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What Causes Itching And Excessive Dryness In Genital Area?

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Posted on Fri, 25 Jul 2014
Question: My wife is suffering from severe itching problem in the and around genital area. These symptoms have persisted from almost 2.5 years now . During this tenure she has taken treatment from 2 doctors but the treatment has not cured the problem. She has also got STD test done and there were no disease found in report. Earlier it only used to happen when we were in UK where the climate was cold and sun was rarely seen but now it is happening in XXXXXXX as well. One new thing she has noticed is the area remains very dry for which her doctor has asked to apply olive oil 3-4 times a day. I am unable to attach the prescription provided by both doctors as there is no place for attachment. Please provide me a email ID and I can mail you the prescriptions.

Do let me know if any additional information is required. Please suggest good remedy as she is very irritated due to this problem .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Geetika Paul (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please provide pictures and details

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I understand your concern regarding your skin problem and I hope I am able to help you in the same .
Your wife is having problem around the genitals . Since she has noticed excessive dryness in that area, I suspect she might be suffering from a chronic fungal infection in that region.
I would like to have a look at the exact skin condition before we can be sure of the diagnosis . It would be helpful in reaching a definite diagnosis if you can click some close up pictures of the skin condition and upload them here on this page . You can also mail them at YYYY@YYYY with heading as ref to Dr Geetika Paul .
Also please tell what all creams or medicines is she applying?
Does she complain of any whitish or curdy discharge as well?
Are there any complaints in you as well?
Please provide treatment records as well.

I am sure I will be able to help you more once you provide me the above details and the pictures .

Dr Geetika Paul
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Geetika Paul (1 hour later)
Hi Dr XXXXXXX

I have uploaded the treatment prescriptions of both the doctors. Please find answer to your other questions below :
Also please tell what all creams or medicines is she applying? - Please see the prescription of Doctor2(Renu Gupta)
Does she complain of any whitish or curdy discharge as well? - No discharge . She also got the swab test done in UK but the result were normal.
Are there any complaints in you as well? - No as of now , Can having sex cause problem to me as well ? We have started trying for a baby from 2-3 months and are having sex without protection.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Geetika Paul (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Chronic eczema over vulva., lifestyle changes

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

I have seen the attached reports.
Now your wife basically is suffering from neurodermatitis over the vulva.
This is basically a very itchy skin condition.
Most importantly, it is important for your wife to understand that itching con scratching exacerbaters this type of skin eczema.
So she should scratching or touching the affected area as much as possible.
Whenever she has bouts of severe itching , she should apply a good moisturizer or even something like olive oil.
She should apply tenovate m cream over the affected areas twice a day .
In addition, she can apply a good moisturizer like efaderm cream or hidrate cream over the affected areas two to three times daily.
She can take some oral antihistamine tablets along like tablet levocetrizine twice a day.

Now the main thing in this type of eczema is that it tends to clear up with treatment but it has a tendency to recur.
Recurrence in most cases is due to patients habit of repeatedly scratching the area.
So it is important to break the itch scratch cycle so as to heal the problem completely .
Also since this is basically an eczematous skin condition , so it is not contagious in nature. So there is no need to worry about it spreading to the other partner.

Dr Geetika Paul
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Geetika Paul (15 hours later)
Hi Doctor,

Thanks for your reply.I have few more questions in this regard.

1. What is the cause of this problem? Why it started ?
2. Will using these medicines have any side effect ?
3. We are trying for baby will taking this medicine be safe ?
4. Please recommend the medicine / soap with which the effected area should be washed.
5. My wife always washes the area with water and touch dry with towel after going to toilet. is it fine or something needs to be changed.
6. How long the medicine can be taken ?
7. Can you please share your contact details.

Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Geetika Paul (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Take proper treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

This problem is basically a type of eczema which can occur just in anyone. Some skin types are just prone to particular types of eczemas. But one thing is clear that this type on eczema develops and increases due to scratching and itching.
You can surely try for a baby . You can apply the medicine as told but instead of levocetrizine , I would advise your wife to take tablet avil two to three times a day for the associated itching. This tablet is safe even if she gets pregnant .
She can use a mild cleanser like cetaphil cleanser to wash the affected area. This is basically a moisturising wash. It is good to wash and dry the genitals frequently but she should make sure she does not over dry it.
She can take the oral medicines for a week to ten days. But she might need to apply the topical medicine till the time she has the eczema. I am sure with proper treatment , it should heal in ten to fourteen days time.
You can contact me on this forum as and when you want by sending me a direct query.

Dr Geetika Paul
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Geetika Paul

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2606 Questions

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What Causes Itching And Excessive Dryness In Genital Area?

Brief Answer: Please provide pictures and details Detailed Answer: Hi I understand your concern regarding your skin problem and I hope I am able to help you in the same . Your wife is having problem around the genitals . Since she has noticed excessive dryness in that area, I suspect she might be suffering from a chronic fungal infection in that region. I would like to have a look at the exact skin condition before we can be sure of the diagnosis . It would be helpful in reaching a definite diagnosis if you can click some close up pictures of the skin condition and upload them here on this page . You can also mail them at YYYY@YYYY with heading as ref to Dr Geetika Paul . Also please tell what all creams or medicines is she applying? Does she complain of any whitish or curdy discharge as well? Are there any complaints in you as well? Please provide treatment records as well. I am sure I will be able to help you more once you provide me the above details and the pictures . Dr Geetika Paul