Aibu to ask for advice on intimate body parts care? Feel like it will never end.

[Amiwrongforthis]

I'm at my wits end and just looking for advice support/be told I'm not alone 😢

I have suspected eczema in my private area. I have been to the gp about 25 times over the last few years (after about 6yrs of trying to 'deal' with it myself being to embarrassed to go gp) they said it looks like I have ezcema and provided me steroid cream to use. I also suffer recurrent thrush, possibly from having to use the steroid cream, I don't know but it's just a mess. I have really just given up hope with trying to get this under control. My skin gets so dry but I can't just use cream as it will more than likely give me thrush I feel like I'm in a constant cycle of never ending dry skin/taking medication/trying different creams.

I have had numerous bloods and all fine I take optibac daily but I feel like I'm constantly dealing with dry itchy skin. I know no one is qualified to give medical advice but I just needed to get this off my chest as I'm too embarrassed to speak to anyone about this.

Second that you need to push for a referral to dermatology. It's a separare specialised area of medicine so most gynaecologists won't have in depth knowledge. Lichen sclerosis is chronically misdiagnosed by GPs - dermatology may need to do a biopsy to confirm if its eczema, LS etc and get you on the right treatment path. LS needs to be monitored carefully so important to diagnose correctly if present.

I was diagnosed with vulvar eczema by a vulval dermatologist (who knew they existed?!) in my late 20s. I think it was triggered by a bout of thrush and wearing a damp bikini on holiday.

Symptoms were itching, little sore places like tiny paper cuts, and “rubbings” of skin a bit like when you rub something out with an eraser. Also painful sex.

I was given a steroid cream to use when needed. Not Canesten but something else - yellow/white tube and prescription only. Locoid possibly. Plus aqueous wash for the shower (but I mostly just used water). I also, tbh, avoided having sex much for a couple of years. It lasted several years before it went completely.

Definitely push for a dermatology referral- you need specialist advice.

Oh and it definitely wasn’t lichen sclerosis in my case. I believe the difference is that LS leaves thickened scarred type areas whereas ezcema doesn’t.

@StanfordPines

Do you still have periods? If so what protection do you use? I found I used to get it when I used disposable towels. As soon as I changed to reusables it went. Now I’m on a progesterone only pill and don’t have periods. It’s stopped completely now, as has the thrush.

Yes to irritation from disposable pads. Some have the granules or gel in to absorb fluid and they cause irritation with me.

I switched over to washable pads and also use disposable eco pads when I can’t take washable (naturacare iirc don’t have granules in them just cottton for absorbency)

I’d also get yourself a little jug and rinse with water after every pee so ammonia isn’t potentially irritating you and don’t dry with loo roll as that can be too rough and irritating but try patting dry with a flannel. Yes it’s a bit of a faff but you’ll be ruling out all other causes of irritation.

Thank you all I will push for dermatologist referral and give the gp a call tomorrow as I can't keep living like this.

I am following most of the advice given already and will try the recommendations I haven't tried to see if they help.

I already take thrush tablets weekly to help treat the thrush.

I don't believe it to be psoriasis as its not red in colour (please correct if I'm wrong there) it's looks like very dry skin I'm light brown skinned so it just looks white and dry. Usually looks better if I apply the zero base but I feel like that also doesn't help when I have thrush. It's honestly a never ending cycle. I feel so lost.

I do still have periods I'm using the implant contraception I would much rather stop my periods all together as this doesn't help so considering switching to the mini pill as that stopped my periods previously. Also looking at laser hair removal as if I shave/trim it irritates the skin and if I go natural it doesn't help with the itching.

I know the above isn’t the cause but can exacerbate problems. Just to make that clear.

Another vote for a proper probiotic. Not yoghurts.

I second the referral to dermatology/gynae. Also, if you wax/epilate/shave it can make dryness worse and can cause itchiness that can be mistaken for thrush.

Can anyone recommend a good probiotic yogurt or drink or anything like that (preferably not a horrible tasting one I can't stomach bad taste I will throw up)

Definitely look up Lichen sclerosus, it causes white dry patches on your vulva, and ask for dermatologist referral

White patches could point towards Lichen Sclerosis.

Were you given instructions to tail down the steroid treatment or do you just stop cold? If the latter then this could be creating a vicious cycle due to steroid withdrawal. In terms of dermatology steroid treatment can definitely make things worse if used incorrectly.

