New to LS - start here

I worked in the yard a week ago in 80 degree weather and got overheated- since then have had the most painful outbreak of LS

How long have you had a diagnosis of LS? Age 37 (I am now 40).

Do you suspect that you have had this for much longer? 3 years before diagnoses. (Dr thought it was thrush flare ups)

Is it currently under control? Mostly

When did the irritation start? Age 34

Has the area always been irritable? No

Are you suffering a flare at the moment? No

If so, can you attribute the cause to anything specific? No

Do you suspect that other members of your family may have had/have LS? No

Do you have any other skin conditions along with the LS? No

Describe your skin type: Fair, burn reasonably easily

Do you suffer from an autoimmune disorder e.g. rheumatoid Arthritus/Crohn’s/please add …? Underactive Thyroid

Have you been tested for high cholesterol? Yes, it is low

Do you suffer from high blood pressure? No

Statins? No

Diet and exercise? Healthy diet, exercise sporadically

Do you suffer from high blood pressure? No

If so are you being treated for this? N/A

Do you suffer from low blood pressure? No

If so are you being treated for this? N/A

Do you suffer from anxiety? No

Have you taken steps to reduce your stress? Reducing stress levels

If so what have you done? Medication, painting furniture, gardening, puzzles.

Do you have a flare-up of LS if something is causing you stress? No

Have you had surgery related to LS? Yes, 2 x stem cell operations (2015 & 2016), 3 x lazer treatments with Femilift (2016 & 2017).

Biopsy: Yes

Have you experienced other surgery? Yes, hysterectomy in 2015.

Episiotomy: Yes

Please list any of the prescribed topical creams you use currently: Dermovate (Clobetasol), Emla

Emollients: Coconut oil

Barrier creams: No

Alternative treatments: Not really

What sort of products do you avoid when cleaning the area? Avoid all products, either clean with just water or aqueous cream (not the soap)

When do you wash? Shower morning and night

How do you dry yourself? Towel

Do you wash in hot or cold water? Warm but definitely not hot... irritates it.

Do you dread having a poo? Sometimes when I have a flare up around that area

Does pee sting you? Yes

What can you no longer wear? Tight pants, sexy underwear, jeans

What do you now wear? Cotton panties, loose pants, skirts, tracksuit pants.

Do any foods seem to make the LS worse? Sugar and wheat.

  How long have you had a diagnosis of LS? 1 year Do you suspect that you have had this for much longer? no Is it currently under control? Yes When did the irritation start? Age 22 Has the area always been irritable? Not the area inparticular but I have sensitive skin in general Are you suffering a flare at the moment? Yes (June 9 2017) If so, can you attribute the cause to anything specific? Yes: stress & PMS, post period Do you suspect that other members of your family may have had/have LS? No Do you have any other skin conditions along with the LS? No Describe your skin type: normal Do you suffer from an autoimmune disorder e.g. no

Arthritus/Crohn’s/please add …? No Have you been tested for high cholesterol? No Do you suffer from high blood pressure? N/A Statins? N/A Diet and exercise? No Do you suffer from high blood pressure? No If so are you being treated for this? N/A Do you suffer from low blood pressure? No If so are you being treated for this? N/A Do you suffer from anxiety? No Have you taken steps to reduce your stress? No If so what have you done?  Do you have a flare-up of LS if something is causing you stress? Yes Have you had surgery related to LS? No Biopsy: Yes Have you experienced other surgery? no Episiotomy: no Please list any of the prescribed topical creams you use currently  [color=#ffffff]Tacrolimus[/color] Emollients:baby oil or baby oil gel Barrier creams: no Alternative treatments:  What sort of products do you avoid when cleaning the area? anything scented, soaps When do you wash? Before bed & in the morning How do you dry yourself? Towel Do you wash in hot or cold water? Warm/cold Do you dread having a poo? No What happens? N/A Does pee sting you? No What do you do about it? Y but only recently have I experienced this. I lubricate the area with neosporin and it wards off the sting What can you no longer wear? Tight pants What do you now wear? Loose cotton panties Do any foods seem to make the LS worse? I haven't noticed Is this discomfort on already damaged skin? It makes the area around the anus red and sore/itchy

Hi, I am 58 years old and was diagnosed by my gynecologist via biopsy a couple of months ago. Went in for itching but no other symptoms at the time. I was prescribed Clobetasol. I experienced burning but continued the application. The discomfort became unbearable so I went back to gynecologist. I had developed a very bad case of yeast infection. Was treated for that and it seems to have cleared. During treatment for the infection he told me to stop the Clob. The discomfort abated for a few days but now the soreness and burning has extended to the anal area. Sitting is extremely uncomfortable.

