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I Am A 63 Year Old White Female Who Is
Question: I am a 63 year old white female who is not sexually active ( for about 2-3 years now). I have this itching on the outside of my vagina that is worse at night. I have used creams and it stops for awhile but then I get rash between legs and on the inside of lips of vagina from statching so much
Brief Answer:
Please see detalied answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and Welcome to "Ask A Doctor" service. I have read your question and here is my advice. Vaginal itching is common andmay be distressing though mostly its not serious.
It's difficult to say for sure without detailed history and examination . but there are few possible causes in your case .Let me explain it to you.
If there is no discharge and only itching , this may be caused by allergy to some irritant that we call it contact dermatitis .Thsee include using any feminine products like soaps , cream , tampon , detergen even tight dress . So if you have recently used anything new probably that may be the cause of the itching .You should avoid using that and you can use some topical weak steroid creamfor little time .
If there is some discharge with the itching , then it may be Yeast infection.Yeast infection is very common .It Can cause little whitish dicharge , or can involve the outside skin causing a circular rash with clear boundaries.There is an OTC cream for it that can be used to heal it.you can buy it as an OTC.
One other possibilty would be bcterial vaginosis that cause foul smelling discharge .
Some times Lice can be there in public hair causing intense itching .Howe'ver thats not very common.
The treatment would depend on the cause .Most of the times its not serious.We some times ( when there is no clear cut diagnosis )prescribe a combination of weak steroids and anti-fungal cream to be applied locally .That does not only relieve the itching effectively but also cure yeast if any and which is very common.
Incase it does not work for you than I would suggest you should talk to your docter for proper assessment and management.
You can also use some anti histamine for the itching to control.
Good pelvic hygiene is also of great importance.
Hopes it helps you , let me know if you have any thing to say .I would be glad to answer your questions.
kind Regards Dr Rahman
Please see detalied answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and Welcome to "Ask A Doctor" service. I have read your question and here is my advice. Vaginal itching is common andmay be distressing though mostly its not serious.
It's difficult to say for sure without detailed history and examination . but there are few possible causes in your case .Let me explain it to you.
If there is no discharge and only itching , this may be caused by allergy to some irritant that we call it contact dermatitis .Thsee include using any feminine products like soaps , cream , tampon , detergen even tight dress . So if you have recently used anything new probably that may be the cause of the itching .You should avoid using that and you can use some topical weak steroid creamfor little time .
If there is some discharge with the itching , then it may be Yeast infection.Yeast infection is very common .It Can cause little whitish dicharge , or can involve the outside skin causing a circular rash with clear boundaries.There is an OTC cream for it that can be used to heal it.you can buy it as an OTC.
One other possibilty would be bcterial vaginosis that cause foul smelling discharge .
Some times Lice can be there in public hair causing intense itching .Howe'ver thats not very common.
The treatment would depend on the cause .Most of the times its not serious.We some times ( when there is no clear cut diagnosis )prescribe a combination of weak steroids and anti-fungal cream to be applied locally .That does not only relieve the itching effectively but also cure yeast if any and which is very common.
Incase it does not work for you than I would suggest you should talk to your docter for proper assessment and management.
You can also use some anti histamine for the itching to control.
Good pelvic hygiene is also of great importance.
Hopes it helps you , let me know if you have any thing to say .I would be glad to answer your questions.
kind Regards Dr Rahman
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank You. What is the best cream to use ? I am using Vagisel . There is no discharge and no smell. I haven't had sex in almost 3 years. Haven't used anything different in the way of soaps or anything. Also what can I use for rash between legs. It is so bad that it I shave there I will actually bleed. I have used baby rash powder and that doesn't even help.
Brief Answer:
I would suggest "hydrazole" cream containing steroids and anti-fungal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi. thanks for giving more details .
I would suggest you can use a combination of weak steroids and anti-fungal cream for the rash.This is available with different names like "Hydrazole"( contains 1% hydrocortisone and clotimazole) .May be with different trade names there .You can ask your pharmacist.
Its important you avoid shaving till it heals.
Avoid tight wears.
Also antihistamine like periton bed time ( can cause sedation) may help itching.Though may not be needed.
One thing more , please let me know if you have the rash for long time ? or if the rash exists any where else on the body .
Pleaee feel free to ask anything else you nee to know.I would be pleased if I could help you .
I would suggest "hydrazole" cream containing steroids and anti-fungal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi. thanks for giving more details .
I would suggest you can use a combination of weak steroids and anti-fungal cream for the rash.This is available with different names like "Hydrazole"( contains 1% hydrocortisone and clotimazole) .May be with different trade names there .You can ask your pharmacist.
Its important you avoid shaving till it heals.
Avoid tight wears.
Also antihistamine like periton bed time ( can cause sedation) may help itching.Though may not be needed.
One thing more , please let me know if you have the rash for long time ? or if the rash exists any where else on the body .
Pleaee feel free to ask anything else you nee to know.I would be pleased if I could help you .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I don't have rash anywhere else. The rash is actually from me scratching there. It comes and goes. Sometimes it will clear up but if the itch gets bad enough and although I TRY not to scratch it comes right back
Brief Answer:
it's looks to be an allergic one .
Detailed Answer:
That's very fine .It's looks very likely to be an allergic one and not serious at all .Yes i understand the discomfort it can cause. But don't worry ;Use the same cream two to 3 times a days for a week .I am sure you will be very relieved with it .That effects very quickly .
The topical steroids would take good care of the itch and rash .And Mostly its does not cause any big issue. We like the combination thats contains the antifungal as well as the allergy may be to some fungus and also to avoid any possibility of getting infected with it with the use of steroids.It's also safe to use.
Please don't hesitate to ask if you any further question.
it's looks to be an allergic one .
Detailed Answer:
That's very fine .It's looks very likely to be an allergic one and not serious at all .Yes i understand the discomfort it can cause. But don't worry ;Use the same cream two to 3 times a days for a week .I am sure you will be very relieved with it .That effects very quickly .
The topical steroids would take good care of the itch and rash .And Mostly its does not cause any big issue. We like the combination thats contains the antifungal as well as the allergy may be to some fungus and also to avoid any possibility of getting infected with it with the use of steroids.It's also safe to use.
Please don't hesitate to ask if you any further question.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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