@LittleBirdBlu

Definitely look up Lichen sclerosus, it causes white dry patches on your vulva, and ask for dermatologist referral

I've looked that up but don't think my symptoms resemble them but I will definitely push for dermatologist referral. It's not so much dry patches I'm getting more overall dryness around the entire area.

*sclerosus
Phone is auto correcting

I don't think it resembles LS as when I use cream on the area its 'helps' moisturise it so it doesn't look so dry but it's definitely not white patches per se

Ask for some swabs to be taken if you haven't had done.

Main thing is get a dermatologist appointment - GPs get about one days training on dermatology and it shows. (I have lifelong eczema and I have a good GP but he is useless for this.)

The NHS dermatology waiting list is very long. Could you possibly go private? - probably 2-300 for an appointment - they can then send the prescription through to your GP and also ask the GP to do any bloods, so as going private goes, it's not too £££

If you are anywhere near London I can recommend someone but otherwise find someone attached to a teaching hospital who works privately.

Honestly even very experienced vulval dermatologists will often do a biopsy to differentiate between eczema, LS etc so it's very difficult to judge by sight/symptoms. They will be able to help you, you just need to get through the GP gateway to the right service!

For me, Epsom salt baths and giving up diary literally cured my eczema after suffering with it since I was a baby (25 years)

One thing that can help with the dryness is Oilatum bath oil. I use the Oilatum Plus version but I can't remember the difference! Less irritating than a cream

Toilet roll? I switched to Andrex Gentle Clean after years of misery and gallons of canesten when I read about bleached toilet roll causing the issues I had. Only ever get a flare up if I forget to take my loo roll with me somewhere I'm going for the day and have to use bleached

I was being treated for LS after 12 months of back and forth visits to GP and Dermatology, ended up at gynecologist for another issue and was diagnosed with a Skene Gland infection that was running rampant. I was given Clobetasol cream which is a steroid and antifungal cream and it look weeks but it cleared up and hasn't come back in 3 years now. If i feel a little dry or itchy I pop a bit on just in case but it never has been.

use fem wash down there when in shower if i use any showergel in that area it sets me off,another thing try not to iche it i kniow its hard,non bio washing liquid/or power in your washer,fem wash has been a real relieve for me though,.thrush you say it might not be there is sonething else similar to thrush cant remember the name you might need to do as swab for the doctor to check are you run down this can be a sign could you be diabetic i am and had a lot of thrush till i found out i was good luck,also is your partner being trated by thrush treatment he could be giving it you back so the cycle goes on

Agree with PPs. I have been to dermatology and then the vulval clinic. Eventually diagnosed with vulval eczema. My treatment is a combination of Trimovate and emollient creams. Have to admit I often have flare ups and treatment is an ongoing commitment. Like eczema anywhere else, there is no magic pill you can take to cure this condition. Hope you get a proper diagnosis soon so you can start a plan to manage the symptoms.

@Amiwrongforthis

Thank you all I will push for dermatologist referral and give the gp a call tomorrow as I can't keep living like this.

I am following most of the advice given already and will try the recommendations I haven't tried to see if they help.

I already take thrush tablets weekly to help treat the thrush.

I don't believe it to be psoriasis as its not red in colour (please correct if I'm wrong there) it's looks like very dry skin I'm light brown skinned so it just looks white and dry. Usually looks better if I apply the zero base but I feel like that also doesn't help when I have thrush. It's honestly a never ending cycle. I feel so lost.

I do still have periods I'm using the implant contraception I would much rather stop my periods all together as this doesn't help so considering switching to the mini pill as that stopped my periods previously. Also looking at laser hair removal as if I shave/trim it irritates the skin and if I go natural it doesn't help with the itching.

Psoriasis is often missed in people with darker skin, as it doesn't look the same as it does on white skin.

Whilst flexural Psoriasis on a white person would be visibly red, it's still possible to have plaque Psoriasis in the same general area - and even then, it doesn't actually have to form obvious plaques; it can be just generally dry as a bone and, for want of a better word, ashy or dusty.

I'm actually allergic to Zerobase and Doublebase for some ridiculous reason, so if I use it, it just makes anywhere on my body drier and worse than before. But I'm OK with other variants, the ones with fewer ingredients (so ointments with liquid paraffin/petroleum jelly/beeswax and not much else). Ointments, not creams or lotions, are the only ones that make a difference as well.

Trimming to about half an inch is better than full length or nothing at all - they could both irritate far, far more than the irritation of a bikini clipper attachment.

There will be something out there that helps. It's just horrible in the process of finding it.