TMI but desperate

[Petie1104]

Ok, so this has been going on for over a year and I can't get any help. I went to see the GYN nurse (our clinic doesn't have an actual gyn) and she said she didn't see anything wrong. Of course that was a good day, so there were no outward signs. OK so here you go....

In my pubic region, not where the clitoris or vagina is, but outside that area, on the skin where the hair is (I'm trying to make sure I explain this so you understand), it itches. I don't mean a little tickle, I'm talking driving me crazy itchy. Some days it's worse than others. Some days I have pieces of dry hard skin peeling off. I have tried shaving the area, that made it worse. It itches so bad that there are times I'm rushing to the bathroom to scratch that area. It's awful and it's been for over a year. I have tried anti-fungal creams, anti-biotic creams, nothing is helping. I need advice and maybe someone who knows what is causing this. It isn't contagious as dh hasn't had any issues with it. It can't be STD because dh and I have been together 11 yrs. and neither of us has slept with anyone else.

ANY IDEAS would be wonderful. Again, I'm sorry it's TMI but I am desperate.

[Thystle]

Any chance you can see a dermatologist? Go to the ER or urgent care when it is coming off and really bad so someone can see it?


Possibly eczema or Seborrheic dermatitis?


Is there a smell to it at all? The area of skin that comes off? Or even general all over odor?

[mama2landon]

I've had a similar problem for a few months now For me it's only an off and on problem, like one or two bad days and then it doesn't bother me for a few weeks.

I'm not sure, but lately I've been wondering if it is psoriasis or eczema. I don't really know the difference, and since I'm in the middle of a good spell, I admit I've been pretty lazy and haven't done a whole lot of research. I did find this link on psoriasis in the genital area, though.

http://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunit...3_loc_genitals

I know I get really bumpy, red, itchy peeling skin on my hands for the past two years during the winter (really dry air/skin), and only massive quantities of lotion make it bearable. I'm afraid to try any topical treatments in the vaginal area because of the sensitivity of that area, though.

[HRJ]

I vote for vulvodynia. I learned about vulvodynia when visiting pelvic floor specialists and urogynocologists. I don't have vulvodynia that I know of. I have interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. But when visiting these specialists they mentioned this.

http://www.vulvodynia.com/

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by HRJ

I vote for vulvodynia. I learned about vulvodynia when visiting pelvic floor specialists and urogynocologists. I don't have vulvodynia that I know of. I have interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. But when visiting these specialists they mentioned this.

http://www.vulvodynia.com/

That specifically affects the vulva and that isn't where this is, so I don't think this is it. It also says it's marked by pain, and I'm not having pain, just itching. But thank you.

[ASusan]

lichen sclerosis?

Although your description of the skin being hard doesn't match the description of "thinning" patches.

Here are symptoms from the Mayo Clinic website --

* Itching (pruritus), which can be severe
* Discomfort, which is generally greater if lichen sclerosus appears on or around your genital or anal areas
* Smooth white spots on your skin that may grow into blotchy, wrinkled patches
* Tenderness of the affected areas of your skin
* Easy bruising or tearing
* In severe cases, bleeding, blistering or ulcerated lesions
* Painful intercourse

[Crafty]

Can I ask how old you are? My mom had something similar- red, itchy rash that was driving her nuts, and when she went to the doc, he said it was associated with menopause. He gave her a cream to use (no clue what it is, pretty sure it was prescription), and that helped. I hope you find answers soon.

[treeoflife3]

does a moisterizer help? my daughter has an unlnown rash but when i make sure to put lotion or oil on her, it helps a lot.

[AtYourCervices]

Just a thought, but are you sensitive or allergic to latex? It could be your underwear that's causing the problem. If you suspect that may be the problem buy some latex free underwear and try a different cut (no thongs!). Also, try using gladrags.

[Linda on the move]

I'd review every product that touches your skin -- soap, lotion, laundry detergent, fabric softener, fem. hyg. products etc. My best bet is that something that you are routinely putting next to your skin is irritating it. It could be a product that you've used for years that didn't used to bother you.

Originally Posted by Petie1104

Of course that was a good day, so there were no outward signs. OK so here you go....

every clinic leaves a few slots for calls in that day. I think that the next time it is bothering you, you should call for an immediate appointment. This has been going on for a year, and it's time to figure out how to make it stop.

If you clinic can't help you get to the bottom of this, then it's time to find a new dr/clinic that takes your problems seriously.

It can't be STD because dh and I have been together 11 yrs. and neither of us has slept with anyone else.

even though you trust your DH, getting a complex STD panel done makes sense.

GOOD LUCK!

[KimPM]

It does sound rather like psoriasis. And it could also be a sign of a sensitivity to either a food or like a PP suggested, some "product" you are using...soap, detergent, whatever.

Instead of shaving that irritates the skin, have you tried just trimming the hair close (say to 1/8"), either with a beard trimmer or very carefully with scissors? If you find that trimming it helps, the beard trimmer would work way better than scissors.

Have you tried sitting in a tub of Aveeno bath?

[jcf529]

hello..

I had the same problem a few months ago. It was so awful...I was an itchy miserable mess. I went to my gyn during a particular bad day, and he cultured the itchy rash. It came back as group b strep...which is surprising as I am not pregnant. The gyn said that he has seen this before...the group b strep affecting some women with rash and itching externally. He put me on a two week dose of an antibiotic, and it immediately cleared up. It might be something worth looking in to. I would definitely make an appt during a flare up so your doctor can see it at its worst. Good luck!

[MAMom]

I'd second getting to a dermatologist. I thought it was a stange suggestion when my nurse-midwife referred me for a gyn skin issue, but the nurse practicioner at the dermatologist's office told me she saw lots of women for gyn skin issues and she was quite helpful with my issue.

It could be a topical yeast infection, which can be very stubborn and persistant and may need treatment beyond the standard 1-2 weeks and/or dietary changes.