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Beginning about 2 months ago I started getting a continuously worsening itching and almost painful area between my thighs and pubic hair. It was almost as if I had split that skin, and I have tried Cortisone, Antibiotic Creams, and anti-fungal cream and spray. Nothing helps...I try to wear loose clothing, but that doesn't help much, and can hardly stand having the elastic on the legs of underwear on! I looked today with a mirror and it is bright red, mostly solid, with some dots with drying skin around them. I am in a monogomous married sexual relationship, but I worry about having sex with my husband, not to mention that it sounds painful! Do you have any suggestions or help to offer me. It is making me crazy! I just long to scratch and scratch!
I keep the area clean and dry, and have good personal hygeine. I noticed as I looked that it seems to be spreading further toward the labia, (nothing there now) and the area around my anus is also angry red and itchy, which has only started recently. At the very beginning I had split lips where the top and bottom lips meet, and I attributed that to my mustache removal, but it was then that a pharmicist recommended the anti-fungal cream. I don't know if they are related at all, and once my lips healed it hasn't been a problem there, and that was never itchy... just kept splitting open into an open split that was very red on both sides and healed slowly as I smile a lot! Wow, do I wiggle and squirm if I ride in a car or have to sit at my desk! Like anything else, scratching may be satisfying for a moment, but only makes it worse. Again, HELP!

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on October 9 2006 at 6:20 PM

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 52

Already Tried:
Anti-itch creams Antibiotic ointments Anti-fungal sprays and creams Medicated powder

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

For NOW......as long as you have not developed any open areas or blisters, I suggest trying a barrier cream.....like Desitin. (Adults use it, too so please don't be embarrassed about using it.) It will act as a barrier to protect the irritated skin and help heal. Use the Desitin Original....NOT the Desitin creamy (the creamy preparation just does not provide the same barrier relief as the original. In the meantime, review any new soaps or laundry detergents you may have been using since this has been a problem for you.

If after 5 days or so you do not see an improvement or if you note that you have open areas or blisters, see your doctor.

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Reply to AnnlynnRN's Post: Thank you so much for your reply. I have tried Desitin (original) occasionally, but not consistently even for a few days. You mention no open sores or blisters, but the "pantyline" leg line is split. Does that change your answer at all? If not, please let me know, and I will certainly use that regularly, rather than switching and changing creams constantly. No, I don't feel embarrassed, but I do feel badly for my grandbabies if this is what diaper rash feels like for them! I left out the "burning" word, but I'm sure that was implied! I will try to think more about any new substances, although I have done that, and haven't thought of any. However, I have been bleaching my underwear, wanting to get rid of any bacteria, if that is the problem, and perhaps that isn't helping matters? I'll look forward to your answer, and will be online tonight. I will happily Accept after I hear from you, and thank you so much.
Should I use only Desitin and just leave my other tubes alone? Thanks! Laurel

Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

STOP using the bleach on your underwear. That alone will only exacerbate the problem. I would stick with the Desitin Original and give it about 4 or 5 days to see some improvement. Also, if you can tolerate the "feel" of them, they make cotton boxer shorts for women. Wearing them will help eliminate that rubbing and irritating along the panty-line. My son had a terrible problem with similar rash (he's 18 years old) and when we used the Desitin Original and switched laundry detergent to Arm & Hammer for sensitive skin, the problem went away. Oh yeah.....he's also been wearing boxer shorts ever since! His rash sounds a lot like yours with the chaffing and irritation, and I'm confident you will have a good result with this as well.

Yes, stick with just the Desitin Original for now. It acts as a barrier and will help heal. The only down-side is that it can be kinda messy. Wearing the boxer shorts will help keep it off your clothing, though. Good luck.

Edited by AnnlynnRN on October 10 2006 at 5:37 PM

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