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What Causes Itching Outside The Vagina?
Question: About a week ago I started itching in the outer vaginal area. Now I am burning like crazy a d every over the counter feminine cortizol to a &d cream only causes it to burn what could this be and how can I get some relief from the burning pain?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Sometimes a cervical culture done when having a Pap smear will not show yeast that are growing near the outside. So if you haven't tried it already, using a vaginal antiyeast preparation might help. Yeast would be most likely if you have been on an antibiotic recently, but it can happen anytime really. Sitting a lot, consuming alcohol and sweets/carbs, and wearing pants that don't breathe well can contribute to it.
Atrophic vaginitis is another possibility. This happens from low levels of estrogen in women who have previously gone through menopause. The tissues become thinner and less resilient which makes them more prone to infections. Treatment is topical or intravaginal estrogen cream which is by prescription.
An allergic reaction is also possible. Sensitivity to laundry detergent residues, particularly those laundry products that have fragrance or scents, can happen. Laundry dryer sheets can be especially irritating. Treatment is avoidance of those products, taking an antihistamine such as cetirizine, and applying something soothing and healing on the area such as zinc oxide ointment (on the outside).
Without being able to see what is going on, I can't say more specifically, but these would be the most common possibilities.
If these suggestions don't help, it's time to see your doctor to explore further what might be going on.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Sometimes a cervical culture done when having a Pap smear will not show yeast that are growing near the outside. So if you haven't tried it already, using a vaginal antiyeast preparation might help. Yeast would be most likely if you have been on an antibiotic recently, but it can happen anytime really. Sitting a lot, consuming alcohol and sweets/carbs, and wearing pants that don't breathe well can contribute to it.
Atrophic vaginitis is another possibility. This happens from low levels of estrogen in women who have previously gone through menopause. The tissues become thinner and less resilient which makes them more prone to infections. Treatment is topical or intravaginal estrogen cream which is by prescription.
An allergic reaction is also possible. Sensitivity to laundry detergent residues, particularly those laundry products that have fragrance or scents, can happen. Laundry dryer sheets can be especially irritating. Treatment is avoidance of those products, taking an antihistamine such as cetirizine, and applying something soothing and healing on the area such as zinc oxide ointment (on the outside).
Without being able to see what is going on, I can't say more specifically, but these would be the most common possibilities.
If these suggestions don't help, it's time to see your doctor to explore further what might be going on.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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