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Swimming pool and lichen sclerosis

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Barking
Barking

I was diagnosed with LS last year finally after months of tests etc. I also have IBS and had been depressed before I retired. I joined an aqua aerobics group which I really enjoyed and it did wonders for my well being. Unfortunately my LS keeps flaring up and I don't know whether it is the water in the swimming pool which is aggravating it or just something I have to accept. Does anybody else have a similar experience? When it is at its worst, I stop going to the pool but then really miss the exercise and social aspect. Any ideas anybody?

2 likes, 43 replies

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  • mary_58782
    mary_58782

    Posted

    The swimming pool itself does not seem to bother my LS. Hot, sweaty environments do!
  • all_the_kings_horses
    all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    I must have read somewhere that swimming is a no-no for people suffering with LS or LP, as I now have it firmly fixed in my mind. However, it seems an awful shame for you to give it up, especially as it is good socially. There are barrier creams that you can use. I use zeroguent which my dermatologist recommended to me and this is a barrier cream as well as a moisturiser, so it would be worth a try!! Good luck!
  • suedm
    suedm

    Posted

    I found the loss of the labia made it feel as if water was entering me..! I tend to keep away from highly "chemicalled" waters but the application of the GOOD barrier cream is sound advice- if it works for you. I havent heard of Zeroungent so that sounds interesting. Hope you can carry on swimming
  • Barking
    Barking

    Edited

    Thank you everybody for taking time out to reply and give advice, what a horrible thing this is! I really struggle at night with it - is that the worst time for everybody else?
  • mary_58782
    mary_58782

    Posted

    Night is usually the worse time for me too. I think it might be that I don't have much to distract me. When I get out of the shower especially if it's a hot shower, results in me feeling itchy too. As a barrier cream I use

    Desitin.,I am in the US. My dermatologist laughed. For me, it calms down the itch. I found two more posts

    referring to a nappy cream that they use that provide relief. I concluded that I was not the only one who was

    using something like that! I developed LS when I was a teen. I am now 55, so I've had this disease what

    seems like forever. In the beginning I was told that I just have discoloration of my skin. I don't think much wasknown about LS back then! I have it all over the front of my body, ( except for my legs) and the same thing on the back of my body. Parts that my underwear cover are especially bad. I also have it all over the outside of

    my vagina. I hate it!

  • Barking
    Barking

    Edited

    I agree, when I am occupied it doesn't seem to rule my life but when I turn out the lights, then it really affects me and sleep is very far away. I really feel for you Mary as I 'only' have it underneath and the vaginal and rectum areas are very irritated. I can't imagine having it in the same areas as you.

    I am a 61 year old from the UK and I don't know anybody else with this, so I'll be thinking of you across the pond!

    Take care!

    • Holiday_girl
      Holiday_girl Barking

      Posted

      Hello Barking

      Dont know if that's where you live but if so I live in Romford and have had LS for about 12 years although I didn't realise it thought it was old age I am 70 now. as for not sleeping through being itchy I take 1 Piriton tablet the pack that has 30 in is better value . They give me a good nights sleep.

    • Barking
      Barking Holiday_girl

      Posted

      Hi there Holiday girl, I used to work in Barking but live in Leigh on Sea. I am 61 and have had LS for the past 2 years (well another 2 years before it was diagnosed). I have had some nasty flare ups but with Dermovate and Elocon I have managed a bit of an uneasy truce for now! I have also used various anti-histamines to counteract the itching at night. I wash with Dermol and then apply Epiderm cream once dry when not using Dermovate. I also try to splash myself with water after weeing as the urine stings like mad. It is such a palaver trying to balance all this but I have yet to discover if anything in my diet triggers any flare ups. How about you? Do you see a gyny/dermatologist?
    • Holiday_girl
      Holiday_girl Barking

