HELP-Skin,vulva,dermititis

[jerseygirl444]

I'm 33, and have a very itchy vulva - not inside, just outside and down towards rectum.  Skin is dry and itchy!!!  I've been two 4 dermatologists and 3 gynos - some in NYC who specialize in woman's issues.  I've been itchy for about one year.  I have very bad allergies (mostly animals and dust mites - not food at all or contact) but got a biopsy in that area and have contact dermatitis from an unknown allergen. (not lichen scholosis)  I'm going to get patch tested at an clinic in the city to figure out what the heck it might be.  But I am convinced, it's nothing I'm touching, could be something I'm digesting, maybe a pill - vitamins?, but I don't think so.  I'm finding that i have to be my own doctor since doctor just prescribes a new cream.

Creams do not work - I've been on ever steroid.  Actually, I take that back, they work for the time I use them, they thin out the skin, and then everything comes back when I stop.  It's not a long term treatment.  I've used clotrimozole creams and everything else.  A specialist gyno gave me a chemists mixture of acid mantal cream (to deal with the thinning) and another cream that when my 3rd dermo heard about it told me to stop using it immediately - not for that area.

I've changed detergents, and all the obvious things - so it's not that.

this also seems to have started the same time I decided I should get allergy shots for my allergies, my body did NOT like that, and seems to have reacted by becoming allergic to itself.  This allergy is ONLY in the vulva area - so who knows.

All I know is I'm miserable.

Thank goodness for an amazing husband who is helping me research since I can't emotionally take this forever.

I will say to all the people who are embarrassed to go to the doctor - please - they have heard EVERYTHING before - everything.  Be confident, come in with facts, and keep going to other doctors until you find what you need!  don't give up - demand help.  I think if everyone does that - and posts here - people can find relief.  It's nice to hear other people having these issues and knowing your not alone.

I guess my question is - does anyone have bad allergies and have they found relief cutting anything out or trying anything?  Does anyone take any pills that work?  Allergy pills (besides allergra for regular allergies)?  Any ointments besides the ones that thin the skin in the area?  ANything I haven't thought of besides the obvious stuff. Any suggestions from any doctors reading this that might be able to help?  THANK YOU.  

I wish everyone such luck in figuring out what is wrong here and talking about it as much as possible - the more we do the more doctors will be aware of this stuff and know how to diagnosis.  :)

[jerseygirl444]

Thank you for the suggestion... thank you for responding.. and listening!  Interesting ideas.  I just got allergy patch tested - allergic to nickel, cobalt, and propolas - bee stuff - nothing that earth shattering to cause this.

One dermo thought I may have neuropathic itch - I did pull some back musles last year and have gone to PT for it, he said a pinched nerve or something in my back may be manifesting itself in an itch in that area!  Has anyone ever heard of that?

I'm using a topical right now that is very high in steroids.  I can't use forever, but it stops the itch.  But the flacky dry skin (or whatever it is!) isn't going away unless I scratch it away - like a scab.  

I don't know what to do.  I want to try and get pregnant, but to do that - you have to be able to have sex!

Help.

[Vera676]

Dry, flaky skin isn't all that dry at the microscopic level. It seeps fluid that bacteria find irresistible. The bacteria then make a bad situation even worse. This won't cure your allergy, but I would suggest trying an antibiotic cream like Neosporin or Bacitracin. Putting on a thin layer will solve two problems: It will kill any bacteria present and put down a barrier that will keep the tissue from drying as much. It might give you some relief until you can find out what it is you're reacting to. Good luck.