Experience with vulvar contact dermatitis

[KB1987]

Hey lovelies. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with a red rash in vulvar area. I have a red rash on both sides off entrance to vagina that runs up to my inner lips on both sides. The red rash also has like wee white bumps over the redness. I've been to the Dr's 3 times for swabs etc that all came back clear. I think it's more related to an allergic reaction because symtoms got alot alot worse when using canestasn cream but it's been weeks since I've used thar, I've also stopped using baby wipes after going to the toilet two weeks ago as I thought that was my problem. I'm also just using water now to wash. My dr did pescribe me 1 percent hydrocortisone but was only allowed it for 5 days. The only thing that seems to be easing the burning and soreness is aveeno oats bath but I'm wondering if there is anything else I can buy to put on that could maybe speed up the healing off the rash as its been 6 weeks now and it's making me so miserable and down. I'm just clueless as to what to put on that will be very gentle and not irrate it more. I tried a thin layer off vaseline yesterday but that definitely made it feel worse so I washed it off

[Tree_Tops]

If you feel like you have a skin condition, I would ask for a referral to a vulvar dermatologist.I would refrain from using creams, especially anti-fungal creams, when you haven't tested positive for an infection, as this can further irritate the vulva.

In terms of your pain, I would ask your GP about amitriptyline or nortriptyline (they're tricyclic antidepressants that can treat nerve pain at low doses).

I hope this information helps.

[KB1987 in reply to Tree_Tops]

Thank you for the reply. I could ask for a refferel but that will take a good while. I've bought emoilents that I can try in the meantime as a soap substitute as the discomfort is really uncomfortable

[Tree_Tops in reply to KB1987]

My dermatologist advised me to use Cetraben or E45 cream. Have you had a recent blood test to check your hormone levels?

[KB1987 in reply to Tree_Tops]

No that might be a good idea as I'm 37 and I've been on the progesterone impant for 18 years. I will ask my GP if they will do that. Great advice about the creams. Do you use them on your body and your vulvar area?

[KB1987 in reply to KB1987]

My GP did think contact dermatitis originally, as I used to love bubble baths and peppermint bath salts and I used baby wipes for years until 2 weeks ago. So many things have presertives in it and fragrance so I've chipped away everything. It was getting better but unfortunately my period last week had flared it up again so was back to the burning pain on Saturday night and soreness. The rash in the inside off the lips does look very red and angry which makes me think some sort off contact dermatitis or Allergic reaction to something

[Tree_Tops in reply to KB1987]

Is there anything that precipitated the pain?Pain in the vulva can be caused by a multitude of reasons, two of them being low estrogen and testosterone levels. If your GP suspects contact dermatitis and your symptoms persist, I would suggest asking for patch testing to identify the allergen.

In the meantime, here are some self-help measures that come to mind:

• Avoid bubble baths, perfumed soaps, vaginal hygiene products and douches.

• Don’t use scented toilet paper or wipes.

• Use plain lukewarm water to wash your vulva and always wash after you’ve had sex.

• Wash your underwear in a non-bio washing powder and avoid fabric softener.

• Opt for 100% white cotton underwear.

• Avoid tights and tight-fitting trousers.

I have vulvodynia, which is a chronic pain condition of the vulva that lasts for more than three months and has no identifiable cause. However, this doesn't mean your vulvar pain will be chronic like mine, as it can resolve with treatment or on its own.

[KB1987 in reply to Tree_Tops]

Aww you poor thing having your chronic condition. I really feel for you on that one you poor thing.

OK so it all started with a UTI and 2 courses off antibiotics later finally cleared it up but on my first course the irration started down below with burning feeling. It is always mostly a burning feeling, I'm so uncomfortable with pants on so I do air it as much as I can, there is definitely inflammation there as the redness starts at entrance to vagina on both sides and goes all the way up into the inner lips but alot more red in the inner lips, its more roaring red there. I pray it isn't something that's going to turn chronic.

Great tips about the all self care, I've started washing my underwear in just plane water in a cycle and airing down there as much as possible. I do have hydrocortisone 1 percent I can put on but I can only use it short term.

[KB1987]

I've also ordered bamboo toilet roll incase it's the audrex toilet roll causing my problems as I was so used to wet wipes for years and changed to audrex 2 weeks ago. If you don't mind me asking do you have redness and inflammation with your chronic condition? I'm going on holiday next Saturday and the problems with my ho ha are making me dread it as I'm so uncomfortable

[Tree_Tops in reply to KB1987]

I experience a daily burning pain in my inner labia and vestibule (I believe it was caused by recurrent bacterial vaginosis). My vulva sometimes looks red, and in the past, I've been given Clotrimazole (Canesten) and topical steroids, which only exacerbated the burning pain.Whenever I saw the GP, they would take swabs and if there was no infection, I was told it was all in my head. It eventually got worse over the years to the point where I couldn't wear underwear or sit down. This is why I asked to be referred to a vulvar dermatologist, as I thought I could have a skin condition. However, she ruled out skin conditions and prescribed me nortriptyline to treat the pain, starting at a low dose and then increasing each week (up to 60mg). She told me that the nerves under my skin had become hypersensitive, and that I would notice a difference after about 3 weeks, with it taking around 9 months to reset them. I've felt an improvement, but I still experience a significant amount of burning pain on a daily basis. Now I see a pain specialist who has recently increased my dose from 60mg to eventually 100mg (I'm currently on 70mg).

All I can say is don't be like me who allowed myself to be fobbed off for years (this also happened when I was experiencing debilitating period pain and eventually chronic pelvic pain, which turned out to be endometriosis, but that's a whole other story). If your symptoms persist, be prepared to advocate for yourself, as many medical professionals are sadly not educated on vulvodynia. It may be easier to treat the pain the quicker you address it. Fingers crossed, I hope you get this sorted!

[KB1987]

You poor poor thing. That all sounds awful. Thank you so much for all the advice. I still think mine is related to an allergic reaction as down below feel like it's on fire, especially after urinating, it's like im peeing on inflammed skin. Ouch I've started water over it after urinating, I also get itchy as well but mostly burning atm

[Tree_Tops in reply to KB1987]

No worries! I remember someone saying on Reddit that she thought she had vulvodynia, but it turned out to be an embedded UTI. Here's a link to the website with information about the symptoms and treatment, if you're interested: chronicutiinfo.com/treatment/

[KB1987 in reply to Tree_Tops]

Brilliant thank you. I also looked into your condition on google and mind body connection came up. Please look into that as it may be your answer for healing. There is a guy on You Tube called pain free you. He has healed thousands off people. Any thing that causes pain after 3 months that turns chronic is all being created in the brain, it's all to do with nureal pathways in the brain

[MaggieSylvie]

I've just had fitted a bidet attachment to my two toilets. The one downstairs is powerful! So refreshing.