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does this look like LS please help me.

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Guest

hi all, ive been suffering with vulvodynia for almost a year now, with splitting in the fourchette area, papercuts along the folds, and splits during bm. i have been tested for herpes more times than i can count, truly. my last sexual encounter was 10 days ago and we kept our underwear on. i shaved 2 days ago and noticed (not blisters or bumps) but tiny cuts/erosions above my clitoris. it healed up in literally 2 days. but my ocd is in overdrive thinking this is herpes. i cant stop crying. i know i didnt put myself at risk as my partner had his boxers on. my vagina is very sensitive but every time i get a cut or sore im back to my herpes fear again. the photo i attatched is from the first day (2 days ago) until now, where it is healing up. please help meimage

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  • emmy2018
    emmy2018 Guest

    Edited

    when you say you have been tested for herpes what has happened? did they swab you when you have an active cut/sore like this?

    this doesnt look like herpes to me so i think you can calm down. especially if your cuts have been swabbed. herpes can present as cuts/sores in some cases but this looks more like you have grazed yourself whilst shaving?

    having pain in your genitals is not fun and i am sure all of us here before we had a diagnosis also had the anxiety of sti's when we werent sure what was wrong! i would keep going back to the doctor. dont keep suffering like this. the best thing i ever did was go to a private dermatologist who soecialised in vulva skin to get a proper doagnosis and treatment. good luck and try not to panic, eveb if it was herpes (which i dont think it is) but even if it was its not that bad and can be treated. the anxiety does no good for your symptoms either xxxx

    • Guest
      Guest emmy2018

      Edited

      yes its terrifying! i have been getting splits for a year and have had them swabbed 2 times. i have had 5 YES 5 blood tests for herpes. so i calmed down. but 10 days ago however i hooked up with a friend of mine but like i said he had his boxers on. i noticed this 2 days ago so my ocd and anxiety is making me think its from that exposure-even tho it wasnt really a risk. but it calmed me down that this doesnt look like herpes. it healed very fast too.

  • rubydee
    rubydee Guest

    Edited

    I am sorry to hear about your year of pain and uncertainty. The best course of action is to see a doctor and if possible one who has expertise in LS.

    I can tell you that my first symptom was fourchette splits/tears along with a narrowing of my vaginal opening. Sex became increasing more painful and difficult. I had attributed all of this to menopause and vaginal atrophy. During my yearly routine exam my gynecologist thought it was LS and performed a biopsy.

    After being diagnosed and then going to see a specialist I was made aware of fissuring in my sulci (the valley between the labia minora and majora. I had no overt symptoms from that other than a general vulvular discomfort. What you picture here may be fissuring which is common with LS.

    I was diagnosed 7 months ago. After the initial treatment with clobesterol and now with weekly maintenance treatment along with moisturizing I am symptom free. My fourchette no longer tears or splits, my vaginal opening has relaxed and is now flexible again and sex is virtually pain free. I do have vaginal dryness due to menopause, even while using vaginal estrogen but lube helps a great deal.

    Good luck to you and please don't let this progress further without seeing a doctor.

    • Guest
      Guest rubydee

      Edited

      i know fourchette tearing all too well. so sorry ur dealing with it. this looked differnt than the tears so it caught my attention. i swear i have a fear of stds now after going through all of this. every bump, tear, split i automatically think is herpes. even tho me and the guy i was with 10 days ago never had intercourse. we just hookedup with his boxers on. i hope this is nothing. i dont feel like putting myself through herpes testing again. i am seeing a vulva specialist and he thinks its a chronic allergy, but i havent been in months and he hasnt seen this. im scared 😦

  • Nancy_K_B
    Nancy_K_B Guest

    Edited

    HI Nicole 94817 ( smiles - we have another Nicole on here if she is still around),Like another person these look like shaving nicks possibly. BUt the splits in the anus is definitely associated with LS. .. AND LS IS associated with autoimmunity.

    I went to your profile page and see that you are also signed up on a thyroid board. THYROID involvement is definitely statistically associated with over 30 % of LS patient cases. And guess what? Your mentioning OCD.... I just looked it up and OCD is also surmised to have an AUTOIMMUNITY component.

    SO, dearheart (I'm 73, I get to say those things - smiles) if you do nothing else, please read the 6 month of work on solving my own LS last year.... and the list of nutritional supplements that bring all thes thigns back into balance.

    HEre are the links on this site:

    ya gotta know th rationale:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nutritional-support-protocol-for-autoimmune-diseases-636963

    outline of Nutrition - sorry that it is had to read, the computer seems to have squahsed the line together...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nutritional-support-protocol-for-autoimmune-diseases-636963

    really helps skin healing:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/aloe-vera-gel-with-tumeric-essential-oii-best-healing-ever--667353

    Advanced - for after you've rad about nutritional support - buthis one holds high expectations for all the other issues we might have....

