Genital Eczema

[AnnaB]

I would say only 100% cotton or 100%silk!! Polyester flares my sons eczema. 100% cotton are available in most stores.

Since I read your original post I crossed my mind do you swim much? I have a friend who after any holiday when he went swimming he'd get an ear infection from the water which left him with eczema within the ear. He had the itch but couldn't get to scratch. Just a thought I know a totally different body part but water gets everywhere.

Good luck

[Kevo00]

Hi folks - thanks for the responses.

Helen - I'll def try to wear looser clothes in future, although I tend to anyway as I do have quite sensitive skin in general and don't really like tight clothes. I'm a bit delicate really.

AnnaB - I've gone out and bought a whole load of cotton boxers, so I'll see how I get on. Also I have already a couple of pairs of 100% cotton pjs so that should help too. I don't swim much but I guess I do like to spend a long time in the shower or bath sometimes, but maybe thats counter-productive, I don't know. Its quite a difficult area to dry off too so not sure if that could be a factor. I know what its like to have the itch but can't get to scratch though! So its good to know that I'm not alone in having a problem like this in an uncomfortable place.

Its nice to post somewhere and find people who are genuinely interested to help, so thank you both, and I'll report back and see how I get on!

[chaoskat]

Lately I have been suffering from eczema that extends from low down between my buttocks, around my anus to some area of my perenium. I think it has been caused purely by sweat, as this is usually the cause of my eczema, and I have had eczema between my buttocks in the past. It can be really uncomfortable at times, hot and burning and sometimes stinging and tender to touch and is particularly irritated after wiping when passing faeces. To treat it I have been washing the area with coal tar soap twice daily and applying Evening Primrose cream twice daily. This is my usual treatment for eczema and usually works. In fact, it definately works at treating this current eczema, as it slowly relieves the itching until after about 2-3 weeks I am hardly aware that I have it and it is only slightly irritated after wiping when using the toilet. However...twice now, after my period, the eczema has become worse again. I am suspecting that the sanitary towels I am wearing are trapping moisture against my skin, therefore making the eczema worse. I am not wearing sanitary towels I have never worn before so I know I am not usually irritated by them. I am not using any soaps I have never used before. Usually, my eczema feels fine at the start of my period, it is only during the last day or two of wearing the pads that I can feel it irritated again, and then it worsens until it's just as bad as it was at the start. I seem to be going round in circles...healing the eczema and then making it worse again. People have suggested that maybe I have some kind of yeast infection or fungal infection, but the skin is not broken or weeping and does not have a smell. The eczema is not bleeding or weeping, there are no blisters and I have not itched or scratched it at all. And my usual treatment of coal tar soap and evening primrose cream actually heals the eczema, which if it was an infection I would assume it wouldn't get better at all. It's just that it comes back/gets considerably worse after every period. I am going round in circles and don't know what else to do. Does anyone have any kind of suggestion?

[gecko]

Skin doesnt have to be broken or weeping for it to be a yeast infection - neither does it have to smell! - just itchy and red. Try getting some clotrimazole cream for it - Canesten - but if that doesn't work, I would definitely see a doctor. Embarrassing - yes, worth it - YES!

[chaoskat]

Thanks for the info, I will try to find some of that cream. I just feel frustrated because I'm sure that if I it wasn't for the sanitary towels, my usual treatment would heal this up..

[ironchef]

Hi,

Over the last couple of years, I had recurrent yeast infections. The creams worked at first but over time, the yeast got stronger and no matter what brand of yeast infection cream I used, it would not go away. But, it did go away after i did a yeast cleanse for a couple of weeks and started taking probiotics every morning. Take the strongest one you can find. I take one that is 50 billion per capsule. I haven't had a yeast infection since!

[admin]

Do you suffer with eczema in/on your genitals? It's not the type of eczema that's easy to talk about because it's so personal - but be brave and post your stories/comments/questions here.

[Kevo00]

Well I'm pleased to report that my penis tip issue hasn't been as bad lately, but it can still be annoying at times.

Over the last few weeks I have:

Switched to only cotton underwear
Started using standard dry skin cream on the areas of dry skin on my legs (might help) - I also get flare ups of dry skin during cold weather, and the cold snap at the start of Feb didn't help.
Got some new skin friendly shower gel out of superdrug (sorry I don't remember the name, I'll look later)
Made sure I washed my towels every week.
Made sure I washed my bedclothes as often as possible.
Tried to make sure I ate as much fruit as possible and drank plenty of water to keep hydration levels up.
Downloaded one of the hypnosis mp3s from the uncommon knowledge (the ones that are linked to off this site) - no idea if it has any real effects, but its worth a try.

Am thinking of trying probiotics, as at least it would be good for my system generally even if it has no specific effects, but would really need to know more specifically about what to try. I'm very busy with work at the moment though so I am a bit worried that that could encourage the eczema to get worse again, but at least it is keeping my mind off it.

Thanks for the support folks.

[kmorris]

My 4 year old has chronic genital eczema (over a year). I am in desperate need of some advice for what to use on her. So far nothing seems to help. It's so inflamed, itchy, and now swollen. Can anyone give me some suggestions that might help. I have read about bathing her with some bleach? Has anyone tried this? At this point I will try anything.

Thank you!

Kelly

[admin]

Sorry to hear about your daughter. It must be very distressing for you. What have the doctors given you? Have you tried DermaSilk pants on her - available on prescription -as they will help relieve the itch. Also, use a non-bio washing product and no fabric condioner. But talk to your GP about DermaSilk.