Itchy around vaginal canal (outside) and anal area

[nicolegn7]

I am suspecting its due to me not cleaning up after dilations and the lube staying on my skin for a while? I must admit I haven't been cleaning the lube properly that has been left over and would wear diapers until I dried off. It's extremely itchy. What should I do? Has this happened to anyone? It looks irritated, its red. I don't think its an infection since its on the outside of my bottom lips and goes down to my anal

[Sandy]

Nicole:

Yeah, it's more than likely from improper cleaning following dilation.  Minor irritation like you have described did happen to me and it stopped when I started cleaning myself up afterwards.  Just a light wipe with a moist cloth should do it.

In the mean time, keep it clean and use a small amount of moisturizer or aloe to help reduce the effect, and wear cotton/breathable underwear to help keep it dry.

-Sandy

[nicolegn7]

Thanks Sandy! I deff had a feeling it was due to improper cleaning. I hate this itching, I hope it stops soon! ugh! Thanks again girl!

[jfong]

And don't forget to push push just like what Florence said hahaha.. Hopefully the itch will go away soon.


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[Monkeymel]

If you find yourself itchy after a few days of regular cleaning then get to a doctor as it could be irritant due to glycerin in the gel, or a starting of fungal infection. Regular rinsing with a shower head (even if not directly) or with a sitz bath (bowl water with few drops of betadine) is a must especially in the first few months,

[anjaq]

If it persists despite more hygiene when dilating (how long ago was GRS?), you should probably let you check by a gyn for yeast infection. If that costs you money you dont want to spend and GRS is long enough in the past, you can also try non prescription ways to get rid of the wrong vaginal flora - this may consist of stuff you buy at a Pharmacy (like Vagiflor, which is a tablet with "good bacteria" to go into your vagina together with food for them and some lubrication. Or you could try natural organiv "living" yoghurt - e.g. dipping a mini-sized tampon into that and using it for an hour

[nicolegn7]

I'm pretty sure it isnt a yeast infection as its not anywhere near the inside of my vagina and no foul odor. When I take my dilators out I looked in the mirror and saw the lube exactly where my irritation is from start to finish so Im pretty sure its the lube staying on my skin way too long and not proper cleansing. Is there anything I can do in the mean time?

[Nicolette]

A sitz bath or shower straight after dilation was mandatory, by instruction of Brassard. And then letting it to air dry, or what I did was use a hair dryer on low setting. It sounds like you may have a slight allergy. Chlorphenamine (Piriton) is going to help with the itching until it clears up.

[Monkeymel]

You sig says SRS at nov 5?

Don't put creams or things other than lube up inside for at least a few more months - once healing improved then you could use virgin coconut oil which is also a fairly good anti fungal / yeast product. But get good quality virgin oil. Nutiva from iherb.com is relatively inexpensive

Otherwise just allow yourself a sitz bath or light sponge bath to help with hygiene. Female hygiene is much more necessary than male...

[anjaq]

Oh I just saw - you are within the first month. I would not advise any of these vaginal flora things then at this stage - maybe get a different lube, wipe it of, shower or use a damp cloth for cleaning after dilation (no soap!) - what may also be a great idea is estriol cream. it is a vaginal cream that has some hydrating properties but the active ingredient is estriol, an estrogen that is said to be good for healing stretched tissue properly, it is high in pregnant women to give elasticity to tissue, it is good for the musous vaginal skin. I am not totally sure if it can be applied after not even a month though.

[Myarkstir]

I'm pretty sure it isnt a yeast infection as its not anywhere near the inside of my vagina and no foul odor. When I take my dilators out I looked in the mirror and saw the lube exactly where my irritation is from start to finish so Im pretty sure its the lube staying on my skin way too long and not proper cleansing. Is there anything I can do in the mean time?

Brassard's instruction from the nurses included a very strict thing

That little v shape at the bottom of the vj entrance must be kept dry. Lube, discharges will accumulate and bacteria will form if not cleaned.

They told me to take a soft tissue (quality toilett paper) and gently pat it dry. Emphasis on gerntle.

[PinkCloud]

If it also becomes redder and warmer, you might have an infection. These 4 usually go together in an infection: redness, itch, pain, warmth. It's best to keep an eye out for these symptoms if they get worse.

[jojo702]

If it's dry it may be the start of a urinary tract infection and once that's treated after you take your antibiotics, a yeast infection will follow which you also need to treat. I recently had this and also seen my gynecologist and went to the hospital for it and they all said the same.

Dunno if older women differentiates with younger women who had srs but I realized this week aside from dilating and all the other stuff, that being post op is not a walk in the park, there's a lot of things you're vulnerable to as well as maintaining your estrogen levels...

Well if it's worth it then it should be something we all need to put extra effort in. I don't want to end up like detrasitioning and undo my surgery just because I couldn't handle the effort I had to make and the obstacles i had to face after surgery.

[nicolegn7]

I totally agree with you about aftercare! I didnt think it was going to be this annoying and hard. I feel like surgery and being taken care of by staff was easier! I didnt think about aftercare as much

[jojo702]

I totally agree with you about aftercare! I didnt think it was going to be this annoying and hard. I feel like surgery and being taken care of by staff was easier! I didnt think about aftercare as much

I agree! I didn't realize all the care I needed to put effort in until my gynecologist told me the things I'm now vulnerable to after srs, and keeping a good hygiene, certain way to wipe your vagina, menopause and keeping my estrogen balanced.

Now I know why some post ops ended up detrasitioning lol.

[MCMCyn]

My first thoughts based upon your description also led me to thoughts of yeast infection (not fun) and speaking of yeast infections, be careful if you go on a strong anti-biotic, they can cause painful yeast infections, even though they are doing a great job on curing whatever ailment you were prescribed them for.

Air drying at any time is very helpful, but especially when healing from surgery. When in doubt, air it out. Air helps with the healing process.

[calico]

I must admit I haven't been cleaning the lube properly that has been left over and would wear diapers until I dried off.

just a dumb moment, I agree with whats been told to you, but why are you using diapers? pads are sufficient, if you are wearing diapers it could be the reason for what you have going on you could be dealing with a small diaper rash, and if so I would definitely air your stuff out. and if you believe it is rash... don't and do mean DON'T use the rash creams as they are far to harsh for fairly new operated on area's .,and again if it really is a diaper, drop em.