Daily itching and irritation

Yes, the doctors have suggested washing with plain water, and it gets red and inflamed at times. Seeing a dermatologist is a good idea! Thank you, hadn't occurred to me!

Hi there,

I have a similar situation as Yolanda in that I am much older and after ruling out infections, mine is thought to be hormone related. I try to avoid baths, chemicals etc. down there and also read that wearing only white all cotton underwear is important (not sure why white but maybe the dyes in regular underwear are bad for you). Also avoid tight clothing in that area helps. Mine irritation/itching seems to be somewhat cyclic and in line with my menstrual cycle. Seems to go away when on my period. Dr. also suggested using Prevegyne (vit C suppository) and probiotic suppository for vagina when it is bad. When mine is bad it looks red. Grapeseed oil also can help but honestly I think just putting nothing there and waiting is what works sometimes.

Cheryl

Thanks for the tips! I have a feeling mine may also be hormone related. I have also noticed like you, that it gets better/goes away when I'm on my period. I will give your suggestions a go.

Yes, it gets itchy, dry, sore, inflamed... I experience burning if the area has become aggravated due to the itchiness and dryness.

Possibly not vulvodynia. You definitely need to see a dermatologist - I had vulvodynia and the gynos were useless - it was the dermatologist to helped me to be pain free. Perhaps gynos are more comfortable working with the interior! If possible, you need to find a dermatologist who specialises in vulva issues, like I did.

I never wash down there with soap or shower gels or even washes espcially designed for the female 'intimate' area - they can be the wrong ph or, if you check the ingredients, they can contain skin irritants fir that type of skin such as SLS, glycerine or fragrance. I only wash outside the outer labia (top of legs) with an organic, ph matched wash from Yes and only pure water touches in inner area or coconut oil - I find that very soothing when I am a bit itchy or dry (it also has natural anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral properties).

Many women react to the chemicals in toilet paper such as dyes and bleach and other chemical nasties. I use organic, unbleached, chemical nasty free tissues (such toilet paper is hard to come by but the tissues are more widely available) - Papura tissues (sugar cane) and Cheeky Panda (bamboo). I get the wad of toilet paper and put the tissue on top so it is the tissue that makes contact with my skin. I apply coconut oil after every time I go to the toilet.

I also use hypoallergenic laundry liquid and conditioner. I never bath and I use organic, fragrance free, chemical nasties free shampoo, conditioner and body wash (stuff can run down).

I do all that because I have a very sensitive vulva that reacts badly to most chemicals.

Thanks a lot for the advice! I will definitely go see the dermatologist, hopefully they can sort it out for me. I will also give these suggestions a go, see if anything makes a difference.