Question/Update

[KaylaMarie25]

Please respond fast with your thoughts. I contacted my doctor and went in. She took one look and looked at me and said, "We both know what this is." My judgments were right when I thought it was eczema. But when it's on the vulva it's known as Vulvar Dermatitis. My doctor said to continue using the Vagisil but switch to the maximum strength and I can still use the generic neosporin (plus pain relief) as needed. I'm trying to go as long as I can without it since I know you can actually overdose with creams and ointments. I didn't ask her this since I seen it in my bathroom closet when I got home, but i was wondering if I could use the Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment? I was thinking of just soaking in the bath with it for about 20-30 minutes (it doesn't have a recommended soak time)

On the box it says:
Dermatologist Recommended, 100% Natural Colloidal Oatmeal.

Relieves Itchy, Irritated Skin Due to:
Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac
Insect Bites
Rashes
ECZEMA

Soothes:
Prickly Heat
Chicken Pox
Hives
Sunburn

FRAGRANCE FREE

[doubledeedee]

You can use that too take a bath in. I have eczema on my whole body and I use oatmeal baths all the time and it only helps me.

[KaylaMarie25]

This is the first time I ever had a flare up "down there" and it's seriously devastating, I'm trying to stay calm since anxiety and stress make it worse.

[jemma116]

Glad to know that you managed to see the doctor with regard to your vulva problem.

Some people do have allergic reactions to some emollients, so you can see how you get on.

The oatmeal bath sounds pretty good and it is natural.

doubledeedee can you tell us please whether you purchase anything special, or do you just pour in some oatmeal into the bath water?  I have skin problems and suffer from eczema and contact dermatitis.  Down below area is a problem and my fingers.

As I recall KaylaMarie25 that in one of your posts you wrote that you have a fiancé.  If you make love using condoms, this may have triggered off the flare up.  You will have to be careful which products you use.

Although eczema can be an immune disorder, brought on by stress and allergies, flare ups can also be triggered off by contact with certain substances.  

[specialmom]

Hi there sweetie,  Sure, you can try the aveno bath.  I think a 'salt' bath might be a good thing to try as well.  After the bath, pat dry (don't rub) and you could even use a hair dryer on a cool setting to completely dry.  Completely dry  is really key.  Moisture is not the friend of dermatitis.  

Lots of luck sweetie and let us know.  But sure, the aveeno bath may be good.  

[doubledeedee]

Sometimes I buy the aveeno bath soak but a lot of times I just use a lil regular oatmeal. But to be honest one kind of oatmeal I found works really well is the baby cereal one:  its really fine and doesn't create a big mess. I was officially diagnosed with eczema when I was 4 so I have probably tried everything . I would also suggest that you find a good mild soap and stick to it and don't use it down there right now. Also I sometimes use aloe Vera baby oil on my body as soon as I dry off.

[doubledeedee]

I mostly suffer on my face,  hands,  feet and neck. Its a constant battle but you get adjusted to it and I get breakouts down there sometimes too.

[KaylaMarie25]

@jemma: we don't use condoms, we did when we first started dating, but when the relationship got "serious" we stopped using them. And due to this eczema issue, we haven't had intercourse in about a month.

The oatmeal bath did help quite a bit. I soaked for about 20 minutes. I'm going to do this every other day. Another thing that might have brought on the flare up is the heat. I live in a town that's about 30 minutes south of Chicago. And the weather is starting to get humid and warm and when this started was one of the hottest days that started, also with my mom switching detergents didn't help. The Dove unscented sensitive skin beauty bar also helps. And I'm not using the Vagisil as much anymore. Throughout the day, I'm not very itchy, I'll get an occasional itch that will go away if I keep my mind busy and not think about it. It's worse at night and as soon as I wake up. It feels like a "stinging itch" that I usually get when I get eczema, but since I haven't shaved down there it more or less feels like I'm "pulling" the hair. I REALLY want to shave... or trim at least, but I don't want to irritate it anymore. Though I am feeling loads better than I did a week ago, I don't want to make it worse and go right back to how it was.

[jemma116]

Thanks for the info.  I would like to try the oatmeal bath, never thought of the baby cereal.  I should imagine that is more expensive though.

My doctor prescribes Dermol 600 which is a microbial bath emollient, and I sometimes squirt some baby oil into the bath too.  I do not use any soaps at all, only baby bath wash.  Any type of soap makes the down below bits unbearable.

I grew into my eczema as well as my mild asthma.  I was in my 30s when I started to develop contact dermatitis from wearing rubber gloves.  Since then my fingers are now much worse and will occasionally crack and I was diagnosed with Rosacea about 3 years ago when my facial skin felt sore and sunburnt.  And even though I am 61 now, I still get spots on my face.

How many handfuls of oatmeal would you put into a bathful of water?

[jemma116]

As you suffer from eczema, it wise not to use detergents that can trigger off allergic reactions or aggravate your eczema further.