I've been applying Emuaid cream and that relieves the burning enough so that I can fall asleep, but it doesn't help much with the burning during the day. I also apply coconut oil for lubrication.

I've been wearing dresses, loose pants and loose cotton underware. I live in Florida and the heat/sweat aggravates everything, so I try to go without underware at home as much as possible and I apply ice while resting or watching tv. All these things only work temporarily.

I read that sugar may be a trigger so I've virtually eliminated it from my diet. Whether that helps the LS I don't know, but I feel better in other ways.

I've been very depressed and scared over this diagnosis so I'm glad to have found a forum like this.

Thanks for this forum. I was only disgnosed recently when I go patches on my breasts and then it was discovered on my vulva (I had had itching for some time but had no idea it was LS). Get a lot of soreness and urinary symptoms too (another thing I didn't know was connected to LS) and IBS-like symptoms (which also could be linked to LS?). I had a cervcal smear test (routine) a couple of weeks ago which was really painful. doctor has now prescribed Vagifem, but this seems to be worsening the IBS-like symptoms and causing nausea. Has anyone else had this? Not sure if I should persist with the Vagifem (have been taking for about a week).

Thanks in advance for any advice

Hello,  my 7 yr old daughter was just diagnosed with LS.  She began complaining about an itch that would come and go a few months ago.  At first, I thought she had simply developed a bad habit, then I assumed it was vaginitis.  I read this was common in young girls and searched all the ways to remove irritants, etc.  Over the last two months, we went to the pediatrician four times.  We were told it was a yeast infection and have tried multiple creams.  They would help a little, but wouldn't get rid of it.  I took her to a Pediatric Dermatologist this week and she was immediately diagnosed.  I was told she is in the early stages.  She is handling it well  (better than me).  I am concerned with the strong steroid cream we have to use for a month.  Clobesterol once a day for a month and then a maintenance cream daily.  If she has a flare up, we have to use the steroid for two weeks, then again back to maintenance cream.  I would love to hear from anyone, especially those who have experience with Pediatric LS.  I am also interested in the more natural things I can do along with the meds to help her and hopefully limit future flares.  Thank you on advance from a very concerned mom.  

Hi my name is Megan I was diagnosed with l.s just over a year ago now at the age of 22. I've just joined this group to hopefully find out as much I can I have been in so much pain the last week it's now becoming unbearable I've again been woken during the night with the awful stinging burning itchy sensation. It's absolute agony to go to the toilet and my partner of 7 years has no chance in coming near near me. I have only really been given steroid cream and my doctor isn't really interested I just get yes I get it must be sore it's like he doesn't understand. My ginogocoligist is brilliant and sees me every 2 months because of my age. But I havnt seen her for a while she cancelled one appointment and I had to cancel another now I'm finding it hard to get hold of her again. Anyway please give me tips on what I can do home remedies I can use right now I can't cope st the moment. Sorry for long negative intro xx

HI, my name is Karen and I live near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  I am very relieved to have found this forum.  I have suffered with LS for years.  I think I probably had it since I was about 14.  I was not diagnosed properly until a biobsy was taken after I gave birth to my third child.  I was around 35. I am now 48 and spend more time itching than not.  I have used a steroid cream since my diagnosis, but it is not particularly helpful anymore.  My worst flare ups are usually the week before my period, making me conncect the problem with hormone levels.  I have read through some of your posts, and now have a list of options to try - so Thank-you.  My husband had surger this week, and though I am not conciously stressed, my LS has been on high alert and driving me nuts! So, stress must be a factor, even if I am not conciously aware of it.