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/ldn-for-lichen-sclerosus-experience-690359

    • Guest
      Guest Nancy_K_B

      Posted

      thank you! i dont remeber cutting myself tho. i think it might be from tbe strip on the razor. my skin is just senitive. so this doesnt look like herpes? thank you so much for your reply. xo

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 Guest

      Posted

      Nicole, why are you shaving at all if you are having a vulval skin problem? Please think of your own health and comfort not whatever pubic shaving style in fashion. Have you ever noticed how often men develop skin problems on their faces from constant shaving? And that is an area they can clearly SEE when shaving! Personally, I've never understood how women can stand the feeling of stubble between their legs or how it can add to any sexual experience. I literally could never kiss a man who hadn't just shaved or had a beard as stubble would give me a terrible rash.

      After all those negative herpes tests you mustn't have it. But you do need to determine what it is you DO have. If your specialist thought it was a chronic allergy what are you supposed to be allergic to?? Did he give you any guidelines to follow? It's very important that doctor narrow things down so you know what to avoid.

      With diligence and your part & your doctor's I'm sure you'll get a diagnosis and can proceed from there. Constant worry will only add to your problems. Good luck!

    • Guest
      Guest beverly52803

      Posted

      i havent had a negative herpes test since my last exposure 10 days ago- which was not even intercourse and he had boxers on. i noticed this 2 days ago so i have not yet had a herpes test. but i have had many bc i have been dealing with splits and tears for the past year. this scared me and now i feel like i should be tested again even tho i did not even have a risky exposure. i have never had irritation in this area before. i dont truly think its herpes bc it healed so so fast once i put a&d ointment on it. i just get so scared. hopefully its just from my sensitive skin which ive had for the past year

    • Guest
      Guest beverly52803

      Posted

      or maybe its from the pads i have been using the past week from my period. i really dont think this is herpes as i am prone to skin issues down there. sorry im just scared and rambling lol

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 Guest

      Posted

      nicole, you wrote you have had 5 blood tests for herpes that were negative. Why would you have another if you have not had sexual contact?

      See your doctor again and find out what you are allergic to. None of us can tell you what your problem is but your doctor.

    • Guest
      Guest beverly52803

      Edited

      because me and the guy 10 days ago were physical but he had his boxers on. i guess my ocd thinks that i could have somehow gotten herpes from that. i made an appointment with my vulva specialist later this month. thank you for being patient with me.

  • stephanie67223
    stephanie67223 Guest

    Edited

    I wouldn't be shaving I think that might aggravate the area your hair will protect from rubbing on clothes I think. try using paw paw ointment in between using your clob ointment

  • Heyyo
    Heyyo Guest

    Posted

    Hey

    Did you ever get to the bottom of what this is?

    I have been diagnosed Lichen Sclerosis for years and am currently having the most horrid time with it around me bum (if it is even the LS) 😔 Sores like on these photos is how it starts I think but it's a bit like rash and heals and comes up in multiple places and now very red and sore.

    I'm travelling and unfortunately haven't got access to swabbing luxuries now it's at it's worst. Coconut oil application is what I'm trying.

    Any advice on management would be appreciated.

    Thanks peeps 💜

    • Nancy_K_B
      Nancy_K_B Heyyo

      Posted

      HI there Heyyo! Welcome to this forum. Many of us have been helped by having this fine community. Where have you gotten help in the past - or rather - what have you been doing all these years for your LS? Do you already know not to eat sugar? is this flare from having grin - more fun food while traveling? Argh it took me a week to overcome the backslide/pain from 3 day weekend July 4th with my grandson and ice cream etc.

      Have you heard the it is now considered an autoimmune disease and that Vitamin D deficiency is one major culprit? There is a whole internal nutritional protocol that actually helps with the pain very quickly.My first realization 2 years ago was from my anus hurting or itching etc. I found out about Vitamin D3 and I think I was out of the worst of the pain within 2 days.

      I hope while you are traveling you are able to get to a pharmacy of some kind. When you have time you might want to read up on the whole list of supplements that I studied to find out what works for autoimmunity.

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nutritional-support-for-autoimmune-diseases-updated-for-several-skin-disorders-641279

      Hope you feel better soon.

    • Heyyo
      Heyyo Nancy_K_B

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your message. It got better after a few days. Was really suffering!

      I didn't know about the no sugar thing but will try my best to cut sugar out!

      I do try and eat as well as I can but will study your nutritional advice, thanks for that.

      I have some steroid cream that the dermatologist gave me but I don't really like using it if possible. I have been pretty lucky since diagnosis and haven't had too many episodes but this last year seems to be more than ever!

      We're really lucky to have forums like this and I thank you for your support.

      Take care 😊💜

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