      Posted

      Hello Barking, bet you prefer Leigh-on-sea to Barking. My son lived there but moved to Southend much better. My LS was diagnosed when I was referred to Queens for a smear test cos it kept coming back not good, but as soon as the lady saw me straight away said what my problem was as I was so sore down below and got a quick app. To see the consultant who confirmed it and arranged for a biopsy to be done which said yes definately. I had suffered for a long time not knowing what it was had been told it was thrush, castitas, old age and had used different creams like Lanacan to ease the itching but nothing worked long term. I use Dermovate occasionally if I feel a little twinge and wash with Hydromol ointment down below then smear it on afterwards and so far so good. I have a checkup booked for September. Some of the stories you read on here are really bad so I am grateful mine isn't like that. I think it should be more talked about and notices in doctors to make women more aware of what there problem might be. Well hope you carry on feeling ok x
    • nismo09
      nismo09 Barking

      Posted

      I have been able to stop useing the staroids now for over  four months  ...I use cold pressed cocnut oil that I get from Costco, because they have the best price... you can use almost any brand that is cold pressed .....cocnut oil is a natural antibiotic  ..you do not need to melt it  I keep it in the bath room in a jar with lid.... put is on  befor and after going potty I also do a sitz bath with a sage tea that i grow in the yard... that works great ...twice a week... stoped eating all sugar cut back on high oxalate foods... no more wheat.....I am doing good .now.. have had this for 5 years now ...was real bad at first 
  • all_the_kings_horses
    all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    Interesting that so many of us are affected more badly at night. I tend to ignore twinges during the daytime, but nighttime is always very worrying and quite often I feel I haven't slept at all. This is when I use the dermovate, as otherwise I start scratching!

    Happy days!

  • suedm
    suedm

    Posted

    I am soon to be 70 - I can't believe it- I was diagmosed after a particularly stressful time in my life about 6 years ago I find when I have an altercation or a worry, is when the Return of The Itch occurs. It is then day AND night. When The Itch is bad i go without underwear (while wearing a longish skirt). I have long Uggs that keep the legs warm. I too am from the UK - West Midlands, and no one else I know has ever heard of the condition never mind having it. I believe 1:1000 is the stated occurance. I read as there is no profit in the condition for the drug companies very little research -or education is undertaken on this horrid condition. I do find it helps to be part of a discussion as friends are uncomfortable talking about it, altho I do try and get them to look at themselves routinely and encourage their daughters to do the same, So thank you all, and especially Mary who seems to have an unempathetic dermatologist and the condition is wide spread

  • nismo09
    nismo09

    Posted

    Try a good brand of coconut oil I get mine from Costco ..it must be cold press... I use it when ever my Lichen starts up and it makes it feel much better......I also do not use any soap, I bath with baking soda ... I also stopped eating most anything made from flour.. I have never used sugar on anything but, do like coffee mocha,...... so now have them at home...I am 71 came down with this in 2008, but did not know what is was till 2010....... Have a wonderful husband, who understands ... I also do apple Cider Vinegar sit baths and drink ACV in my water I think I have in well under control as of now ....I have thyroid problems ... which may have brought it on, that is also under control now .

    Pow

  • Barking
    Barking

    Posted

    Hi there nismo09, thanks for this. I also use coconut oil (cold press) but just a common and garden one when I can find it. Is it a Costco own brand which you use? It is amazing how many people (women) seem to have to adjust their diets to cope with LS - I wish somebody in the medical profession would do some research along these lines as it all seems to be trial and error! Glad you can control it - it seems a shame that very few of us can get a diagnosis- what a strange condition it is?!!
  • Twigs
    Twigs

    Posted

    It is so good to read from others who have LS. I have only just been diagnosed and apart from using dermovate every night for first month and then every other night for second month I have no other information other than to use aqueous cream to Cleanse after going to the toilet - suggested before diagnosis. I didn't know diet could be a factor and I do like a glass or two of wine. Am not overweight but believe mine is as a result of taking Aromasin. Good to hear that the white patches can disappear but do you still have to use dermovate or is that just when necessary. It is all so confusing. Should I talk to my Dr and am I supposed to be under a specialist now? Sorry but I have no follow up arrangements in place and a bit worried after reading some of the threads.
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