Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be in agony

73 replies

chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:12

I posted about this about a month ago but can’t find the post anymore, not sure if it’s been deleted or what’s happened.

basically I had been having horrific discomfort around my clitoris area (burning and intense itching) for months. I couldn’t see what was going on as I hadn’t shaved and I assumed it was possibly thrush etc. I went to the pharmacy and got thrush treatments. It had no help at all. Then I thought it was maybe BV so it was treated for that too. Again, no help.

I ended up shaving the area and suddenly noticed the problem. I had a tear/cut on the clitoris hood area. It’s crusted/scabby but also an open weepy wound, like a vertical cut.

i was really freaked out as I’ve never seen anything like this before. I posted on here for advice and everyone suggested problems it could be and I went to the GPS who said it was infected psoriasis and gave me treatment for it.

however that was a month ago and there’s been no improvement- infact, the cut has got bigger and the itching is even more intense. It’s as if someone has torn the skin vertically and it’s completely split and ripped open and it’s agony

i don’t have an STI (I know that for absolute certain) and there are no sexual health clinics that cover my area. I’ll go back to the GP asap but in the meantime I’m worried sick about this. I don’t know why it’s not getting better, or what it is, and I’m so uncomfortable and miserable with it. I’m terrified the cut never heals itself or gets better, I don’t even know why im posting sorry just in the off chance someone else has experienced this and could offer any knowledge or advice :(

OP posts:
Rosesroseseverywhere · 04/07/2023 12:38

It could be Lichen Planus as opposed to Lichen Sclerosis.
I have LP, formally diagnosed after a biopsy but it can be quite clear just to look at. I have those little fissures, the odd one internally as well. I was referred to Sexual Health (it's NOT an sti) who prescribed steroid cream which I use for a few days when I have a flare up and can then go for weeks or months without anything. I think it is probably stress related, it's definitely temperature/sweat related - so cotton underwear, no tight jeans etc etc.

I also have psoriasis and eczema (a veritable array of rubbish skin!).

The other thing with LP is that you can have in other areas, so I also have it under my arms and in my mouth.

I think you need to go back to your GP and mention LP and see what they say

Eckyftang · 04/07/2023 12:49

There was a thread about this exact issue recently. Have you not gone to the doctors yet?

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 12:53

Eckyftang · 04/07/2023 12:49

There was a thread about this exact issue recently. Have you not gone to the doctors yet?

yep. It’s in my OP

OP posts:
Geordielass1987 · 04/07/2023 12:54

Following with massive interest I am suffering from exactly the same thing and thought I was going insane!

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 12:58

Thanks for all the advice , I don’t have any autoimmune problems (I have psoriasis already, not sure if that’s autoimmune?) I’ll definitely ask about LS and LP when I next see the GP. We don’t have any sexual health places at all here that cover our healthboard unfortunately 😞x

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 12:59

Geordielass1987 · 04/07/2023 12:54

Following with massive interest I am suffering from exactly the same thing and thought I was going insane!

No way! It makes me feel a bit better that someone else has the problem and it’s not just me. It’s so uncomfortable isn’t it😞

OP posts:
InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 04/07/2023 13:18

Didn't the GP prescribe hydrocortisone or steroid cream? If it's psoriasis it's going to need that sort of treatment I would imagine

uncomfortablydumb53 · 04/07/2023 13:21

I'm sorry you're suffering so much and you've tried lots which hasn't worked
First thought Could it be menopause related? Lots of women get genito urinary symptoms( I have had vaginitis and vaginal atrophy myself)
Have you tried a steroid cream such as betnovate?
If it doesn't settle I would ask for a referral to a gynaecologist

Quiverer · 04/07/2023 13:24

Have you got a GP appointment set up?

Superdupes · 04/07/2023 13:30

When I've cut myself shaving under my arms before it has taken absolutely ages to heal because (I assume) it's a damp area. Might be why it's taking so long to heal for you as well OP? I'd keep the area as dry as possible and try to get as much air to it as possible - perhaps sleep naked to try to help.

thehappyhaggis · 04/07/2023 13:51

Hi OP, I'm so sorry you're suffering. I don't have your exact problem but I do have eczema around my anus and perineum. I tried so many creams before it was diagnosed. The holy grail of creams for me is Trimovate. I hope you get it sorted soon x

Crunchymum · 04/07/2023 14:03

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition.

I am not if you have been diagnosed with psoriasis a while ago or if you are saying your recent GP visit diagnosed psoriasis?

Did you manage to get an appointment?