Whilst talking about eczema and allergic reactions at my recent visit to a health centre, one of the ladies suggested using Eco Egg.  This does about 720 washes and you do not use any detergents at all.  She advised that the Eco Egg recommended sterilising tablet needs to be used in the washing machine first on an empty cycle.  And they also do a stain remover for stubborn stains.  These can be purchased at a reasonable cost on line.

[HannahKlein]

cortisone cream.

[jemma116]

Cortisone cream needs to be used with caution and applied thinly, because it is known to cause thinning of the skin.  

[KaylaMarie25]

In regards to my other post, the Vaseline seems to be help soothe it more. I haven't used the Vagisil almost 3 days. it has benzocaine which is a numbing cream type thing. Now I'm showing signs of Lichen Simplex Chronicus. My left labia majora feels thickened and the vaseline is helping that. Also, I'm going back to the doctor since I'm now having pain, it feels like my pubic hair is being "tugged or pulled" which can be a sign of Vulvdynia.

[jemma116]

Good idea to go back to see the doctor.  
You may need to be referred to the gynaecologist who specialises with problems in this area.

I was diagnosed with Lichen Planus when I had symptoms that you describe.

Best wishes.

[KaylaMarie25]

My doctor is pretty much everything lol. she only sees women and girls and i know her outside of the doctors office.

[jemma116]

Hope you get sorted out soon.

Best wishes.

[doubledeedee]

When using the regular oatmeal I use about a handful. With the baby cereal I would say about 1/4cup. The baby cereal actually looks closer to the aveeno bath but your right the cereal is more expensive . When I was a child my doctor suggested my clothes be washed with ivory soap but now I use a mild detergent and you may also want to try the bar of oatmeal soap.

[jemma116]

Thanks for that, I could do with a bath right now, so will put a handful of oatmeal in.  Trouble is I like to wash my hair at the same time - bits in the hair! LOL.

I use a non biological washing detergent and baby clothes softener.    I became allergic to Comfort softener years ago when they decided to  change the formula.  

Recently someone recommended the Eco Egg that does 720 washes so I am considering purchasing that when my normal non-bio detergent runs out (I buy bulk when things are on offer).  Apparently you have to get Eco sterilising tablets to sterilise the washing machine drum first.  If there are persistent stains on a garment, the Eco also do a stain remover.  These can all be purchased on line at a reasonable cost.

I have made soap with lavender, calendula and graveolen pelargonium leaf.  These are supposed to be good for skin, but I don't use it enough to feel any benefit.

Thanks again for the tips.
Best wishes.

[KaylaMarie25]

So the "tugging/pulling" feeling was in fact my pubic hair "poking" me. My doctor suggested to trim. I haven't had any itching in 3 1/2 days now. So the irritation went down so I trimmed, took a shower, washed with the Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar, then dried off and put Jergens Sensitive Skin Lotion on everywhere. Wiped off the excess then put a TINY bit of Vaseline where I didn't trim enough and voila, I feel LOADS better. Good timing too since my anniversary with my fiance is coming up =] <3 (June 2nd)

[jemma116]

LOL.  Congratulations on getting it sorted - and for your anniversary.

Best wishes.

[jemma116]

Had a bath today with the oatmeal.
When I measured out a handful, didn't think that was enough, so used 3 handfuls which was about half a small mug.

I soaked in it, it did sting is some of my tender areas, but it felt great.  Washed my face in the same water too.  The bite I got on it the other day is now feeling much better and my skin feels lovely and soft.

I will definitely be having my baths with oatmeal from now on.

Do you have any information why it seems to work?

Thanks for your advice and input.

Best wishes.

[KaylaMarie25]

The razor did irritate slightly but I'm not feeling as miserable as I have been. And in regards to the oatmeal:
1. Dryness fighting: Oats contain polysaccharides, which become gelatinous in water and leave a fine protective film on the skin, preventing dull, flake-y dryness.
2. Moisturizing: Oats are full of healthy, lubricating fats.
3. Defense building: The proteins in oatmeal help maintain the skin's natural barrier function,which is what ensures that the world outside the skin stays out, and what's inside the skin stays in.
4. Pore cleansing: Oats are filled with natural cleansers (called saponins) that gently remove dirt and oil from the pores.

[jemma116]

Thanks KaylaMarie25.

The info on the oatmeal bath is brilliant, I think I will copy it and save it on my computer for future reference.

In fact I may just have some with cinnamon for breakfast too. Yum

Have good anniversary.

Best wishes.

[KaylaMarie25]

Your welcome and thank you. I'm sure I will. Hopefully if I don't have work lol I just got a new job, I have orientation on Thursday. And now I want to eat some oatmeal, unfortunately it's 1:30AM here lol. So I'm just going to settle for some water with mango/passion-fruit Crystal Light and some crackers haha

[jemma116]

7.45 am now in the UK.  I could sleep and have been up since 6am.

Congratulations on your new job, hope all works out well for you.

Best wishes.