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how do i get rid of contact dermatitis

By December 5, 2009 - 9:09pm
 
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Two weeks ago,

I started iching like crazy under my arms and on my outside my private parts. I can not figure out what the problem is all of a sudden. The dermatologist thinks it is contact dermatitis. He prescribed clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionare cream usp 1%/0.05% base. Two days and no relief! I stopped the perfumes, soaps and deodorants and no fix. I even put new clothes and underwear on today to eliminate chance of laundry detergent and fabric softeners. What should I do? I am up all night scratching and all day. I am so uncomfortable.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had the same thing for 2.5 years, primarily in the vaginal area and I was miserable. In short, what CURED me was taking hydroxizine pills for the itch but the magic bullet was using Marcal brand toilet paper because it is unscented and most importantly unbleached toilet paper. I also tried Seventh Generation toilet paper -but for some reason Marcal did the trick. It took approximately 4 weeks, but I don't have any issues any more and it's going on 2 months now. I am trying to locate every blog so I can share this. Please respond and let me know if this helped you. Remember it took at least 4 weeks - so be patient.

August 19, 2014 - 11:56am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I've been dealing with similar symptoms for going on 5 weeks now. Burning/irritation of the labia minora. Did 2 rounds (2 weeks)of yeast medication and a 1 time 4 pill dose of medication for bacterial infection after which all tests came back negative. I have yet another doctor appointment in 2 days. No idea what they will tell me since all tests have been negative. Dr. Said it looked like irritation as oppose to infection 2 weeks ago at last appointment, but this was before last round of testing. I have found that after 5 or so days symptoms would begin to clear then reappear. About 4 days ago I had a bad flare up not only on the labia minora but around the anus as well. At this point I'm thinking it has something to do with the toilet paper I was using (Scott extra soft) because I've recently read that extra soft tissue tends to leave more lint behind..... Or from use of flushable wipes. I was prescribed nystatin and triamcinolone cream at my last appt. apply 2 times a day. After the flare-up I applied to all affected areas at night and most of the anal irritation was gone by the morning. The labia irritation is still there but I'm wondering if its due to more sensitive skin and the issue persisting longer there already. From the beginning I have felt the irritation more AFTER using the bathroom not WHILE going in the case of most infections. I'm glad to hear of the toilet paper recommendation because the last 4 days I've been using baby wash cloths washed in free & clear detergent and I know this can't be a long term solution. We cloth diaper our youngest so cloth toilet paper wasn't much of a stretch. Sorry for the book. Glad to share experience. It's daunting and stressful but ladies do your research and continue seeing your doctor until you get answers. A lot is trial and error as we are all different. I have been using the same toilet paper and wipes for over a year.....apparently irritation doesn't usually show up when it first takes place which I believe is why it doesn't heal overnight or as soon as the irritant is removed. Crossing my fingers it was the wipes and to but I will try to update. I've seen on other sites besides this one that once the irritant is identified it can take 2-4 weeks to clear up. Hopefully this will help someone.

September 7, 2015 - 10:19pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Did it ever go away I have the saaame problem

May 24, 2012 - 10:47pm

Second doctor gave me antihistimines. With them the itching stops but without them I itch so much! I have eliminated so much of what I thought could have been causing the itching and I am still itching witout the meds.

December 24, 2009 - 9:29am

I think you need to get a second opinion about what may be going on. If your medication is not working then you have clearly been misdiagnosed.

Keep us posted on how things work out and good luck!

December 6, 2009 - 9:36pm

Can you call your Gynecologist for an appointment? I am concerned about the rash and itchiness on the skin around your vagina and inner thighs, and this should be medically evaluated by a doctor.

Have you had any sexual contact prior to the itching? There are many sexually-transmitted infections (they clear up with proper medication---don't worry!) that cause itchiness around the genital area.

(It sounds like your dermatologist only looked at the area underneath your arm, correct?) Did your dermatologist tell you how long it will take to feel relief (it's "only" been two days on your medication), and if s/he said immediately or within a day, you should call your dermatologist Monday AM and update him/her on your (lack of) progress.

December 6, 2009 - 2:15pm

It feels like all of my sweat in those areas is not being able to come out.

December 6, 2009 - 12:22pm

I wonder what I need to do next. Living like this is not an option!

December 5, 2009 - 10:39pm

the itching started about one month after taking the antibiotics. I now have a red rash and bumps from so many days of repeated iching in that area.

no real discharge and hardly any internal itching. I am allergic to aluminum cholride found in regual deos, so that is why i use only the same natural deo for the last 10 years and have stopped for the last week. Also, allergic to sublock when used on my face. Nothing has changed in the last several weeks and no new products in my house either.

December 5, 2009 - 10:37pm

Hmmm... sounds interesting.

I have a few other questions

So just to be clear, there is no actual rash, just itching?
When did it start in relation to taking the anitbiotics?
Have you ever had anything like this before?
Do you have allergies to anything that you know of?
Have you had any vaginal itching or change in vaginal discharge?
Did anything change around the time of the onset?

December 5, 2009 - 10:31pm
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