1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Lichen Sclerosus

Baking Soda and LS

Posted , 10 users are following.

hanny32508
hanny32508

It is just a thought - I'm brushing my teeth with baking soda, to help my Lichen Planus.  And it seems to help to keep the Lichen Planus at bay.  

Just today I had the idea to add a bit of baking soda in the spray bottle I use to rinse my recently 'renewed' (dilation procedure) bottom.  

Does anyone else have experience or knowledge as to what baking soda can accomplish and perhaps why?

3 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

Next
  • Morrell1951
    Morrell1951 hanny32508

    Posted

    Not sure how reliable this info is, but it does confirm your feeling, Hanny.

    "With its natural pH neutralizing effects, baking soda serves a variety of purposes. The compound is effective for reducing pain, eliminating infection and treating inflammation.

    As such, sodium bicarbonate is used to treat a variety of conditions. Acne, allergies, canker sores and bacterial infections can successfully be treated using a baking soda regimen. Burns, bee stings, and cysts also respond well to treatment with the compound. Other conditions including fatigue, cough, congestion, flatulence, gout, gum disease and others can also be treated using baking soda."

    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      Thanks, good info.  I like the pH neutralizing effects, though I don't really understand it.  Only experienced the result of using it for brushing teeth.
  • Morrell1951
    Morrell1951 hanny32508

    Posted

    Another site has this, even better:

    "Health Benefit of Baking Soda #4: Dermatological Conditions. British researchers found that adding one-half cup of baking soda to bathwater soothed itchiness and irritation in patients with psoriasis. And a paste made of baking soda mixed with a little water and dabbed on sunburn, insect bites, allergic rashes, and skin exposed to poison oak/ivy reduces discomfort. That same paste also makes a nice, gentle exfoliant."

    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 hanny32508

      Posted

      No, but I take it for stomach cramps. I'm inclined now to put half a cup in my pre-soak bath on clob night. It sounds worth doing and harmless.
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      That's what I like about it - no harm done if you won't notice any difference.  But it might in the long run show some interesting results.  Worth a try?
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 hanny32508

      Posted

      I've been putting epsom salts in my soaking bath. I'm going to switch to baking soda.
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      I have done Epsom salt and later Apple Cider Vinegar.  As soon as I'm allowed baths again I will try baking soda as well.  My LS always liked variety. (ha)  For now I do a couple of pinches in my spray bottle every time I visit the bathroom. ( Almost healed.  Now it's a task and a half to keep this opening open.)
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 hanny32508

      Posted

      So, there was some tearing? I would hope you can dilate gently enough not to tear, but still keep it open.

      I'm watchng an art film that has a few shots of vulva. It struck me tonight that I've always found images of fleshy, wrinkly ones bizarre. But of course, it has to be wrinkly at rest in order to stretch. We flatties have no accordion to expand.

    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      No tearing Morrell - the two opposite sites wanted to 'heal' together.  Got it unstuck again.  What 'our goal' is is of course unnatural.  Skin wants to heal.  It has happened before.  Got unstuck and the next morning all was 'frozen solid.'  This time it will be even more critical.  I don't think that this procedure should be repeated.  So I'm doing my utmost.  
    • suzanne00
      suzanne00 Morrell1951

      Posted

       "We flatties have no accordion to expand."  Morrell, that would be really funny if it weren't also sad and true! --Suzanne
    • suzanne00
      suzanne00 hanny32508

      Posted

      Hanny--You said that you don't think that this dilation procedure should be repeated.  Is that because it's been so difficult to go through and heal from? I bet it was hard, as well as all of the waiting and problems peeing. Wish that there were some kind of little plug that could be kept safely in (in between peeing) so that the skin would heal around it rather than to itself.  That sounds frustrating and awful that it just wants to close up again.  --Suzanne
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 suzanne00

      Posted

      A little plug – that was exactly what I was thinking. Made out of that stuff that wounds won't stick to on bandages.
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      Good thinking Morrell and Suzanne,  I've been picking my brain what that material could be.  It has to be soft and move with the body and should stay with the body.  And for hygiene, it should be easy to replace and relatively cheap.  Please keep thinking with me here.

      Your question why it should not be repeated - how often can you do this to skin? Especially the kind of skin that has suffered so much already.  In my opinion you're then inviting other problems to occur.  

    • suzanne00
      suzanne00 hanny32508

      Posted

      Hi Hanny--I see what you're saying about the potential risks of repeating the dilation procedure.  I'll give the plug idea some further thought.  Not sure why the doctors haven't figured something out here.  Whatever would be used definitely would need address the potential infection risks of inserting something into a vulnerable part of the body. I know that catheters are potent sources of infection, but this wouldn't need to be long--just set in the entrance of the urethra, and maybe just while sleeping.  Hmmmm--trying to think about what might work.  Might be good to run that question by your doctor, too.   --Suzanne
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 suzanne00

      Posted

      Yes, why not a little 1/2" long piece of catheter hose? Sure it's not good to have a pathway into the body through a wound or right into the urethra, but this is an opening that's supposed to be there and supposed to be a lot bigger!
    • suedm
      suedm Morrell1951

      Posted

      One would have to be careful the catheter doesnt migrate to places it would be better to stay out of. 

      Think tampon shock syndrome!

      I wonder whether having lubricated dilators should be the answer- night and morning - of the RIGHT size could keep the lumen patent

    • suedm
      suedm Morrell1951

      Posted

      Once upon a time when i worked in post surgical wards - packing materials were used - long long long ribbon gauze soaked in "stuff" to stop sticking- it didnt alwasy work tho - to allow the wound to heal without closing up where it wasnt supposed to

      Up noses -in sinuses - fissures -  for  drainage of fluids etc. Not sure what happens these days - could have more sophisticated practices

    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 suedm

      Posted

      Right – that's the stuff I was thinking of. And you're right, Hanny wouldn't want to 'swallow' a piece of hose!
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      Thanks for thinking with me.  The opening we're talking about is about two inches long.  Eventually it will have to be kept open with a dilater kind of thing.  That is, after the bleeding has stopped and all is healed, according to the specialist.  However, this way this will never happen as long as the two sides want to stick/grow together.  

      Next week I have another appointment and till then I'll struggle on.  I have purchased some Calendula oil, which is nice fatty.  This may prevent the layers from wanting to cling on to each other, perhaps.  For now it is very soothing.  

      Keep your creative thinking caps on.  We may invent something.

    • suzanne00
      suzanne00 hanny32508

      Posted

      Oh, so it's not just the urethra that needs to be kept open.  Oh, Hanny.  I had no idea that they opened such a big area.  Was your urethra buried then in fusing under your labia?  That was quite a procedure.  Can you tuck in some lubricated bandages or guaze (as suggested by suedm) at night to keep the skin sections separated?  This sounds complicated.  
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 suzanne00

      Posted

      No, me either! I can well imagine two raw sides sticking together. Yes, I picture stuffing a vaseline-embedded gauze in there. Maybe with a santiary napkin to hold it in place. But that wouldn't breathe...
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 Morrell1951

      Posted

      I drink lots to wake myself up a couple of times per night. Then I can check and keep things loose. The nights are the most worrysome.   I have tried gauze but am also careful not to get any infections.  Or have gauze stick to skin, in spite of lubricants.  
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.