Thrush or skin condition?

Hello,

I’ve suffered from thrush for years now and recently had another positive swab.

My GP has prescribed a double dose tablet to take every week for 3 months to try and clear it but I’ve seen no improvement yet (it’s been 4 weeks) and the itching is driving me mad.

I just wondered if anyone else had needed to have a regular treatment like this for thrush and if you saw an improvement?

I don’t know if it could be thrush and also another skin condition (Lichen sclerosus? Eczema?) as my vulva is dry, flaky and sore and my itching means the skin is constantly being damaged. It’s so hard to think about anything else.

I was just hoping I wasn’t alone really.

(My initial appointment was over the phone with myself doing the swab due to the COVID regulations.)

[clareB43]

Hi,

I was given thrush treatment multiple times which didn’t really help and turned out I had lichen sclerosus.

Go back to your GP and say the treatments not helping and you want to be referred to a vulval dermatologist.

In the meantime you could try a a antihistamine and hydrocortisone cream to see if that helps and don’t use any perfumed products to wash with etc.

Emollients like Dermol and emulsifying ointment to wash and moisturisers will help.

Clare

[Hidden in reply to clareB43]

Thank you - I will call my GP on Monday.

I can’t live like this anymore and definitely need someone to examine me. Hopefully they will listen.

[AskEveTeam]

Hello there,

Poor you, it sounds as though you are having a miserable time.

It may be that as you say where you are itching ( scratching ?) you are making the skin sore and dry. How about trying an unscented moisturiser on the skin to help soothe the symptoms.

It may be worth looking at your diet also as this can sometimes affect the natural flora of the vagina making it harder to get rid of the thrush

. Here is an FAQ blog about vaginal microbiome:

eveappeal.org.uk/our-resear...

Best Wishes,

The Ask Eve Team

[redcabbage]

I have Eumovate (clobetasone) cream for lichen sclerosus, but in a period before a biopsy when they didn't want me to use it, I was told to use E45 and I still often do use it - it can be enough to calm down the itching, etc.