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

90 replies

Summergarden · 17/01/2026 22:19

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.

OP posts:
AliMonkey · 17/01/2026 23:17

Aqueous cream works for me - I buy the tubes as although more expensive than tub it’s still very cheap and fits in my shower basket. I had terrible itching until so started using it and none since.

Hosoan · 17/01/2026 23:18

Femfresh soothing wash is the only thing my fanny tolerates. It's nice and mild and indeed soothing.
On the outside area and vulva only. Leave the inside bits alone.

Boododedoop · 17/01/2026 23:20

See your Dr to rule out Lichen Sclerosis.

twointhemorning · 17/01/2026 23:22

I can only use Aveeno Skin Relief Body wash (with the dark blue cap).
I also recommend Naydaya's Victory Oil to help with the itchiness.

lucya66 · 17/01/2026 23:25

I only use water. Have for years because soap causes itchiness. I even bend over to wash my hair, with the shower head, so that soap doesn’t drip down into the front and back of me.

are you washing your hair and soap travelling into that area?

Thedownwardspiralpath · 18/01/2026 00:02

Plain olive oil soap.

Maddy70 · 18/01/2026 00:09

Dermol 500. Game change

EBearhug · 18/01/2026 00:15

MonsteraDeliciosa · 17/01/2026 22:59

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!

Beware of Sanex. I thought I'd be safe with it on sensitive skin, but I had a rash after using it (chest and back, didn't use it down below.) Faith in Nature is usually okay, though. I was obviously reacting to an ingredient in it,but haven't identified what.

Migrainedays · 18/01/2026 00:17

Baby wash.
I have the same problem but all over my body so only use baby wash.

Noshadelamp · 18/01/2026 00:35

Using actual bar soap is way to alkaline, our intimate area needs a mild acidic environment.

People always say you don't need to wash with anything other than water but that's not the case for everyone.
Use a feminine or intimate wash that is specifically made for the area as it's pH will be correct.

Femfresh soothing wash has been a game changer for me. I thought it was going to be too scented but it's a mild safe scent.

Not all scented products are bad, just as not all unscented products are good (eg if you're allergic to an ingredient, or the pH is wrong).

catinateacup · 18/01/2026 00:54

OP try Simple or a completely unfragranced soap for a couple of weeks. It’s often the fragrances that set off skin sensitivities. It can take up to a couple of weeks to settle down if your skin is being set off by fragranced or harsh products.

If it continues, you can use Diprobase emollient lotion (OTC) as a wash in the shower (don’t bath so that your vulval skin isn’t sitting in water and soap. Don’t use any kind of bubble bath or bath fizzers/bath bombs).

Rinse your vulva carefully after using any scented soap/shower gel/hair products elsewhere on your body, too (these can drip down and irritate even if you think they don’t).

Buy an unscented laundry product (eg Surcare) for any underwear or laundry you wear next to your skin.

Buy some unbleached, reasonably sturdy loo roll that doesn’t have any aloe vera/oil/added lotion and doesn’t shed fibres everywhere. Sometimes loo roll can cause irritation or lots of bits of lint which irritate the skin.

If you have periods, switch to unscented organic “cotton” style pads, or period pants washed in unfragranced laundry liquid. Avoid tampons for a bit.

Check and treat if necessary for thrush, Bacterial Vaginosis, threadworms. BV, an imbalance of vaginal flora, can also cause sore skin and itching.

Finally, how old are you? Perimenopause (or indeed extended breastfeeding), in fact low oestrogen generally, can cause sore and thinning vulval skin. If it doesn’t resolve in a couple of weeks with unfragranced products and/or plain water, book a GP appointment to look at the vulva - they can also refer you on to your local hospital vulva clinic.

Baital · 18/01/2026 00:54

Just use water. Soap on armpits daily. Shampoo on hair (then conditioner) once a week. Water everywhere else

vanillaskin · 18/01/2026 01:22

Baital · 18/01/2026 00:54

Just use water. Soap on armpits daily. Shampoo on hair (then conditioner) once a week. Water everywhere else

You need to wash more than just your armpits
feet, bum, ears, belly button?

Baital · 18/01/2026 08:32

vanillaskin · 18/01/2026 01:22

You need to wash more than just your armpits
feet, bum, ears, belly button?

Yes, of course, but not everywhere needs soap.

explanationplease · 18/01/2026 08:45

Only ever water. That was my doctor’s advice after a UTI.

Gatekeeper · 18/01/2026 08:47

CatAsstrophe · 17/01/2026 23:11

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 this as well...its fab

Classworking · 18/01/2026 08:47

Another vote for QV wash, it’s very gentle as recommended for use for Eczema sufferers

yonem · 18/01/2026 08:49

Femfresh 0% sensitive wash - it’s unscented and the right pH to be using there so shouldn’t cause irritation

vdbfamily · 18/01/2026 08:51

I don't know why people think water is not enough. I use soap where I need to remove products, so armpits to get rid of deodorant. I might have a nice Lush soap on the go just to smell nice but for area around vagina I just detach the shower hose and give everything a good spray with water. Never had an issue with smelliness. People managed for centuries washing in rivers!

Summergarden · 18/01/2026 09:04

Thanks so much for all the new replies. I’m 45 so yes maybe peri related which I didn’t know could have an effect also I’d never heard of lichen sclerosis.
I wouldn’t have thought to book a GP appointment but if this continues much longer I might have to as it’s not really a socially acceptable area to scratch and is just so uncomfortable when I get a flare up.

OP posts:
explanationplease · 18/01/2026 09:05

yonem · 18/01/2026 08:49

Femfresh 0% sensitive wash - it’s unscented and the right pH to be using there so shouldn’t cause irritation

Not according to my GP!

yonem · 18/01/2026 09:18

explanationplease · 18/01/2026 09:05

Not according to my GP!

Did your GP specifically mention that exact product? The other, scented Femfresh products I would avoid but the 0% sensitive one that I’m talking about doesn’t have those issues.

DeanElderberry · 18/01/2026 09:48

Using mildly acidic water will probably help if it is a fungal thing - just a capful (or two if you're in a hard water area) of cider vinegar in a bowl of water. In the past I also soaked a small tampon, to ensure a whole environmental pH re-set.

explanationplease · 18/01/2026 09:56

yonem · 18/01/2026 09:18

Did your GP specifically mention that exact product? The other, scented Femfresh products I would avoid but the 0% sensitive one that I’m talking about doesn’t have those issues.

I said I used it and she said definitely not to, only water.

thedevilinablackdress · 18/01/2026 09:57

Olivia olive oil soap and Vagirux vaginal HRT