LS

Anna you must see your GP and get it diagnosed and get checked out and start treatment. It takes some doctors awhile to agree its LS but u know your own body so persevere , good luck

Hi Anna,

Sorry to hear that. Waste no time asking your doctor for a referral to a gynae or a dermatologist. Some women here insist derms are better with LS than Gynaes, knowing more about skin treatments. I have always had both LS and psoriasis and I never had any questions about my vulva from a derm.

Do read the other topics here. The women who post sincerely want to give and receive help. It's one of the most solid platforms for peer support I've ever come across on the internet.

There haven't been any serious studies done on LS since 1960, so we appear to be on our own.

Hi Anna,

It is difficult to diagnose Ls if you are very red.  A doctor who specialised in skin conditions missed mine at first but fortunately I saw another doctor who picked it up as I was not so sore on that exam.  I am so grateful that I went back and did not allow myself to be dismissed.  I have since been sent to a dermatologist who gave me so much information about LS and helped me to understand that treating it will prevent flare ups that cause the damage.  I am slightly concerned that you are using a cortisone cream that was diagnosed for your face.  Please see a doc and get the right treatment for your problem.  Good luck x

Chrisy, the point your derm made is the MAIN point. Treatment with the correct steroid cream for LS FOREVER prevents flareups, meaning much less damage. All those horrific photos you find when you Google LS images are of untreated LS – extensive scarring-over of everything. It's not just about soothing the itch at all.

Hello Anna, Do look  at your vulva in a mirror. There could be changes to the shape of the "lips" which is a very good indication you may be right if so.*

Often there are white patches on the skin in the area, with inflamed areas where you may have scratched!

While you are waiting for you medical appointment do as the others suggest - keep the area moisturised- aqueous cream is cheaply available at the chemist in the short term- and is useful for washing the area with. Do not use perfumed products in the bath /shower or on the area, wear loose clothing / skirts.

Drink a lots of clear liquids (water) to keep the urine from getting too concentrated- it burns the area.

Try and keep your stress levels low- not always easy but stress is really bad for autoimmune conditions.

And don't worry. There are many times when the condition is quiescent.

Check the look of the area regularly- Know your body.

Nurses are very good but they may not have ever seen the condition.(I was a senior nurse in managementin the NHS)

Bite the bullet and ask for a referal to a consultant from your GP. I saw a gynaecologist for the condition, (in my case the dermatologist wasnt that interested)

*The skin may look as if it is stuck together - DO NOT try and separate if so- it will HURT!

Good Luck

Sue

PS

I re read your post and saw that you were using a cream for warts Don't do it - it may worsen the condition not help it. Splash the area with cold water when it is very inflamed

Take care

Best wishes

Sue

dear anna

how are you now? any news?

locally applied creams such as raw coconut or sudacrem do no harm. also spraying with the shower head stimulates the circulation so helping to relieve symtoms..but wise to get a filter which removes chlorine which is a halogen that we can just get too much of. on the basis of like treating like i start with a gentle spray then increase the volume and bit by bit the temperature til it is really hot. some women go for really cold...or alternating can be helpful ...but for me the hottest i can take grants me great relief from the itch!

thats only symptomatic treatment though of course. the real treatment starts when we quit grains and sugar....and explore the possibilty of candida or h pylori... have you heard about these methods. i'm afraid orthodox med can't help...all you get is a diagnosis...then what? its still necessary to treat the underlying cause which is autoimmunity. how is your thyroid?

these are just a few points for reflection since we're kinda on our own...but you will find a way to manage your condition but working towards cure is what we're sharing as some women have got there ...it takes work!

hope this helps anna. let us know how you are.

love marey xx