Eczema or skin reaction at the vagina??

[kin_etic]

I have been long suffering from what i thought was vaginal/yeast/bacteria infection.. My itch is unbearable sometimes however I do not have much discharge or foul smell.

I have gone to a GP last year and she said its not yeast infection but some kind of allergy or reaction..something like eczema (wh I dont have on other parts of my body)..the meds she gave helped temporarily with the itch but I lost my medicine when I was moving house.. and my dreadful itch returned.

I have gone to a gynae for a Pap smear and culture/vaginal swab test which have normal results for both. So it confirms that I do not have any kind of yeast or vaginal infection.

I have never heard of allergy/skin reaction/eczema at the vagina! Has anyone??

Shld I see a dermatologist? Do they actually check the skin at the vagina?

[Lizard68]

Be careful of meds. The statin Crestor gave me serious inflammation of the vulva and it was only found by a dermatologist who specializes in women’s health. I went through 3 months of mis diagnosis before that. Make sure there is nothing you are taking that has created a reaction.  Liz

[lenajames49]

I don't know  if anyone reads these much but I have had vag. Eczema for about 7yrs. This is by far the worst itch ever, that never goes away. I've seen many Dr.s, Gyn's, and Derm's... Driving all over my state to get help or at least some kind of relief. I've been given many meds by mouth, ointments (I'm now using the strongest thing that the Derm. Gives for eczema). recently during the spring I started getting a sinus headache often and was taking 800Mg of Motrin (Ibuprofen) and noticed that the itching was getting better... I have now been taking it every 4-5 hrs and the itch seems to be 90+% suppressed. Now this don't mean its gone, its still there, but somehow this is helping, I am able to fight the urge to scratch now and it rarely bothers me at night. I will be going to my Derm. Soon to find out how this will play out in the coming years, taking the ibuprofrn... For now its a blessing. If anyone happens to read this and tries this I would love to know if it  worked for you... Lena.***@****

[prayerhelps]

I know we are all different but maybe this will help.  I was misdiagnosed and my dermatologists never figured it out.  I suffered for almost two years until the power of prayer set me free.  THANK YOU JESUS!!  Well I had jock itch and did not know what it was.  My dermatologist figured it was eczema and it was but they could not figure out the trigger.  Said it must be allergies.  But to what.  I even went to an allergist.  My vaginal area just started itching horribly one day.  That itching and stress triggered eczema which I had never had.  For almost 2 years doctors gave me eczema creams and they helped for a few days here and there but basically I had the issue of eczema and jock itch for almost 2 years because the dermatologists couldn't figure it out.  Yes I was miserable. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and I prayed. The power of prayer led me to the answer.  I prayed about it and the answer "Yeast" came to mind. So first thing I did was ask my dr. for Diflucan.  No I did not have a yeast infection but due to the sugar I love to consume and carbs/starches it wasn't helping the jock itch.  So after I took the Diflucan I noticed a decrease in the itching.  Then Jock Itch came to mind it was answer number two. I asked the pharmacist what's good for Jock Itch in women she said Clotrimazole cream for the external itching of vaginal and vulvar regions. Voila peeps I am eczema and jock itch free. Best I've felt since May of 2011. I hope this helps someone.  If by chance the diflucan and clotrimazole are not the answer for you, I truly suggest praying about it.  Something my grandma always said and I never took to heart until I just could not take it anymore.  The best part is even though praying was my last resort, God didn't take offense and still answered my prayer. Itch free - PRICELESS.  

[chickie22]

Hello. I also have eczema upstairs and have been experimenting with an elimination diet as well as using cream that has zinc and caster oil.  I tried three days of nondairy and now have switched to three days of no wheat. The no wheat really seems to be working for me and I have not had to use corticosteriod cream since I started it. You may have wheat sensitivity.  Wheat sensitivity can cause an immune response, when consumed, weakening your skin's resistance.  I hope this helps!

