Reaction 'down there'

[MineAreCrafty]

I can't believe I'm actually in this predicament but after months of different examinations and failed treatments for thrush, the only conclusion that my GP and iCash clinic can reach is that I have eczema vaginally or am allergic to stuff. Does anyone suffer with this or have any advice? I'm getting some relief with a canesten/steroid combo cream but apart from that I could literally tear my vagina off and happily throw it to the hills for the itching. Please can someone tell me it's ok and life can resume as normal once again. It's even been suggested I could be allergic to sex!!! Thanks for reading.

mainly would like to know that someone is doing something for you and has a plan because this sounds like a terrible situation. I truly feel for you.

Thank you so much. Yeah I have a steroid cream from iCash clinic but it's become less useful today. I was referred to gynae quite early on as I had a white patch on the inside of my vagina and GP was worried but by the time I got seen at hospital the patch had gone and doctor said I didn't have lichen sclerosis or cancer !!!!

Do you have a GUM clinic you could drop in and say it has become unbearable and you need someone to prescribe an antihistamine and a strong steroid and refer you? If they can't treat it or diagnose it then they should be sending you to someone who can.

Sorry I haven't replied to this fully, been at work (as a nurse!) and really busy. I went to iCash and they gave me the steroid and aqueous and hydromol. I'd had pessary prior. NONE of these have helped, the steroid does a bit but not much. I'm sore and swollen too. The antihistamine is just OTC which pharmacy gave me when my pessary wasn't in stock and I looked like I was going to lose it in the shop as the itching is so utterly unbearable. I so desperately want to know what this is.

Also wanted to thank every one of you for your advice. It's really helped me feel less alone. Will look into the towels and all suggestions asap

Bathed in aqueous and stopped steroid and feels a little better

I was thinking of you this morning, OP. Basically, if I touch the skin in my groin it gets itchy. If I scratch, it gets irritated and infuriating. I was grinding my teeth with not scratching when I really really wanted to.

Glad it feels a bit better. Stopped steroid?

Thank you PMP. Yeah I've stopped the steroid for now as although it helped at first, it seemed to then start making it worse. Bathing in aqueous and slathering it on the area seems to have helped. I'm too nervous to be able to count on it lasting long though

And I know that grinding teeth feeling

I have BV at the minute and lots of clear discharge is the main symptom. Is it worth getting swabbed again just incase all the steroids and creams have set something else off?

I massively sympathise I've only got discharge/discomfort (no itching yet thank feck) and I'm chewed to bits with it all.

I was only swabbed for BV last week. She came straight back through to say it had all come back clear but would send them off anyway and I'll get a text next week.

Could it be scabies? Steroids make it worse if so and the swabs you've had wouldn't always show anything. You'd need a punch biopsy

So I get bad itching down there if I have milk/dairy. Antihistamine relieves it. So does avoiding dairy. I thought I was on my own with that weird symptom 😊

Mine only showed on a second set of swabs the first one missed it, don't know how common that is though.

It's so utterly depressing. Sometimes I get a few hours let up but I can't think what I'm doing/what's happening for that relief. The aqueous doesn't seem as effective anymore. I'm wondering if I need another high strength pessary for thrush. I'm so sick of it 😢

Some treatments for skin problems are based on irritant products, weirdly. Some people get better when they stop using the creams. I think it's a problem with eczema, lots of creams have a petroleum type base...

Have you tried using things like olive oil instead of aqueous cream?

This looks like useful advice while you are waiting for a diagnosis: vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/index.php/advice-and-self-help/general-advice (there is a bit on fungal infections).
Also, another option to find a specialist: vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/index.php/finding-a-vulval-clinic
(Although it's called vulval pain soc, they refer to itching quite a lot)

I feel so sorry for you there's nothing more annoying than irritable bits. I would ask to be reswabbed just incase anything new has started or anythings been missed.

Are you sure aqueous isn't making it worse? I know it's often recommended by doctors (I think because it's cheap). I have a dreadful allergy to it - one use even on my hand and it triggers dreadful eczema. Apparently a common allergy.

Have you tried making coconut oil pessaries? I had on going fanjo issues and it helped.

Melt a couple of table spoons of coconut oil, then distribute into ice cube tray and place in the fridge. Insert one every night at bed. Wear a pad as it's a bit messy.

I added a drop or two of lavender or tee tree to the coconut but would stick to just coconut oil for now if it's irritated. Coconut oil has lots of natural antibiotic and soothing properties. Might provide some relief.