Recently become super sensitive to washing ‘down below’- the itchiness is torture!

[Summergarden]

It used to be the case that if I was washing in the shower with something lovely smelling but highly scented and I accidentally got a bit near my vagina it will be intensely itchy for a few days after.

But recently if I get a bit of the milder shower creams there it’s having the same effect, including Dove which had previously always been ok.

Does anyone have any suggestions on anything to reduce the itching please? It’s driving me mad.

Don’t wash your vulva with anything but water? Rinse better?

Just wash with water. You are not meant to use any soap as far as I understand.

I found Luna body wash was good for all over including my nether region. It's pH balanced I think which makes a big difference

Plain unscented soap.

I only ever wash the outer area, never mean to get it inside. But a tiny bit must be getting in recently. I can’t imagine just swilling a bit of plain water only around my pubes as it wouldn’t feel clean.

Thanks I’ll try this.

QV gentle wash works for me, it’s v v mild
or sanex baby zero

i was recommended e45 shower cream/body wash by nurse in sexual health clinic many years ago, it’s really good. Prior to this I’d used canestan wash but it got tricky to get hold of.

Faith in nature products are very gentle as only use essential oils to perfume them. You may want to change your laundry products, M & S do a good no perfume liquid for sensitive skin.

Natural unsweetened yoghurt if you have any, cold from the fridge.
And then use a specific intimate wash

Dermol500 has been a lifesaver for me - GP recommended. It’s a moisturiser that can also be used as a cleanser.

Vagisil intimate wash from boots. Not cheap but does the trick. Use vagisil cream to cure the itching.

Are you perimenopausal? Might be early vaginal atrophy and lov oestrogen cream or pessaris may help (it might not be the scented washes doing it/might take a minuscule amount). But also, advice is to wash vulva with plain water or something like dermol 500.

Yes try to find something gentle. Aqueous cream can be bought in big tubs to wash with. Only ever mound and leg creases though op.

I've started getting itchiness and/or nippiness there too in the last few months. I use very diluted Sanex sensitive body wash, and after drying spread a bit of vaseline around the general area. This has helped a lot!

I put up with severe itching for years. It was lichen sclerosis. Never heard of it before. I was prescribed a soap substitute by the GP which helps lots. As well as steroid creams which provided almost instant relief. Just thought I'd mention incase it could be that.

Nothing on your body needs lovely smelling products and it all drips down to sensitive skin. Look for fragrance free products for general washing. Wash your most sensitive spots with water only except in extraordinary circumstances.

Peri did that to me. Even though I was supposedly too young! The nurse flagged it at my smear and HRT has changed my life!

Aqueous cream.. non seated non perfumed.. my gynecologist told me .. but not the vulva/ inside.

Sebamed intimate wash

How old are you OP? The itchiness could be peri-menopause related.

I'm post-meno and use this - CLEANSE Intimate Wash - YES It's very gentle and doesn't cause irritation.

I use QV gentle wash but I have LS

Doc told me to use moisturiser as if it were soap in the area and it seems to work.

Go to GP to rule out lichen sclerosis.

Get the oestrogen pessary from the doc if you’re peri or menopausal.

I had this. Drove me nuts.

edit for autocorrect because an essay wouldn’t be much use.