There is nothing more embarrassing than having an itch on the vagina when out socializing. It`s funny if you think about it, if an itch is on the end of your nose, your head or ear you scratch it regardless of who stands before you, but when it`s round the crotch/anus then the way we get relief is not so openly done. Could this have something to do with why the genitals are called the privates, hence the secrecy between fingers meeting up with the itchy vagina? Okay it doesn't look nice to scrawb at your bits when in the company of people, but an itch is an itch and made for scratching. And another thing is, what must people think for why you scratch i.e. pubic lice (crabs) or maybe VD might even cross their mind. Now you can always retreat around the corner out of sight to scratch, or find the root cause for your itchy vagina and cure it. There are many reasons accountable for a vaginal itch or anus one. If you itch because you have a vaginal rash then this is easily treated and rid using home treatments, however and more often than not an itchy vagina comes about from vaginal infections.
One infection strongly connected for causing an itch is vaginal thrush. As with specific infections they can also affect the vaginal opening and surrounding skin along with pain. Bear in mind that not all women get the symptoms associated with infection but if they do, the way they cope and respond to vaginal treatments can differ greatly. There are 3 common infections we address on a regular basis and the reason why is, because it is normally one of them that is responsible for a vaginal itch.
If you experience vulval discomfort then we look towards the thrush infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginalis and herpes simplex.
Thrush
Thrush as we are aware is caused by a fungal organism called Candida albicans which lives in our bodies. Candida albicans grow and mass around the genitals which bring on thrush symptoms. Clarified symptoms are a white, thick, yeasty smelling vaginal discharge, and a very itchy sore and red vulval region. Sometimes the rectum (anal) opening can also become painfully itchy. Most Vaginal infections excluding some STDs are treated with antifungal drugs, vaginal creams, and vaginal pessaries. Creams and pessaries which need inserting inside the vagina can however cause burning and skin irritation similar to the thrush infection. Because of this confusion comes to the fore over whether it `s the side effects of the treatment or the symptoms of the infection. Although vaginal treatments are deemed safe particular feminine products have to be ideal for you and the infection you suffer from. If vulval skin is itchy and sore then cream can help with easing discomfort. Some medications come in oral form. Personal preference will prevail for whatever treatment you use, however if it is not a 100% for clearing your infection then it is waste of time and money leaving you still infected. Temporary cures are not want you want you want rid and gone forever. If you`re pregnant or breastfeeding consult with GP before using vaginal treatments.
Treatment for thrush can be obtained from the pharmacy but talk to the pharmacist before purchase because; it is possible to mis-use treatments for vaginal itching/soreness that are not thrush. Wrong treatments may lead to long-standing vulval problems and can worsen the condition you set out to heal.
Don`t let anyone tell you any different that after being diagnosed with thrush that you have been sexually active. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection. Thrush does not always cause symptoms in men and may present as balanitis or a non-specific urethritis (NSU.)
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis also like thrush bringing soreness, burning and itching of the vulva but hardly ever sees redness or swelling. We associate the unpleasant fishy smell with bacterial Vaginosis and a smelly grey or white vaginal discharge. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) happens when the good bacteria in the vagina are removed to make way for bad bacteria. So it is bad bacteria we look to treat and destroy to ease soreness, relieve itching and rid the fishy smell. Because of similar symptoms it is easy to think you have thrush when you have BV. Bacterial Vaginosis is the more severe out of the two infections because it can lead to internal infection called pelvic inflammatory disease.
Trichomonas Vaginalis
Have you been diagnosed with having Trichomonas Vaginalis but at the time of diagnosis did not hear clearly or understand what the GP had to say. This happens regular where a woman might have been frightened by the medical term used for her condition and goes home none the wiser. Well Trichomoniasis or Trich as it is called at times is a vaginal infection which causes vulva soreness, reddening and inflammation. A common symptom of Trich is a foamy, yellow greenish vaginal discharge. Some women feel pain when weeing. The organism responsible for the symptoms is a parasite in the vaginal mucus. It spreads through penetrative vaginal sex and the exchange of vaginal fluid, meaning, sharing sex toys or sex gadgets.
Herpes Simplex is a viral infection
This virus exists in two types. Herpes simplex type 1 appears as cold sores around the mouth, and herpes simplex type 2 involves the genitals. When the infection first takes hold, painful sores show on the vulva and vagina. It may hurt to urinate as urine is acidic and stings if it comes in contact with herpes sores. Other symptoms include a tingly and itchy vagina, swollen glands in the groin and general flu-like symptoms. Swollen glands or flu-like symptoms only happen during the first attack.
As with particular viral infections, there is no permanent way of ridding herpes and its recurrence.
Now we have covered vaginal infections let us focus on the vaginal rash and how to treat it. This shouldn`t take long as it is just simply water that will do the trick. There are solutions for soothing but just keeping the vagina fresh airy and dry will speed up the recovery process making this the best solution.
