Itching Down Below (title edited by MNHQ at request of the OP)

I think the tampon has irritated your vagina - you've put something dry and abrasive (I realise it doesn't feel like that to your fingers but it is abrasive to your mucus membranes!) into somewhere that should be lubricated and wet, but isn't because you've either got thrush or an infection and the skin is already irritated and possibly thinner and more fragile as a result.
So on removing the tampon you've now got a load of microtears that are REALLY pissed off and thats why everything itches/burns like fuck.

TSS is highly unlikely from wearing a tampon for an hour.

Shower, don't bathe, lots of things that go in our bathwater are likely to upset the natural PH and infuriate the vulva/vagina.

Avoid tampons.

See a Dr. OR a pharmacist. Use some canesten cream in the meantime to lubricate as well as treat.

Sorry meant to add a link www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/

It’s possible you have Lichen Sclerosis. I have this (20 years) and is often mistaken for thrush before diagnosis. Feel free to DM me

Definitely get seen asap tomorrow. Insist on an emergency appointment. I once left a uti for about a week when I was younger and didn’t know any better and it developed into an infection quickly. It wasn’t until I was feverish and freezing, shivering like crazy in 40 degrees heat in Australia that I saw a doctor. It was cleared quickly with antibiotics but they said if I’d left it even another day it would have been extremely serious.

OP, I would second Naepalz about kidney infection. My MIL had some sort of UTI that she did nothing about, and it led to really serious kidney disease. She also had to have a catheter, so please, do go and see your GP and don’t just ignore it. Quite apart from the discomfort and disturbed sleep, it really can lead to serious complications that you really don’t want. I do hope you manage to get it sorted.

I think you may have 2 things going on at once OP. The stinging on having a pee sounds like a potential UTI which needs seeing to or it can develop into a serious kidney infection. I have seen a pharmacist for this in the past and got antibiotics but am in Scotland where the rules could be different.
The long term itching sounds like thrush. Over the counter pessary could help. I had chronic thrush infections for years that weren't really responding to Canestan type pessaries etc and discovered something called Multi Gyn acti gel. It treats thrush and bv. It stings horribly when you put it in at first but then the relief is amazing. I bought it based on Amazon reviews and after 40 years suffering from thrush it was amazingly effective for me. Good luck!

Do you have anxiety around doctors or another reason preventing you from going?

It could be thrush and cystitis.

But it could also be a UTI.

Earlier this year I similar symptoms and I had no idea what it was. It got so bad I sprayed my entire vagene with an antiseptic + anaesthetic. I thought it could possibly be a bacterial infection it was so severe. It absolutely stung when I first sprayed it (the antiseptic made it burn) but after an hour it calmed down so I could get to sleep.

I did that for two days and after it dried completely I used an anti fungal cream.

This particular time the symptoms were so severe I knew I must have a UTI (I started getting back pain which told me the infection was in my kidneys). My usual thrush protocol didn’t work and I managed to find a pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics. In my country a pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics for UTI’s but in some cases they refuse because the are strict with the government rules (they basically fill out a tick-a-box form).

Usually as soon as I get any symptoms of thrush I treat straight away with diflucan (it’s an over the counter anti-fungal and is only one pill). It takes days to work so I also use a clotrimizole cream specifically for that area. Once it’s as bad as burning it already means one layer of skin is damaged and it will take about a week to get better.

You do need to check if you have a UTI.

Something I have found when I have thrush is I crave carbs. It makes it worse. Stay away from carbs completely and take Urals so that your urine doesn’t burn as much,

Thankfully everything you use to treat thrush can be purchased over the counter in my country.

Have you got any plain yoghurt?

Fair enough.
My thoughts were that you might not be able to get to the vet and that you'll be no use to dog if in hospital. I'm not trying to sound mean.

I think I've just quoted myself. D'oh.

Google lichen sclerosis
I suffered with an itch for years , finally find the courage to go to the sti clinic, they diagnosed straight away. Sent me to GP who referred me to dermatology, literally changed my life.

Definitely see a GP. Cystitis is horrendous, but doesn't usually affect the vagina. Are you having a period? I couldn't quite work out why you put a tampon in to have a bath if not.

Bathing isn't actually good for vaginal health, thrush etc. The hot water and any product will irritate you. Do you have a shower? Try to pee in a warm shower if you can.

Some antibiotics can exacerbate thrush too so make sure you get the right one.

You definitely need GP as UTI can become a kidney infection.

Delay vet. GP first.

Agree to see GP first, but often I've found the round of antibiotics they give (three days worth?) Isn't effective first round.

Not sure if it's an age thing but my UTI experiences have really gone bad over last few years (some from intimacy, some without).

I think there's that clinic which suggests a lot of women have permanent antibiotic resistant infections now.

I've ordered a supply of Hiprex and Azo and am cutting out caffeine.

You can get online UTI antibiotics from Superdrug for about £20-25.

I’m no doctor but I would be worried about TSS. Get yourself up to the hospital and get checked out ASAP.

Or go to a sexual health clinic - the name is a bit misleading as they help with all things to do with health down there. Might be easier to get an appt

It is is a urinary tract infection, D-mannose and lots of water help. It is the sugar in cranberry juice that works by making the bladder slippery so the bacteria can't stick. I had a chronic UTI for 7 years and was finally told to take it by my new urologist. It finally got rid of it after at least 30 rounds of different antibiotics. You can buy it online or some health food stores. Also, if you are prone to a UTI after sex you can take a few capsules before or after to prevent it. It is a lifesaver and gave me my life back. Works for cat UTI infections too. You can try it until you can get seen.

My GP surgery (UK) allows patients to drop off a sample at reception (as long as it is in a medical urine sample pot and a form is completed), and the GP then calls you if it is positive for a UTI. It may be worth seeing if your surgery allows this too.