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 14:10

I already have psoriasis elsewhere, I’ve had it for a while. When I got this checked they said it was psoriasis , it looks nothing like the psoriasis I’ve had elsewhere although I’ve never had it down there before so I image it would look different to how it looks on the rest of my body but it really doesn’t look like what I’ve seen with psoriasis before. I was given an antibiotic and steroid to use but it hasn’t helped unfortunately. I’m trying to get an appointment in between working but haven’t been able to get through yet

OP posts:
MenopauseSucks · 04/07/2023 14:10

My local hospital has a gynaecological dermatologist - she deals with the skin in the whole vulval/vagina area.
Could you be referred to one?

Hotpinkangel19 · 04/07/2023 14:12

I'd want to rule out more serious problems like cancer to be honest. Referral to specialists.

Geordielass1987 · 04/07/2023 17:05

Op very interesting that you have psoriasis as so do I! And suffering with same issue as you

Knackeredbutnot · 04/07/2023 17:26

chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 12:58

Thanks for all the advice , I don’t have any autoimmune problems (I have psoriasis already, not sure if that’s autoimmune?) I’ll definitely ask about LS and LP when I next see the GP. We don’t have any sexual health places at all here that cover our healthboard unfortunately 😞x

I have psoriasis and also have this… I was prescribed Mometasone furoate cream which I use every other day and I also moisturise everyday. The cream healed the split in my skin and then kept it at bay.

Knackeredbutnot · 04/07/2023 17:30

Also - as a side note and as someone who has suffered from psoriasis for years I was prescribed Enstilar cutaneous foam and it has been AMAZING. Totally cleared up even very large patches. Definitely worth a try for anyone with psoriasis if you haven’t already tried it.

WalterWitty · 04/07/2023 17:39

I remember your First post OP! So sorry you’re a still going through this. Psoriasis has been linked to gut health, have you tried improving that, 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed with a small cup of water first thing before you eat anything (drink through a straw to protect your enamel)

My DD suffered terrible for years and only the immune suppressant injections worked in the end. On the down time theyd put her back on steroid creams, so she started drinking probiotics and taking vitamin D and it’s pretty much sorted itself out now, no more creams or injections.

Looking at the cause rather than treating the effect may help? Def worth a shot if topical treatments aren’t working.

Fingers crossed for you!

Tofuislovely · 04/07/2023 21:25

Could you try optibac for women probiotics. Their products (for various issues) have helped various family members.

Dutchesss · 04/07/2023 21:34

If you can be home during the day it might be good to let the area air as much as you can. Keep it clean and dry as much as you can. I would try a simple saline solution as sometimes lots of creams make it worse.

Isit7yet · 04/07/2023 21:41

So I had this when I was infected with covid, which was my only symptom! I could have passed out with the pain when urine entered the cut area - mine was lower down. Instillagel is your friend - has a numbing property in it. And to just let it heal.

Isit7yet · 04/07/2023 21:42

Also if it isn't covid related, instillagel will still give you relief from the burning and itching while they figure out what it is

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 15:51

Hi. Just a quick update. I’ve had some antibiotics but it’s just getting worse if nothing else. At first I was embarrassed about posting specific words but now I don’t care because it’s only body parts the same as saying arm/leg I suppose.

i think there’s 2 separate things going on- the original problem and now the infection. The original problem seems to have white flaky/scaleyness and dryness which makes sense with the psoriasis. But now it’s infected and it’s yellow crusty, has a strong smell and is clearly infected. not only that, there’s now several wounds- the cut and now there’s more where there’s skin folds eg at the edge of the labia. I think they started because of the original problem (eg psoriasis) but are now infected too.

I could actually burst into tears with it all. I’ll go back to my GP again and beg for help but I’m absolutely terrified it won’t go away and I’ll be left like this forever especially since the cuts don’t seem to be healing themselves although I suppose that’s just because we need to get the infection under control. On one hand I’m trying to be rational and not worry unnecessarily but on the other hand I’m terrified this keeps getting worse, I also have a terrible phobia of hospitals but this won’t mean I need to go to hospital, will it because the cuts are only small and it’s not a serious infection? Any help would be gratefully received x

OP posts:
Knackeredbutnot · 14/07/2023 16:22

Oh @chocolatesundae - I’m really sorry to hear this. Honestly this sounds very like what I have, minus the infection, but the splits/cuts above the clitoris and also around the edges of the labia are very familiar. I have psoriasis and thought it was that, but diagnosed with lichen sclerosis. Mometasone furoate cream was life changing for me. Totally healed the split skin and prevents it happening again. I also moisturise each day and I notice if I have forgotten.

Please keep going back. You know it’s not right and your GP needs to keep trying different things.

Swipe left for the next trending thread