Genital area itching...help?

July 30, 2013 1:46 PM

I itch in a kind of specific spot in my genital area, and at kind of specific times and I'm hoping someone can help me get some relief.

First, I have a gyn appointment scheduled, but the soonest I can get in is two weeks. In the meantime, any thoughts on this?

My ladybits itch. Specifically, on the left side of the outside of the vagina, and back to the anus. Seems to be centered on the taint, basically. Most of the time, it's fine. It's a problem when I use the bathroom and wipe - all of a sudden it gets terribly itchy and I scratch it using the toilet paper and ugh, now it's irritated. Also, for some reason, it itches at night. So bad that I will wake up and have to have a serious scratching session before I can go back to sleep.

Possible factors/issues:
- I've been in to the doc once for similar itching, and was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Got medicine, took it, seemed to be okay for a couple weeks. But then it started up and seemed more localized to outside the vagina.
- I wear thongs during the day, sleep in the nude (things I shouldn't be saying on the internet?)
- Lately, I've been trying some hemorrhoid anti-itch cream, thinking maybe that was the problem - not much difference.

Did I maybe just irritate something? What can I do to keep this under control - and especially at night so I can get some rest?

posted by Heidelberg to Health & Fitness (15 answers total)

I would definitely see the doctor for what looks like something of a chronic problem. In the meantime I would use one of the moist towelette products instead of toilet paper. Also, an across the counter anti-itch cream might help. Finally, make an effort to give that area as much air as possible.
posted by txmon at 1:52 PM on July 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

A mild case of jock itch? (Link includes photo, FYI). I don't think there are any drawbacks to trying a regimen of OTC antifungal cream (clotrimazole or similar) while you wait for your appointment (hopefully someone will correct me if that's not the case).
posted by wreckingball at 1:55 PM on July 30, 2013

You may need to ditch the thongs for the time being. They might not be hurting anything but they're probably not helping. Before you go to bed, wash with mild soap and warm water and then dry the area with a hairdryer set on low, if you can.
posted by corey flood at 1:55 PM on July 30, 2013 [2 favorites]

Don't use the towelettes, they can be strong irritants. Get a wash bottle like this one and use it to rinse after you go to the bathroom. Don't rub with the toilet paper, just pat it dry.

Get some epsom salts at the drugstore, soak in the tub for 20 minutes a day with 4 inches of water and 1/4 cup salts, it does wonders for the itch. It will also help whatever irritation is going on.

Stop wearing thongs and don't slather creams on there until you see a doctor and figure out what it is.
posted by lydhre at 1:57 PM on July 30, 2013 [2 favorites]

See a doctor, but be nice to your vagina in the meantime.
- Dab or blot with your toilet paper (perhaps after suggested rinsing or even moist towelettes... I wouldn't intentionally leave it wet down there)
- Avoid thongs and let it breathe whenever possible. Comfortable, loose fitting and as close to 100% cotton panties - this is granny panties' time to shine. When I'm having "issues" I pull out these great cotton shorts and wear them around the house sans underwear. Almost as good as having nothing on.
- Flush the area with warm water when you're in the shower. As a rule of thumb you should probably not be washing your tutu with straight up body wash anyway, but especially avoid getting soaps, lotions, etc in the area as much as possible.
posted by rubster at 2:13 PM on July 30, 2013

I have found that the brand of tp I use makes a huge difference. Between the softeners and bleach they use to whiten, there's all kinds of opportunities for itch and irritation. When I switched to unbleached tp, it made a huge difference. I have tried all manner of moist wipes, and never really found an answer there, between the fragrance, alcohol, or other chemicals.
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:23 PM on July 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

I have a similar thing from time to time. Try the cream sold as the stuff to help with jock itch. If this is any yeast-related thing, it'll help a lot. You want cream with clotrimazole or something similar. At the very least, it won't hurt you.
posted by chowflap at 2:43 PM on July 30, 2013

I sounds like it could be yeast. Yeast can live for extended periods in your underwear depending on the material and washing methods, so you may be reinfecting yourself if it's a chronic thing. I'd imagine that thong underwear may be a better vector for reinfection as it's in much closer contact with the vulva. Yeast imbalance or infection can break-down delicate skin and this can lead to itching and burning as well as small fissures. You can try an over-the-counter yeast infection cream and see if it helps.
posted by quince at 3:07 PM on July 30, 2013

Witch hazel moist wipes, found in the hemorrhoid section.
posted by theraflu at 3:07 PM on July 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

Could it be pinworms? They are worse at night. If you're in the Eastern US, having a really wet, humid summer can be problematic. Corn starch is soothing and keeps things less moist.
posted by theora55 at 4:03 PM on July 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

There's a bunch of things it could be and you need to see your GYN asap. In the meantime, try an antifungal cream for a couple of days. If that doesn't help, try a low dose hydrocortisone cream. Vaginal dermatitis is a thing.
posted by yogalemon at 4:11 PM on July 30, 2013

I have Target-brand vagicaine cream--just for pain relief, not an antifungal. That might help until you can get to a doctor. It says you can apply "not more than 3 to 4 times daily", so that would definitely get you relief at bedtime and some relief during the day.

I don't wear thongs and don't know exactly how they fit, but I would recommend wearing underwear that don't rub against the area at all, just to cut down on possibilities of what *could* be causing the irritation.
posted by epj at 5:21 PM on July 30, 2013

Seconding, horrifyingly, pinworms. The waking up at night bit is what makes me think of it--my daughter had them, and she'd wake up in the middle of the night, desperately itchy. The good news is that you can get OTC pinworm medication, called Pin-X or Reese's Pinworm Medication, for about ten bucks at any drugstore. It tastes vile (we dosed the whole family, just to be safe) but is remarkably effective. I'd give it a try and see if that ends the nighttime itching.

Also, I'd suggest not ruling out that this could be multiple factors--a mild yeast infection and pinworms, for example. My sympathies.
posted by MeghanC at 9:34 PM on July 30, 2013 [3 favorites]

I'm guessing a yeast thing. I'd suggest getting a can of athlete's foot spray and giving yourself a couple of shots over a few days.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 10:10 PM on July 30, 2013

Response by poster: So, just to follow up: I did try several of the suggestions, including cutting out the thongs, being gentle, and some antifungal cream. That all seemed to work for about a day. The nurse practioner I saw then diagnosed a yeast infection, and has given me both oral and topical medication to treat the issue. I'm 3 days into it and things do indeed seem to be better (no more 2am wakings).

Thank you for all the recommendations - if the itching either isn't taken care of or recurs, I will ask about pinworms and assorted other mentions. Apparently I just can't get my act together in the lady bits region.
posted by Heidelberg at 7:26 PM on August 17, 2013