[ralphie245]

I first went to the doctor about a year and a half ago because of a consistent ridiculous itch, inflamation and unbearably painful intercourse. She told me I was probably allergic to my soap or laundry detergent and prescribed a steroid cream which worked at the time. I changed everything. It went away then, and then I lost the cream in a move. Over the past 6 months it's came back and when I went to the doctor she finally told me it was vaginal eczema, prescribed the same steroid and told me that women commonly get yeast and bacterial infections and in my case can irritate the eczema. I thought that the pain had gone away after I used to the cream for the prescribed time, because the itch subsided. But when my boyfriend and I attempted to have sex again it was still unbearable. So I used the cream for another 10 days and was able to have sex once after every treatment. She can't tell me what's going on other than "you need to be well lubricated" but now my lubricant that we've used for years burns and makes it worse. I"m scared of buying a new lube just to find out it burns also. I'm switching doctors as soon as I can and maybe that'll help, but if there's any helpful advice about foods I can eat or anything, I need help. It's putting unnecessary strain on my relationship. We used to have sex atleast 5 times a day, and now have sex once every ten (if that's even possible for me....no pressure from him, it just *****).

[loz188]

i too have eczema down below, it took years of visiting my GP and numerous tests for STDs despite me insisiting this was not the problem. I eventually paid to see a private dermatologist who diagnosed eczema. I do get an eczema rash on my back also. I use steroid cream regularly but sometimes even this doesnt help. I find salt baths ease the soreness and itch for a while. I have also started taking evening primrose oil as it is thought this helps to clear up eczema and I am willing to try anything. If anybody else has any suggestions to ease the discomfort I would be greatful to hear them.

[optimistic510]

I was recently diagnosed with eczema dwnstairs. I have never had unprotected sex so i knew it wasn't an STD. I get really red and  inflammed and of course the itching. There is a steroid that your doctor can proscribe for you. I wasnt comfortable with the steroid so my doctor recommended using vaselin and or a diaper reash cream. The vaselin has helped with the irritation. Hope this helps you out.

[m3497]

You have to see a dermatologist or ask your gyno for a biopsy or even just bring in a list of the things kindd listed as possibilities and ask your doc to test for them. Be brave! You shouldn't have to live with being so unconfortable. I've been diagnosed with vaginal excema and while it is still a struggle once it was diagnosed and treated by an expert, it has been easier. i also don't have eczema any where else, but different kinds of excema do run in my family, so perhaps thats why.

detergents and soaps should be hypo-alergenic, fragrance free, and you could even double rinse your clothes and not dry them with dryer sheets to aviod chemical contact with your skin. my doctor also suggested white underwear because dyes from colored underwear can affect things.

if it ends up being some kind of eczema your doc will probably prescribe some sort of topical or suppository medication to treat it, which you will have to use on a regular basis (like people with other kinds of eczema have to).

unforetunatly not a lot is know about many vaginal conditions, so the road ahead of you could be long and annoying, but I've learned you have to be an advocate for yourself, even if that means being pushy and persistant. you deserve to be healthy and confortable!

good luck let us know what happens!

ps does your condition make sex unconfortable?

[kin_etic]

Thank you for your response.

I have changed different brand of detergent..I dont know enough abt detergents to know what type I shld be using.. and I don't use soap, panty liner, scented sanitary napkins and rarely use tampons.

I do not know how long STD symptoms show and I have had only 1 sex partner for at least 3 years and it is the same for my husband. He does not have these bad itches like me, just a normal itch here and there. I have had this itch for the longest time that I can remember but I was young back then and too afraid/embarrass to ask anyone.  

By the way, doesn't Pap Smear detect STD's or thrush?

Medical costs are expensive.. and I just want to make sure that I go to the right kind of doctor after going to a private hospital gynae only to find out I don't have any yeast/vaginal infection.

I will keep you posted once I have plucked up enough courage to see a dermatologist.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Itchy vagina can be due to a number of causes. First of all it can be due to allergic reaction or contact dermatitis to your undergarments, sanitary napkins or tampons, soaps etc.There is no change in the colour or smell of discharge in this case.

Secondly, It can be due to STD’s like Chlamydia or thrush, Gonorrhea,Trichomoniasis or Lichen sclerosis which is a non-infectious inflammatory skin disorder which affects the vulval and perianal skin.All of them except lichen planus can be transmitted after oral or vaginal unprotected sex.Even psoriasis and eczema can cause such symptoms.

I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get these possibilities evaluated.A biopsy of the skin may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have additional queries. Kind regards.