. Continue to do this until the borax will no longer dissolve. You then have a saturated solution. I haven't used the clob in 9 months. Once I moved to Vietnam my husband did some research and discovered this - I brought back-up clob with me, but since I wasn't sure how easily accessible it would be here, I knew I needed to figure something out. Somewhere recent in this thread you'll find that several women have said that they also haven't been using the clob since starting this treatment. There's definitely the potential for ceasing use of it.

I haven't used a steroid cream of any kind in months. I only use the borax now. It's kept everything pretty well under control and when I fall off using it for a while and have the start of a flair up, I get my act together and get it going again and the Borax gets it back under control.

Dear Alistar, I've looked on Amazon and the Borax they have on there is a laundry starch!  Or there is borax substitute. tell me ------ is it laundry starch?

Dont want to buy the wrong thing!     Thanks Jackie 

HI Joanna,

?So sorry to say, but LS requires constant attention and observation.  It is in that way that I make my judgement and choose 'my weapon'.  And since LS likes variety I also alternate between baking soda and borax. 

?Overall I think that you are well on your way.  I hope you will continue to feel well and that all the time with more confidence.

Thank you Alistar, I am finding, even in these past few days that if I don't use the solution and a Sitz bath with Borax, my itching and the biting feeling returns. I do also have fusing so I will keep on with the treatment! Thank you for your kind advice.

Definitey don't give up Joanna! From what I've gathered, most women who have tried the borax have had some success with it. Keep us posted!

Hi Joanna,

I've been doing the baking soda baths since last March and saw great results, but when I added Alistar's Borax treatment my improvement skyrocketed.  Hanny made a good point though, LS does require constant attention. Even though I've had trememdous success, if I skip few days, the itching starts up again. But after a while the baths and oils become routine, and it's a small price to pay for feeling normal again.  It's also a lot safer than using steroids.

Waaaay safer than steroids!

I've actually never heard it called laundry starch. But, I originally was using borax to wash my daughter's diapers as it's great for getting rid of the amonia. Borax is also an anti-fungal. It's a lot of things. And now it's a treatment for LS! It's also called sodium borate. Do not use boric acid, definitely not the same thing.

Hi Alistar, I was wondering if you have to keep the saturated solution sterile?? Also, how long a period of time may I use solution before I should it throw away and remake it?

We keep a lid on our solution. Not sure how long to keep it for, we don't make a huge amount at a time, so I usually finish it and then we make more.

Hi hanny32508,

I have atrophy and I am wondering what are you using to dilate with and where you got it?  

I looked at Amazon under dilator.

Jenny a dilator is to help stretch your virgina 

The reason I went to the doctors was because intercourse was very difficult , that's when I was diagnosed with LS , and a dilator can help to stretch .

but I couldn't find one.

its so unfair we are a couple married for 45 years and still very close, I fill very cheated having this