Painful, sensitive rash on lady bits

[Middlerose]

Hello,

Over the past few days I have developed a painful, bumpy, red rash around my vulva. It doesn't go inside my vagina. I'm okay when I'm sitting down, but it really hurts when I walk, urinate, or shower (i.e. when I put pressure on the rash). I saw the doctor today and he said it was just a standard rash which will go away in a few days. He said he can't prescribe anything unless it lasts longer. Now, I have just doused it in Sudicrem, which seems to help the burning.

Any tips?

[MatildaTheCat]

Aloe Vera gel? Good for post shaving rash.

[OrinocoTheWomble]

Canesten? You can get from the chemist.

[ImperialBlether]

Are there blisters? What does the rash look like? (Don't worry, I'm not asking for photos!)

[Middlerose]

They're not spots or warts. They are small bumps and there is a few of them. Their colour isn't any different from the rest of the area (which is dark pink/red).

[AuntieStella]

Do you use Always or another make of sanitary towel which is deodorised/scented? It's not uncommon to have a nasty reaction to them.

Or changed washing powder/fabric softener?

[Middlerose]

Yes, I use Always, but have always used them.

I was off work last week and on my period. Because I wasn't doing much, I did not change my pad often... Could that have caused this?

[AuntieStella]

Changing to an unscented towel is something that has no downside, and is definitely worth a try.

I'd used Always for years, and it took quite a while before the penny dropped that the new version was causing the problems I had (which had crept up over time).