AIBU to be in agony

[chocolatesundae]

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 :(

Honestly I’m starting to think it could be LS, although I googled it and it doesn’t look exactly like the photos as the white patches I get seem to come and go and are more like flaky/scaliness rather than permanent white patches if that makes sense. It would definitely make sense with the cuts though. I’m so sorry you’ve had to experience similar, its absolutely crap isn’t it 😞

The other thing that makes me think it could be LS is I get agonising anal symptoms- I don’t have pikes, fissures etc and I’ve had a colonoscopy but I go through phases of having extreme agony when going to the toilet, to the extent I’m left sobbing because it feels like I’m being torn. I get blood when wiping too. But I’ve just been told there’s nothing going on and to use anusol but it barely helps, wondering if it is LS and that’s caused by a flare although when they were checking for piles and fissures I suppose they would have noticed if it was LS and diagnosed it. Ahh, I hate this all so much.

I don’t have any advice but just wanted to send sympathy as it sounds so painful and distressing. I hope you get answers soon OP.

Oh goodness you poor love. I remember your first post, I'm so sorry you're still suffering 😔 whilst I've never had it in my vaginal region, I get very similar deep cuts which appear as a result of eczema (autoimmune like your psoriasis I guess) so it sounds like it's a reaction to that. Ask your GP for a dermatology referral, but if it's autoimmune it would explain why it isn't responding to normal treatment. Don't panic, there WILL be a way to make this better. I eventually went to a private dermatologist as the eczema on my arms and legs was horrific and my hands were so cracked and bleeding I couldn't use them properly. They (unhelpfully 🙄) identified stress as a a massive trigger, but I was also patch tested and given different medication, and now it's all but gone, so maybe that's a route they need to go down for you. Sending the biggest hugs xxx

Another vote for Lichen sclerosis - I have it - it is very easily controlled with the right medication. I had it for a couple of years before diagnosed - I thought it was thrush - those years were bloody painful.

thanks for all the help, I honestly can’t believe this is still a problem after all this time! Also sorry to hear so many other people have experienced similar problems😞

ive actually just noticed that one of the newer cuts is much worse than I first thought, it looks deeper thank I realised. I could bloody scream I’m so fed up with this all!

If you haven't seen a specialist yet then don't despair! Have you googled to see if there is a vulval/gynaecological dermatologist in your area?

I’m actually considering going to a&e for it tbh, not sure if that’s overkill but I’m worried it’s not going to clear up itself, but maybe I’d be better waiting to phone the GP in the morning. I think I’ll make another thread since this is more about the ongoing thing and ask advice about going to a&e. Thank you so much everyone again for helping me 👍🏻

Go!

You sound absolutely miserable and if there's an infection you need antibiotics before it gets worse.

I think hospital/a&e docs see more diffrent stuff and are often better at diagnosis than GPs!

Take a bag with some comfort bits in and get yourself there!

Make sure they test you for diabetes too.

Hi, just wanted to post a quick update. I’ve had absolutely no improvement unfortunately, it’s not any worse though which is a relief too. I could actually burst into tears, I’m so exhausted with it all. I’ve had more antibiotics and creams etc and nothing is making any difference

i totally agree I need to see a specialist gynaecology dermatologist but unfortunately I need to save up first. starting to lose hope that I’ll get it fixed at all at this rate, whatever has infected it is not shifting at all

This is awful, OP. What does your GP say when you ask for a referral?

I would really try get to the nearest sexual health clinic tbh. I feel they are much more experienced in this field then GP’s. I know you said there are none in you area that cover your health board, do you have a friend who lives nearby one and could use their address? Or anything like that? Wishing you some answers

Hi OP. Sorry you are suffering. I'm not a GP or a gynaecologist, but I am a doctor who reads forums etc and this sounds exactly like lichen sclerosis. You need referral to a joint dermatology/gynaecology clinic and these should exist throughout the country although the wait can be long.

In the meantime the treatment is to first treat any infection (you mentioned that you thought it was infected in a previous post - if this isn't the case now, then that's fine, but if there's ongoing infection, you need more antibiotics).

Next, strong topical steroids (dermovate) twice daily until symptoms are under control (cracks and fissures can unfortunately take a while to heal, but certainly until itching and other skin changes under control). Once symptoms are under control, DON'T stop the steroids. Instead, gradually reduce the frequency of application while symptoms remain under control - eg go from twice daily to once daily, then after a few days, every other day and reduce slowly like this. Often, symptoms can then be kept at bay by using steroids every week or ten days for example. If at any point symptoms recur, go back to twice daily and repeat the weaning process more slowly.

Thirdly - emollients to keep the skin moisturized and supple (which helps to prevent further cracking and helps existing ones to heal) apply two or three times a day and also use them as a soap substitute.

Things you can do - loose fitting underwear made from natural fabrics. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible.

Good luck, I hope it improves for you

My local hospital has a specialist genital dermatologist who I saw when I was getting my vaginal atrophy treated.

Maybe you could ask your GP if there's one in the area?

Can medical glue be used to seal the fissure?

Years ago I developed a fissure under my foot between toes and it was small, approximately one centimetre but showed no signs of healing and it was very painful.

It developed after going for a paddle in the sea and I then went clambering over rocks in bare feet!

It was a constant irritation and then my husband produced some glue that he had in a first aid kit from when he used to go mountaineering and the glue sealed the fissure shut and I had no more pain and it healed nicely underneath and the purple glue fell off like a scab.

I'm not sure I would go private as they might be less likely to give you a good answer because they are trying to make money from you. I would go to a and e and keep pestering

@chocolatesundae, I hope you've seen the who from @Jadebanditchillipepper.

• help

Hi- just posting an update. I still have the problem. It seems to be a cut down there that won’t heal and intermittently gets infected. When I made this initial post it was infected, it improved slightly but got infected again and has been infected ever since again. My doctor tried to put in a more urgent referral but it was rejected (I think because it’s not suspicious of cancer etc) so I can either wait to be seen routinely on the NHS or go privately which is realistically unaffordable but I’ll have to just make it work because this is awful so I’ve saved and have an appointment in a few weeks. I could burst into tears it’s been awful and I’m fed up of it, I’m hoping the private appointment will finally help

This might sound bonkers but have you thought about trying honey on the cut area? Buy the best manuka honey you can afford and put a bit on the sore area.

I really hope you get an answer!

Hey OP, just checking and seeing if you got this sorted? Experiencing similar...

It might help to tag her @chocolatesundae

Hope you’re feeling better.