perianal and outer vaginal pinkish soreness with fissures and itching

[neve]

My wife has pink colored soreness and itching accompanied with tiny fissures in the area between her anus and vagina.  I am sorry I don't know the name of this area.  Anyway, it's pinkish in color with itchiness and fissures.It also travels.  First it started in the area I described but then went up around the anus and then back down to the large outer lips of her vagina but not into the vagina itself as far as we can tell.  She has no irritation when urinating.  When the perianal fissures are occuring, the vaginal area appears to be better and vice- versa.  This has been happening for six weeks non-stop.  The itching is very bad for her.  

She cleans her self with disposable wipes made for use after bowel movements regularly and we thought that might be causing it.  But still it continues.  What are these symptoms indicative of and why would it appear to get better and then flare up again?

[bratty005]

I'm not a doctor.  I just want to say that everyone doesn't handle things in the same way.  Maybe your wife is hiding something and maybe she isn't.  It's hard to speculate on anyone's behavior.  She may be your wife but always remember that you can't read minds and neither can she.  Having said that,  you should sit down and express the fact that you have a concern about her health and would feel better if she would get checked out.  If you haven't already that is.  She is your wife. She should respect the fact that you have concerns.

[neve]

Dear Doctor,

It's been a few months since I posted the original question and my wife hasn't gotten around to getting it treated.  For my peace of mind,  is this a possible STD?  I haven't gotten this rash or symptoms as I describe her having but I don't know if there are STDs out there that can cause women to have symptoms and not a man.  I feel a little weird about her not having time to have had it checked out.  I am starting to wonder if she's hiding something.  Am I over reacting here?

[troubledhousewife]

i have a problem and it is an odd one. but i am not sure what is causen it maybe someone will. the left side of my vaginal itches continuesly . i do wash well and cleanse the area. but for some reason this area itches and i occur sores on that left side. would anyone know what causes this? i have tryed medicine and nothing seems to work. Stress maybe. wrong laundry soap or any one have any ideal on what may cause this?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Lichen.  Sorry.

Irritation can spread if you rub or scratch it.

Dr. Rockoff

[neve]

Is it Likchen or Lichen? And why would this irritation travel as is does? Just curious.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, it doesn't sound like likchen sclerosis.

Dr. Rockoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds like irritation/eczema of the area, and is unlikely to be an allergy to any specific product.  I would suggest making an appointment with a skin doctor and meantime using 1% hydrocortisone cream twice a day with vaseline applied over it.  This does not sound like yeast or any infection.  As to why it started now, I can speculate that there was excessive irritation, but it doesn't really matter.  Just have her treat it, and it ought to get better.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff