Help, I’m so itchy down below

[Hopelesslove]

so about 9 days ago I started feeling itchy and sore round my vaginal
entrance. No discharge but I presumed it was thrush so bought the canesten oral tablet and the cream. 9 days on and I’m still really itchy: it’s worse at night in bed. I’ve been using the cream 3-4 times a day and took another tablet today! My clitoris is so itchy. The cream seems to sooth for a couple of hours then symptoms come back with a vengeance.
Ive made a GP -appointment, but this isn’t until Thursday (5 days from
now) and I’m supposed to be going on holiday next weekend.

whst can I do in the meantime? Any ideas?

I haven’t got a smelly vaginal discharge so don’t think it’s bacterial vaginitis (as per Google)

No advice, but I’m in the same situation- also been using the cream, doesn’t seem to be working. I haven’t changed washing powders or shower gels etc either so no idea what’s caused it or why it won’t go 😖

Wow, I could've written this even down to the time frame!
Canesten relieved itching for like 2 seconds and then it burned so I stopped using it
It doesn't seem like thrush, unless its dry thrush?

I dont know but Its bloody unbearable, the itch make me jump sometimes and I have to lie down with my legs apart (TMI)
It is focused on the clitoris/ uretha area??
Im also very sore and becomes swollen,
When I looked with the mirror, it looked strangely dry/grey
So I am guessing it could be eczema or something ??
Also it could be bv, not every one has the strong smell, especially if you keep washing down below the smell might not be as noticeable.

The only thing I can suggest to you is salt water,
Pour it with a jug on to your bits and it numbs the itching
Followed by icy cold water from the tap, stops the itching instantly for a little while÷
And maybe something to help if you have dryness like vaseline ?
I also roll a towel between legs, for some reason it helps.

I have to wait until Monday for clinic I will post what they say, but I have absolutely no faith that they will know whats wrong, they never do

You can try yogurt

Forgot to add that I've had this more than once and I suspect it could be something to do with my cycle and hormones, because after I get my period, the itching goes eventually

Maybe plain live yogurt liberally smeared all over, long shot but it worked for me in a similar thrush-type situ. Is there a reason your biome might be out of kilter, you had antibiotics or another strong medication?

Have you had vigorous sex lately?

Can I ask how old you are? I developed this symptom during perimenopause/menopause. Turned out to be an evil thing called lichen sclerosis. It’s probably best if you can actually be seen by a doctor (but I know how difficult that can be.) I found that my itch was alleviated by Cerave SA wash (salicylic acid). That area is supposed to be very slightly acidic. I just water it down in my hand in the shower before I use it. (Don’t use it neat)

I was going to suggest possibly lichen sclerosus, as well.

Could be peri menopause vaginal atrophy, oestrogen cream will help.

Vagisil cream has local anaesthetic in it & numbs the itching. A warm bath with salt or Epsom salts will sooth the inflamed skin, gently pat dry & use the Vagisil cream, don't use soap, if you have to wash use Aqueous cream. Get a doctor's appointment as you may need swabs to be done. Cotton knickers, wash them in non bio detergent & fabric softener.

I’m 41.
I last had sex 3 weeks ago but the symptoms started over a week after I last had sex.
I’ve had a look with a mirror and it all looks normal! No discharge, normal colour etc.
I’m going to phone the local sexual health clinic on Monday and see if they can see me sooner.
thank you for all your replies. I’ll try an Epsom salt bath tomorrow

Oh I’ll go and get some vagisil tomorrow too - thanks

@Hopelesslove ah I feel for you!! I had this too and spent a small fortune on remedies that did not work. Eventually got referred fo dermatology who diagnosed vaginal eczema. Prescribed a super strong steroid cream for immediate use and milder one for maintenance and cleared if all up within a couple of weeks.
Hope you get sorted!!

Do you have young children? Horrid I know but the fact that it’s worse in bed at night made me wonder about worms…

I came on to suggest (reluctantly) threadworms

Scented toilet paper? DH bought some and I have said never again!

I thought worms too

Thoroughly recommend Germolene while you're waiting to see gp.

Sounds like lichen sclerosis symptoms to me too, I was diagnosed at about 22 and it’s bloody dire. I remember crying while going for a wee from the burning feeling! Mine is well controlled (fingers crossed) hope you can get some answers and sorted.

Was just going to recommend vagisil as others have already it's excellent

I had something similar, the itching drove me insane. I found relief smothering the whole area in sudocreme! It’s a bit messy but the relief was immense.
In the end, my test came back positive for BV, I also didn’t have any strange discharge or smell. The doctor gave me 4 (or was it 6? Can’t remember) huge antibiotics that sorted it out!

Do you have hot baths regularly, that can really dry the area out. I used have itching all the time as I always had baths but since we have had a shower fitted, these symptoms have gone completely l. I also agree with pp about scented toilet paper which can be a trigger

I had similar to this earlier in the year, self treated for thrush. It didn't go away so thought it must have been something else.
Got tested after an intolerable 4 more weeks and came back that I had thrush, second treatment and it cleared up straight away. May be worth trying again with the canesten?

Ive suffered on and off with thrush and find daktarin better than canestan. The canestan once seemed to really irritate me more. Also natural yoghurt ( sometimes put it on a tampon and put it on) gave me so much relief, was so soothing.

Overnight I had an epiphany! Funny that several of you mentioned toilet paper- I had to restock the bathroom late last night and noticed that the toilet paper is in fact scented- we usually have Tesco own brand but it wasn’t available so I had to buy little duck supreme(from Tesco) as it was the most affordable big pack and we go through many rolls a week as a family of 5.

I hadn’t even noticed it was scented as it doesn’t smell that strong unless put against nose but now I’m convinced that’s what’s causing this- we opened the pack around a week ago so ties in exactly with how long I’ve been itching!!

off to Tesco today to buy some unscented rolls! Do you think it would be ok for the men of the household to use or should I just bin the remaining 18rolls??