It is just a thought - I'm brushing my teeth with baking soda, to help my Lichen Planus. And it seems to help to keep the Lichen Planus at bay.
Just today I had the idea to add a bit of baking soda in the spray bottle I use to rinse my recently 'renewed' (dilation procedure) bottom.
Does anyone else have experience or knowledge as to what baking soda can accomplish and perhaps why?
Not sure how reliable this info is, but it does confirm your feeling, Hanny.
"With its natural pH neutralizing effects, baking soda serves a variety of purposes. The compound is effective for reducing pain, eliminating infection and treating inflammation.
As such, sodium bicarbonate is used to treat a variety of conditions. Acne, allergies, canker sores and bacterial infections can successfully be treated using a baking soda regimen. Burns, bee stings, and cysts also respond well to treatment with the compound. Other conditions including fatigue, cough, congestion, flatulence, gout, gum disease and others can also be treated using baking soda."
Another site has this, even better:
"Health Benefit of Baking Soda #4: Dermatological Conditions. British researchers found that adding one-half cup of baking soda to bathwater soothed itchiness and irritation in patients with psoriasis. And a paste made of baking soda mixed with a little water and dabbed on sunburn, insect bites, allergic rashes, and skin exposed to poison oak/ivy reduces discomfort. That same paste also makes a nice, gentle exfoliant."
Have you tried this at one time, Morrell?
Thanks, good info. I like the pH neutralizing effects, though I don't really understand it. Only experienced the result of using it for brushing teeth.
No, but I take it for stomach cramps. I'm inclined now to put half a cup in my pre-soak bath on clob night. It sounds worth doing and harmless.
That's what I like about it - no harm done if you won't notice any difference. But it might in the long run show some interesting results. Worth a try?
I've been putting epsom salts in my soaking bath. I'm going to switch to baking soda.
I have done Epsom salt and later Apple Cider Vinegar. As soon as I'm allowed baths again I will try baking soda as well. My LS always liked variety. (ha) For now I do a couple of pinches in my spray bottle every time I visit the bathroom. ( Almost healed. Now it's a task and a half to keep this opening open.)
So, there was some tearing? I would hope you can dilate gently enough not to tear, but still keep it open.
I'm watchng an art film that has a few shots of vulva. It struck me tonight that I've always found images of fleshy, wrinkly ones bizarre. But of course, it has to be wrinkly at rest in order to stretch. We flatties have no accordion to expand.
No tearing Morrell - the two opposite sites wanted to 'heal' together. Got it unstuck again. What 'our goal' is is of course unnatural. Skin wants to heal. It has happened before. Got unstuck and the next morning all was 'frozen solid.' This time it will be even more critical. I don't think that this procedure should be repeated. So I'm doing my utmost.
"We flatties have no accordion to expand." Morrell, that would be really funny if it weren't also sad and true! --Suzanne
Hanny--You said that you don't think that this dilation procedure should be repeated. Is that because it's been so difficult to go through and heal from? I bet it was hard, as well as all of the waiting and problems peeing. Wish that there were some kind of little plug that could be kept safely in (in between peeing) so that the skin would heal around it rather than to itself. That sounds frustrating and awful that it just wants to close up again. --Suzanne
Bicarbonate of soda is an alkali, the body is mildly acidic, hence the neutrlising effect of the Bicarb
The secretions in the mouth and gut are acid, as is urine- think of uric acid
The secretions are acid to desolve the food and drink so the body can absorb the nuitrients
If your mouth is sore and has a lot of saliva then rinsing with bicarb makes sense
Interestingly my friend who visited me last week from Australia wrote on her return that she has discovered bicarb is also VERY good at cleaning silver!- I use it to clean my WC as i cant use bleach in my septic tank!
A little plug – that was exactly what I was thinking. Made out of that stuff that wounds won't stick to on bandages.
Good thinking Morrell and Suzanne, I've been picking my brain what that material could be. It has to be soft and move with the body and should stay with the body. And for hygiene, it should be easy to replace and relatively cheap. Please keep thinking with me here.
Your question why it should not be repeated - how often can you do this to skin? Especially the kind of skin that has suffered so much already. In my opinion you're then inviting other problems to occur.
More than one good thought, Sue. Thanks, that's very helpful. I think I remember that soda was used for cleaning purposes, together with sand.
I have no scientific background and thank you for the bicarb explanation. Baking soda then is an innocent little helper.
Hi Hanny--I see what you're saying about the potential risks of repeating the dilation procedure. I'll give the plug idea some further thought. Not sure why the doctors haven't figured something out here. Whatever would be used definitely would need address the potential infection risks of inserting something into a vulnerable part of the body. I know that catheters are potent sources of infection, but this wouldn't need to be long--just set in the entrance of the urethra, and maybe just while sleeping. Hmmmm--trying to think about what might work. Might be good to run that question by your doctor, too. --Suzanne
Yes, why not a little 1/2" long piece of catheter hose? Sure it's not good to have a pathway into the body through a wound or right into the urethra, but this is an opening that's supposed to be there and supposed to be a lot bigger!
One would have to be careful the catheter doesnt migrate to places it would be better to stay out of.
Think tampon shock syndrome!
I wonder whether having lubricated dilators should be the answer- night and morning - of the RIGHT size could keep the lumen patent