Hi, I am 75 and was diagnosed with LS about four months ago after a few months of intense itching.

Patricia, I am an elderly lady like yourself but was diagnosed a good fifteen years ago. If you have a lady GP you may be able to use her for in between visits to your specialist. Whereabouts are you! I am near Melbourne, in Australia.

Never scratch Patricia. Use a cool washer to calm it but my specialists are very emphatic about breaking the skin. Coolness usually settles it. 

Hi everyone

Thank you all so much for taking the trouble to reply, it helps so much to know that other people care.  I have started to keep a few damp facecloths in the fridge and hold one to the area when it gets bad, throw it in the washer straight afterwards. It helps for a while.  I also have a small hand held fan which I hold near - I feel really daft doing this but again it does help for a while.

It seems to me that different methods suit different people so I'll try your suggestions.  I wish all of you all the best with this miserable condition and thank you again for

Hi everyone again

Sorry, I lost the link in mid sentence.  Thank you again.  By the way I live in North West England. 

Thank you Marey. Food for thought!  I'll certainly check out the website you mentioned.  x

Hi Patricia,

I find that it is essential to dry the area thoroughly after washing.  Although a cool shower eases things at the time, drying off afterwards without rubbing or agravating things more is necessary. I actually find warm (not over hot water) is more soothing in the long run.  This is probably psychological in that I dry myself properly after a warm bath or shower.  I used a spray bottle of cold water for a while, which I carried with me, but this actually made matters worse and I came to the conclusion that it was spreading irritants and I was not able to dry myself properly with toilet paper when out and about.

I acquired a perimeter of angry red when I used the spray bottle, which was beyond the usual area of the problem. You could put this down to pee irritants or skin kept damp too long, or the fact that I was under extreme stress at the time - who knows,  Dealing with this condition can feel like fighting an octopus - you just don't know which tentacle to battle with next.

Hi Patricia,

What works for me is washing with aqueous cream rather than soap. I only ever shower although i really miss having a bath. Don't under any circumstances use Dove (advice from my Gyn). I was using Dermovate cream which was not greatly successful and my doctor switched me to the ointment and it has been much better since. Before that i had been bleeding when i passed a motion and in a lot of pain during the process.

Hello Patricia 

i am 76 and have had LS for about 1 year now 

I also have a collapsed bladder so have to be careful as to what I yes on the LS 

i see a gyneocologist every 6 months for both problems 

she put me on Eumovate for the itch 

and wash with Doublebase Gel 

and each time after wiping toilet wipe with Doublebase gel on a tissue must be white tissue 

I don't wear pants 

in bed I only wear tee shirt in summer and nightie in the winter 

I am in UK both these things are available on prescription 

since doing all this I have neverhad an itch 

but previously I did have an itch and at bedtime I used to put Sudocream on But you do need to wear Knicks in bed as it's a bit messy but stops the itch i hope some of this May help you 

Janette 

 

Hi Patricia I am 70 and suffered with terrible itching mainly at night after going to the loo . Tried Lanacan and Sudocream but only temporary relief. Was told I had LS after 3smear test kept coming back not clear so sent to hospital for more test and soon as older nurse saw me said what the problem was had a biopsy to confirm it. I was put on Dermovate a very small pea size every night for 1 week then every other night for second week Then twice for third week accompanied with using Hydromol ointment not cream looks like goose fat to wash down below and when dried apply more to protect the area when peeing. I also take vitamin B tablet as my friend who is a carer said I could have an acid bladder and sure this has helped. I have also been diagnosed with under active thyroid. Before I had any of the above treatments used to keep a small bottle of cold water by the bed and when the itch started used to put between my legs it soon relived the itching. I also used to take if not had much sleep a Piriton tablet occasionally at bedtime the packet that has 30 tabs in it so last a long time. Forgot to say I suffered for 12 years before I found relief and have been itch free since February. Hope some of this helps.

Thank you again everyone, You have all given me positive feedback and I really do appreciate it.   It's good to know there are so many people out there who care.

I'll try the doctor again and see if he can prescribe one of the suggestions and I'll take up the suggestion about being scrupulous about drying the area thoroughly.

Good luck with your treatment everyone.

 

Thanks ~Chrissy

I find that keeping the area as dry as possible helps.  My doctor prescribed E45 shower gel but I only use this on the rest of my body and use just water on the area down below.  Again many thanks for the advice everyone, I'll keep trying!