the itching is intense!!!!

[kygirltaytay]

hi to all. I'm sitting here even now trying not to grab a wire brush!!! how do you deal with the itching? I've tried different creams only to further irratete and inflame the lips of my vagina. now my clitoris is painfull to the touch. could this be something else all together?

[ICNDonna]

Have you talked to your doctor about this? Intense itching can be from a vaginal infection so you need to rule that out. It could also be an allergic reaction to soap, toilet tissue, underwear, etc., etc., etc.

One thing you might try in the meantime is to wet a tea bag and apply it to the itchy area for a few minutes to see if that helps.

Donna

[Ginny]

I agree with Donna. Sounds more like an infection or allergic reaction. See your doctor.

Ginny

[Sharon]

While I don't disagree that you should see a doctor to rule out an infection, I would like to add my 2 cents. Over the weekend, I stayed at a friends cabin on the lake. I used the toilet paper they had because it was suppose to be safe for their septic tank. The paper was plain white, and had no fragrance added to it. Well, I tell you what, after just three days, "that" area became sensitive and itchy. I switched back to my toilet paper and I'm feeling better already. I was never overly sensitive in that area until my IC worsen 7 years ago. So I would rule out an infection first, and then see if anything you may be using could be causing a problem for you.

Hope you find relief soon, 'cause I know how you feel!

[July]

I've been there! First, check with dr. to see if it is an infection of some sort (bacterial, yeast, etc.). My dr. always says to be sure that all soap is thoroughly rinsed off down there when showering so it does not leave a residue that can be irritating. Try a baking soda sitz bath. A handheld shower hose it helpful to rinse off. I got that advice from this great website!

[Marlana]

I sound very silly but what is a sitz bath? I have had this intense itching for over a year now, everytime I go to the Drs. they tell me they think it is yeast. They supposeldy test on the spot for BV but I always thought that had to be analyzed under a scope. Anyhow, I am leaning toward the VV myself. I treat myself with at least 7 or so monistat suppositoires a month and use lots of vagisil. I usually get about 10 days a month where I feel normal. I am looking for any relief ideas so if the sitz works, I want to know more. Thank you again!

[ese]

I'm down to about a week and a half of having a normal crotch . I have found that Band Aid antiseptic wash helps a lot - not just with the symptoms, but also with the rashiness. It has 2% lidiocaine in it also, which helps immediately relieve the itch.You may have an infection, so definately have it checked. I have found that vagisil and Monistat end up making me worse over the long haul, since its rarely an infection. I've been using the Band-Aid Antiseptic Wash for 2 months, and it has helped so much. If you decide to try it, I put on an Always panty liner (that's the only brand that I've found doesn't irratate me), squirt the stuff on, and leave it wet. The pantyliner absorbs the wetness and the medicine stays (at least for a few minutes before ou have to pee again ). I started out doing it quite frequently throughout the day. Now I only use it about 3 times a day. I'm about to start my period, which is usually the absolute worst time for itchiness and the redness, etc, but it hasn't been that awful bad this month. My bladder and pelvic area is still giving me a fit as usual, but at least the vulva area is only slightly irritated. Good luck, and I hope you find some relief!

[July]

A sitz bath is sitting in a bath of cool or lukewarm water for 10-20 minutes two or more times a day. The water should only be up to your hips/pelvic area. You can add soothing things to it. My dr. recommends two tablespoons baking soda and rub the vulva area gently with the palm of your hand. It helps, but I have found if I over do it it can actually make my symptoms worse. So be careful and observant about how you feel. Other people add other things, like Aveeno oatmeal is suppose to be soothing. ESE...how did you know to try the band-aide antiseptic?

[ese]

To be honest with you, the bottle was sitting on the back of the toliet where I had left it after using it on my child's scrapped knee. I was hurting pretty bad down there and my skin looked horrible. It looked kinda like my child's knee. So, I thought since it worked well on knee and elbow boo-boos, maybe it would work on a coochie-boo-boo , and it did :woohoo: !!

[kygirltaytay]

thanks to all of your responces. the ictching is intense only at times it's the kind of itch that the more you scratch the more it itches, does this sound weird? i have mentioned this to dr, she did pap, no infections, she thought maybe the urine leakage was irritating the vulva, as for soap i have used the same one for years. thanks again for the advice i'm currently looking for a urologist. god bless you all

[Peatie]

I get this on average 3-4 times a year. Its always the week before my period and starts for no apparent reason. I have been on the ic diet for a year and my food is pretty much the same week in week out.

I find aveeno to be the most relief followed by a hydrocortizone cream (if I am desperate to sleep) as Its a no-no. Much better than using a hairbrush though. I find that heat makes it worse so I live in skirts and hope each end of the month goes well and watch for the tell tale redness to start ...

Its not a virus, bacteria or anything you can take a germ pill for.

[ICNDonna]

When I develop an allergy, it's always been something I have used for a long time. I developed an allergy to the soap I had used for a long time --- it is unusual to have an allergic reaction on first contact.

I'm now allergic to tomatoes and had eaten them all of my life until one weekend, I developed a severe rash, which was tracked by my physician to tomato. And I had taken penicillin and sulfa many times before I developed my allergy to them.

Donna

[neal1044]

my gyno told me to us A&D ointment for the itching, it helps me a lot.

[Aimedes]

I have vulvodynia- (finally diagnosed for real) and I find the #1 thing that helps when I am about to lose my mind is ice. Some people say it is too cold, but I wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and put it there, usually over my underware. I've done this for years, not even knowing I had VD. Because I have a history of yeast infections, the doctors and myself just assumed that's what I always had. They gave me creams, I used over the counter stuff- but it always made everything worse. I thought I was just really sensitive, but it would put me into agonizing discomfort for weeks. So be careful if you have Vulvodynia or suspect it, because any kind of cream or fragrance or dye or residual paper from toilet paper can really cause discomfort. Now I shower with hypo-allergenic, dye free, fragrance free soaps and I don't let shampoo get down there (as the water runs off). Cool water is best and I only pat dry with soft towels that won't leave behind any fuzzies. I don't know if that helps you at all. I am still learning how to deal with it, but ice packs are definatetly my best friends. I use A & D also sometimes after I dry off, because i think my own skin sticks to itself and that causes pain. Anyway, sorry to run on and on- but one more thing--- you can buy (in most medical supply stores) a sitz bath basin that fits on top of the toilet. Sometimes that better than an actual bath for me because I don't want to get undressed. ok- done.

[SrMaggie]

I like A&D ointment for lots of things. Please check with your doc about using it though, if you haven't already. My FNP cautioned me against ointments that are oil based and not water based. I know what you mean about feeling as if the pain comes from the skin sticking together. That is what it feels like to me, too.
My FNP suggested I get a sitz also. I just haven't done it. My bathroom already has bunches of stuff in it for my comfort. There's just not room right now.