Itching Down Below (title edited by MNHQ at request of the OP)

[Attendreetesperer]

In my vaginal area - I’ve just been for a wee and I could have cried. I have been struggling now for months, I treated it once for thrush but have just since hoped symptoms would go away. But I had a bath and used a tampon whilst in. Normally only use pads. The burning as I got out was really really bad. Then stinging burning as I wee. Odd sporadic itch near my bum since this started. Maybe once a day.

I don’t know whether I have bad thrush. Cystitis or threadworms. I don’t have children and obsessionally wash my hands, but there’s something going on!! My vaginal area itches alllllllllllll the time without burning. What’s going on?

For now, dont use any soaps or products. Water only. And I wouldn’t bath. Shower only. Any product might be excerbating irritation and although soothing when you’re bathing the damp and warmth might be too. I suffer from dermatitis in this area and this is what I have always been advised and definitely helps mine.

I have lichens sclerosis. It’s very itchy and like peeing through razor blades until it’s treated. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I must say I didn't 'get' why you titled this thread, "London's burning". Your vulvo-vaginal area could be burning in any city :-). It was misleading, my first thought was that a big fire had broken out somewhere in the capital, maybe Battersea power station.

This is Mumsnet, the overwhelming majority of posters are women of all ages and we all have minges.

'Burning sensation' would have been a better title, most of us would have assumed it was genital and had it been about your feet, we'd have had a surprise and told you to put Vick's vapour rub on the soles :-). Warning: do not put Vick's anywhere near your nether regions.

Sorry to add, if you have to wash your hair, over the side of the bath only.
Also, Emollin Spray is a godsend. A quick spritz in the general area, before any bowel movement or pee provides a protective barrier to further irritation.

I didn’t think Henry was being particularly controlling or creepy but definitely nosy and overstepping boundaries. Helen dealt with it surprisingly calmly- she should have used it as a lesson in why it’s important to respect others privacy.
edit: Wrong thread- meant for the Archers thread - huge apologies- can MN HQ please remove

This is all correct. Just drink water water water.

Oh op. This has been going on months?

Fire off an econsult and get a pee sample sent in for starters, take it from there.
Or, use 111 it is what it is for if you can't get an appointment. Buy some canestan otc and see if that helps the itch. Google these things.

How old are you, if in your 40s it could be genito urinary issues related to peri. Or, as others have said just a uti. When you submit a sample ask for 2 pots then you have a spare for if it happens again.

The amount of misinformation on this thread is terrifying: I really think that MN should ban medical content.

1. Do NOT drink cranberry juice for a UTI - this was debunked years ago; it makes the symptoms worse.
2. Needing to give a urine sample does not limit you to a doctor's appointment only: pharmacists can test for you.
3. Do not listen to people on here who say "You've got this/that/whatever": no-one can diagnose you over the internet, and you probably have a combination of issues.

The only sensible advice has been that you should seek medical help without delay. Good luck.

When you pee is the pain 'inside', do you have a fever and the shakes and urgency to pee? Those are hallmarks of UTI .

I've had recurrent thrust before and it also hurt when I peed but more 'on the outside' due to little cuts/irritation from the thrush.

I'd ask for treatment for both. It doesn't help that the antibiotics for UTI can often leave you with thrush .....

Cranberry juice is a waste of time and a complete myth.
It contains only trace amounts of D mannose, you'd be better off buying D mannose on amazon, that's what prevents UTIs.

Are you using scented toilet paper or sanitary pads?

Well it’s worked every time for me within about 30 mins. It’s definitely not a myth, although it may not help everyone every time. Also, it was a stopgap suggestion until op could get to the drs this morning. How long would an Amazon order take? Presumably at that time of night/morning, the earliest would be tomorrow - by which time the op will hopefully have been seen and properly diagnosed.

you need to be seen by a doctor. Ring up your gp and stay on the phone and you will have to fight through the receptionist and say it's urgent. If they won't listen do you have a hospital with an urgent care centre near you (not the same as an and e)? This would qualify for a visit. Or try 111. Drink lots and lots of water and don't get in a bath with anything like bubbles or soap as that might irritate your skin further.
why did you wear a tampon in the bath? Your blood flow stops on the water so you're fine going in without one.

Could this be an sti? I’d get to the doctors to check for everything.

Stop all the second guessing and call your GP and explain the pain you're in. Why waste time messing around when you could be getting worse .

'The only sensible advice has been that you should seek medical help without delay. Good luck.'

Well, yes but the op said it's been going on months you'd have thought that would've occurred to her.

Sometimes people saying the obvious 'this could be a uti/an sti/anything and needs treatment' is not a bad thing.

No one has suggested it is nothing to worry about and to ignore it, which would be bad advice.

I agree. Go to gp, don’t just get antibiotics without finding out what it is.

Is there any chance you are peri menopausal? Dryness or atrophy can cause burning sensation I think - though the cowboy walk is more uti.

Yup.

They will have seen plenty of “ Londons” .

Cystitis can make the vagina area burn. Mine do. I have recurring cystitis due to peri and I know it is coming on due to a stinging vagina. Quite why you have waited months to get it looked at I am not sure. No one can diagnose you on here and absolutely do not buy anything from amazon until you know what you are dealing with. Manose has never worked for me in any case. I have preventative anti biotics but only after a proper prognosis process which included a hospital consult. Go to your GP and dont feel worried about going to the GP in the future. You have actually ended up putting more pressure on the surgery and yourself by needing an urgent appointment when it didnt need to be. 111 can sometimes prescribe anti biotics, they have with me twice before but very much depends on whether you have an urgent care centre near by.

I have lichen sclerosis. The itching was horrendous and peeing felt like razor blades. You need to see a GP . If it's LS then you need a steroid cream prescribed.

Suggest you change the thread title. Lots of people live in London or have loved ones there. Fire can be very triggering. The anniversary of the fire at Grenfell Tower is only a few weeks away. People will see it and worry there’s a huge fire with potential loss of life.

Sounds very uncomfortable. Cranberry juice, pharmacist, and if they recommend, GP appointment.

The last time I had cystitis I went to get the powder from the pharmacy and he prescribed me antibiotics there and then. If you don’t have time today to get an appointment get the pharmacy and stay the course then phone the doctor in case it’s something else. At least you’ll have started your antibiotics

It does sound like thrush. Can sometimes require 2/3 treatments to get rod of it. While you’re waiting for GP appointment, try another round of thrush treatment.

Also “Itchy Vagina” may attract the posters who can actually help op.

There are probably loads of London firemen diligently checking this thread …

How old are you OP? Could it be the start of perimenopause causing dryness and itchiness?