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Daughter has vulval cysts (I think) and we are camping

15 replies

redblonde · 15/08/2023 09:55

As per title my teen daughter has said she has painful lumps on her vulva which sound like they might be cysts. We are camping in rural France and while I'm happy to find a doctor to take a look, it seems that sitting in warm water a few times a day can help the situation. But no baths on the campsite so all I've been able to come up with is a warm wet flannel. Maybe several showers a day? Anyone any suggestions? Thanks.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/08/2023 15:25

If she shaved they might be ingrown hairs. Yes warm showers and warm flannel is a good idea, bit of antiseptic cream over night too wouldn't hurt.

dreamingofstars · 15/08/2023 15:30

Iv had bartholin cysts before before and they can be incredibly painful. Most times for me, a warm hot bath several times a
day has eased them and they’ve gone away thankfully. One time I did need antibiotics. Are they quite painful? She may require some antibiotics, how long are you away for till you return home? In meantime, shower morning and night I would say and hot flannel, painkillers (pain dependent). I hope she’s feeling better soon.

ravenia · 15/08/2023 15:34

I'm just recovering from them - they turned out to be boils, not cysts. Insanely painful, eased slightly by hot showers and warm flannels - popped by themselves in a hot shower and the relief was insane (albeit very gross!)

How long are you away for? I still spiked a fever and am on antibiotics, so possibly get in to see a doctor as soon as you get home (or if she gets worse while there - at it's worst I honestly couldn't sit/walk/stand without seeing stars). My sympathies to your daughter, they're horrible to have

brisedusoir · 15/08/2023 15:39

@redblonde no suggestions unfortunately but if you do need to find a doctor you can use doctolib https://www.doctolib.fr that generally works very well. Just be warned that doctors in France can be a lot less "patient orientated" - no chaperones - and a no nonsense approach to telling you to get undressed etc so If I were you I'd stay with your daughter during the consult.

Doctolib : Prenez rendez-vous en ligne chez un praticien

Trouvez rapidement un spécialiste près de chez vous et prenez rendez-vous gratuitement en ligne en quelques clics

https://www.doctolib.fr

ToBeOrNotToBee · 15/08/2023 15:40

Epsom salt poultice will help too. You can buy it in a pharmacy.

GotMooMilk · 15/08/2023 15:41

If she has new painful lumps on her vulva I’d be taking her to a doctor. You need to know what they are before you can start managing them really!

Justgonefishing · 15/08/2023 15:48

is she sexually active?

redblonde · 15/08/2023 19:18

Thanks all - she is sexually active (but it's not STI) and I'm taking her to a doctor tomorrow - thanks for the warning, she's a bit nervous so I'll stick to her like glue (obv unless she says not to!)

OP posts:
redblonde · 16/08/2023 12:32

Well turns out I was wrong - they straight away said herpes. She's devastated she and her boyfriend are each others first partners so no idea how it's happened. I feel distraught for her but trying to reassure her.

OP posts:
hopeishere · 16/08/2023 12:35

Oh dear. Hopefully they were able to give her something to help in the meantime.

Clymene · 16/08/2023 12:38

redblonde · 16/08/2023 12:32

Well turns out I was wrong - they straight away said herpes. She's devastated she and her boyfriend are each others first partners so no idea how it's happened. I feel distraught for her but trying to reassure her.

He could have had a cold sore when he gave her oral sex?

Otherwise he's lying.

Clymene · 16/08/2023 12:38

I'm really sorry, she must be devastated

betterchange · 16/08/2023 12:41

Here's some facts that might reassure your daughter:

Herpes virus (HSV) comes in 2 varieties. One variety prefers the lips, causing cold sores; the other prefers the genitals, causing genital herpes. Both are infectious, and it's possible to be carrying the virus and not have any signs of it yourself.

Although the different types of HSV have different "areas of preference", that is not cast in stone. It's perfectly possible to get an attack of genital herpes caused by the type that usually causes cold sores. If that happens, the attack is often less severe and a bit less likely to recur.

It's not difficult to spread herpes by oral sex, if the other person has a cold sore (even if it's not very obvious), or you can "autoinoculate" on your fingers if you have a cold sore yourself - or, of course, your partner can spread it on their fingers if they touch a cold sore then your genitals.

So it doesn't automatically mean that either of them has been playing away. Nonetheless they should both go for a full STI screen when they get home, of course.

Meanwhile, has she been given any antivirals (eg aciclovir)? Bathe regularly and gently in salt water, don't use soap etc, and if she can take ibuprofen, that can help.

Disclaimer -- used to work in sexual health.

redblonde · 16/08/2023 14:14

Thank you so much for the advice. I will reassure her about how she might have got it. She has been prescribed an antiviral and for him too and paracetamol. Hopefully it will ease for her soon

OP posts:
watyawant · 16/08/2023 14:22

Oh I feel for her, poor lass

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