Constant redness

Women's health
1

ive been having constant redness between my labia minora and labia majora. When i spread it this picture below is what it looks like. Clobetasol seems to make the irritation go away. I have an appt on wednesday ... in nov i tested negative for bacterial and fungal infections. My actual vagina doesnt bother me just inbetween my labias and the top of my labia minora gets super red as well. Any idea what this could be. I changed my underwears to all cotton, been washing with all free and clear... its not itchy juSt gets very red and its not annonying because i know when its red 

2

Hello there! I think defo dr appointment will be good for you! If he doesn’t really give you any answer your happy with - ask to be referred to a gynaecologist demermatologist - they specialise in skin in and around femail parts 

3

Okay will do!! Im so u sure as to what it  could be. Considering my vagina in itself doesnt bother me

4

Honestly I’m not a dr and don’t want to wrongly diagnose you, but having suffered with vulva issues and speak to other women over the years .. I can assume (again I’m not a dr): you have a an infection - doesn’t mean it has to be sexual transmitted - I mean people get throat infections and ear infections all the time and sometimes people get little infections in their vagina areas - these things just happen ... 

Or you have had an allergic reaction to something and they will do some tests to find out what - then treat your symptoms and give you after care on how to avoid it 

My biggest advise is if you aren’t happy with a dr that fobes you off - ask to be referred 

5

If it was an infection.. wouldnt it spread and get out of control. Hydrocotizone and clobetasol seem to calm the redness down . The dr didnt prescribe me clobetasol for that but i had it and tried a little and it calmed down the redness

6

How does it feel? How do you know when it is red? Does it feel different? It looks like slight inflammation. You are doing the right things with using cotton underwear and sensitive skin laundry liquid.  Also don’t use any soap or feminine washes in that area, only plain water. In fact, because water is not the same PH as skin and has added chlorine I don’t even use water, I wipe with coconut oil. I also apply coconut oil after every time I go to the toilet. I find it soothing for dryness or irritation. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. You need to get raw, cold pressed, virgin, organic coconut oil.

7

I wanna compare it to a diaper rash. A slight burn but nothing out of control. I would say more discomfort then anything . Like an annonying . But i have clotbetasol and hydrocotizone and both relieve the redness . 

8

Don’t use the hydrocortisone for too long. It causes thinning of skin. The fact that it helps implies it is an inflammation of some kind. Coconut oil is also a natural anti inflammatory. What country are you in? Camomile skin is a natural treatment for all kinds of skin conditions and is gentle enough to use on the genital area.

9

Im in the united states... NY 

10

Inflammation so it would have to be a skin disorder or something going on right. Ill have to order some of that

11

Your problem sounds exactly like mine!  I've had it for a year and a half and can't get rid of it.  The only difference is that steroid cream helped you and it did not help me, but I'm ultra sensitive to everything so that could be why.  I've actually seen a specialist and she thinks it is lichen sclerosis but I don't have the white patches that are the main symptom.  My symptoms don't really match any of the symptoms of the main vulvar conditions except perhaps regular irritation or an allergic reaction, but those conditions wouldn't last a year and a half so who knows.  I'm going to see another specialist soon so I'll let you know if I find anything out, and please do the same!  The only thing that has really helped (it's kept the severe irritation at bay though I still have the redness) is spraying the area a few times a day with a mixture of organic, cold-pressed witch hazel, a little bit of lavender oil, a little bit of Vitamin E oil and a little bit of castor oil, but I still have flare ups and the redness is still there even on my best day, it's just not "as" red.  Anyway, good luck and definitely keep me posted!

12

That's how mine looks too. Very annoying and sometimes it burns.  Any suggestions?  I tried Emuaid and no results.  I have been tested for BV and was treated for it.  What can I do to treat it? I see Gyn on Thursday of this week. 

13

Hey Nina 

have you been tested for lichen sclerosis? Usually you have a biopsy. Read the lichen sclerosis forums. You might recognise other symptoms, a lot of people are giving good tips to try with the itch. 

Best tip I can give is stop eating all yeast and sugar, this stopped my itch, took a few weeks. Once the itch stops the redness reduces. I’ve done a chat, click on my profile and you will find it.

good luck 🍀

14

Hi! I've had the same problem as you since I was 13 years old. I accidentally applied the wrong product down there which caused pain, swelling and irritation. Ever since then my labia minora haven't been the same size or colour (one side is pink and the other side is a greyish-brown). It also has a weird spotty texture.

I haven't been to a doctor about this, mainly because I'm too embarrassed, but also because it has been the same for years and hasn't caused anymore irritation.

I wanted to know if there was a way that I could possibly reverse this without seeing a doctor... If anyone could help then that would be much appreciated so if you have any useful info then please share. 

Thanks smile 

15

What's BV?

16

Hi Carrie,

Do you have any updates?  I am suffering with severe vulva issues.  Had a biopsy done  - it just showed hypersensitivity, no cancer, infection or skin condition.  I am using clobetasol steroid ointment but it isn’t helping much.  I appreciate any advice.  Thanks.

17

Mary Ann, it sounds like you have vulvodynia (hyperactive and hypersensitive nerves in that area). You need to find my post “how I cured my vulvodynia”. Steroid cream alone will not do it. Other women have added their success stories to that post too.

18

Thanks, Suki.  I am reading the posts now.

19

did you find out if this is LP? mine looks exactly the same

20

Hi Carrie,

I have very similar issues, I'm very red and sore, almost 'burnt'. I'm heading down the route of vulvodynia or unprovoked dya-something-or-other.

Would be interested to hear what they say x