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.

@Amiwrongforthis I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Definitely definitely a dermatologist. I'm horrified your GP hasn't already made a referral. I have similar problems and my GP made the referral after my 3rd visit. I was seen quickly.

How did they rule out lichen S? If they didn't biopsy they can't rule it out. A vulvar clinic like suggested above is really important. You've got quite a bit going on and need support and relief. Important they also rule out anything more sinister.

Good luck @Amiwrongforthis. From personal experience relief can be possible. I still have flair ups but nothing like what it was!

I had this and thought I had persistent thrush - turned out to be eczema. The GP told me to go to the sexual health clinic (I was mortified but it was totally the right call), they referred me to a specialist who diagnosed me. Thin layer of steroid cream to settle it, keep bits moisturised and dry thoroughly.

I basically had torn skin to begin with, and was in a lot of pain and discomfort. I also realised that over the years I thought I’d be prone to thrush, but actually it was eczema.

Tampons were better than pads as it kept the skin drier.

Maybe a bleach bath? 1/4C bleach in a tub of water. It's great for eczema, and it's gentle enough for your intimate parts (I used to sit in one with my daughter when she was little and we were testing her eczema).

Op, could it be lichen sclerosis?

I had itching for years that drove me crazy. I was using Ecover washing powder & liquid. I switched to Surcare thinking it might be the fragrances etc. No joy. Eventually switched again to Aldi's Almat and the itching has completely gone. Literally went almost overnight. Might be worth switching again and seeing if it helps?

Have you changed your diet to rule out allergy’s?

Thank you everyone for your advice I have spoken to doctors who have given me 6 month course of fluconazle, epiderm to wash and cream with and lotriderm steroid cream. I asked for dermatologist referral they said they will send me to their gynae specialist doctor and then once see her they will do referral. I tried to be more determined but I felt a bit defeated even with her seeing how long long this has been going on for and all the swabs etc. I'll take on board all suggestions and see what else I can include to help me too.

@Amiwrongforthis

Thank you everyone for your advice I have spoken to doctors who have given me 6 month course of fluconazle, epiderm to wash and cream with and lotriderm steroid cream. I asked for dermatologist referral they said they will send me to their gynae specialist doctor and then once see her they will do referral. I tried to be more determined but I felt a bit defeated even with her seeing how long long this has been going on for and all the swabs etc. I'll take on board all suggestions and see what else I can include to help me too.

How ridiculous that they want you to see someone else. Poor show. If you have any resistance with the gynae doctor then point out to them that you’d like it noted on your records that you requested a referral and they refused...

Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

Op, take a picture of you ladies bits and see if there’s any change in skin colour and white patches round to the Anus. It’s what I did.

If it is lichen sclerosus: no hot baths, try to limit sugar in your diet, and use lube daily to help with moisture and itch. Careful with using steroid creams for too long if you can. Good luck!

I have a benign pituitary tumour which has been a problem since I was in my 20s. It causes oestrogen and progesterone levels to drop when it is active. I take medication to control it but the side effects can be a pain so when my hormone levels are back to normal I stop taking them. One of the first symptoms I get when the tumour becomes active again is chronic vulval itching.
Low oestrogen and progesterone cause dryness and I have noticed that one of the side effects of HRT is less general dryness and irritation.
Hopefully your gynae will have a good look at your hormone levels, it doesn’t take much of a variation to create problems.

Hello @Amiwrongforthis we're just moving this thread over to Womens' Health - hopefully, you'll find some answers soon.

Have you tried looking at your diet? I used to get a lot of skin and tummy issues, lots of thrush, all sorts of stuff going on, and was diagnosed with histaminosis (hard diagnosis to get btw, it’s not well recognized in the uk). I switched to a low histamine, zero cow dairy diet and have never looked back. There’s a strong link between histamine and eczema/ asthma /hay fever. As a basic rule, tomatoes, aubergine, potatoes (not sweet potatoes), nuts other than almonds and hazelnuts, spinach, mushrooms and seafood are all very high in histamine, though there are other foods on the list too. It can’t hurt to try!