Split that takes ages to heal

Posted , 5 users are following.

I quite often get a split in the skin right at the very top of the vulva area in the fold (if you see what I mean). I have been using the steroid cream for a few days, but the split is still there and still hurting. Can't understand why it split because I have been very vigilant in using olive oil every day and massaging it well in all over the whole area and the vagina opening etc.

Just wondered if anyone could recommend another type of oil that is more effective than olive oil at keeping that area well moisturised.

Also, I am getting the thinning, splitting skin on the end of my middle finger. This happens also happens on a regular basis and gets very sore. Could this be something to do with the lichen sclerosus?

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33 Replies

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  • Posted

    Also, if your finger is splitting it is because the steroid cream is thinning the skin on your finger. You need to wear a glove when you apply the steroid.

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      I had thought of that, but generally I don't use that finger to apply the cream and I always thoroughly wash the finger immediately after application. Personally I don't think I could apply it with a glove - how do you ensure it is massaged in enough?

      Since I was diagnosed in 2011 I have had very long periods of not using the steroid cream at all, but this finger problem has only flared up in the past 10 months or so and I just wondered if it is connected in any way with LS.

    • Posted

      Lodge,

      I would definitely bring it up to your doctor. When I first got LS I had a patch on my arm that would itch anytime I would flare. Ever since I started doing the Baking Soda soaks I haven't had any problems with that area. I would try to see if the baking soda has an affect on your finger too when you soak.

  • Posted

    Hi Lodge, try Emuaid - it is very good and seems to last on the skin (stay put) as it is thick and therefore a barrier as well as a soothing ointment. It sounds as though you need something on that split to keep it covered while it heals. Olive oil might be too thin? I'm with Beverly that oestrogen helps. I ditched vagifem pessaries for the cream version as the pessaries seemed so dry and didn't dissolve properly. I was told to use it around the outside of the vagina as well as internally. It has helped. Good luck.

    • Posted

      Thanks for the advice. I wonder if my GP would let me try the cream instead of pessaries.

      It is so upsetting that everything seems to have disappeared down there - does the cream bring any of it back to the way it was, or is that just wishful thinking?

    • Posted

      I would say the cream helps with elasticity of skin and it has plumped up my labia majora and possibly stopped minora atrophy, but it's not done anything to counteract fusing or stopped LS flares. I have been using it for 5 years and am not about to stop!

    • Posted

      My experience as well. Although the gyn said in my case the LS was a result of too little estrogen I don't know if adding estrogen does anything to affect the it. It certainly reverses the atrophy, but I assume only the steroid affects the LS.

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