Irritation/Itching - Laundry Detergent?

[x0mysacrifice0x.livejournal.com]

So almost two weeks ago, my girly bits started feeling a little irritated. My labia are red and irritated looking and I'm really dry and slightly itchy. I don't think it's a UTI, YI or BV. I don't have any funky discharge or smells, there's no pain when I pee - I'm just dry and itchy. It's all external - internally I feel fine!

I started thinking about it today and realized that this started up when my mom bought me a new laundry detergent. I have a stacked washer and dryer and have to use the HE type detergents. I usually buy the regular HE Tide kind but mom brought me some of the HE Tide that has Febreeze in it and is lavender scented. I've used lavender scented detergents before, my usual softener is lavender scented actually. I've never used my usual lavender scented detergent since I got the stacked washer and dryer though because it's not HE. Is it possible that I'm having an allergic reaction to the laundry detergent? Maybe because it's heavily concentrated or because it has Febreeze in it it's irritating me? All of the panties I've been wearing have been washed with the new detergent - I'm lazy and take the clothes right out of the dryer and they end up on the couch, then I just pick clothes out from that pile and go. Tonight after my shower I went into my bedroom and found a pair of clean panties that hadn't been washed with the new detergent and I'm actually feeling a little better already. 

Is there something I can pick up at the drugstore tomorrow that might help with the dryness and the itching? 


ETA: I just talked to my mom - she's a Medical Assitant and a Paramedic so I figured if it was something more than irritation she could tell me to go to the doctor. Anyways, she told me that she's itchy too! She's been using the detergent as well and didn't put two and two together. I didn't think to ask her what to do about the dryness and itching though... So I still need suggestions!

Comments

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Vagisil makes an anti-itch cream (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=12644&catid=652) specifically for vulvar itching and irritation. :)

[100ofme.livejournal.com]

benedryl should help. also rewash all your clothes in your usual detergent.

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

If you think it's the new detergent, I'd start by rewashing all your undies in a detergent that you know won't upset you, if need be twice, with very thorough rinsing. I had trouble of this sort for months, and eventually got myself to a doctor at the Family Planning Clinic who specialises in vulval pain, who worked out that it was probably contact dermatitis from a change in shampoo, and also referred me to Dermatology for patch testing. (My upper arms and back are covered in just under 200 patches as I type.) She tried me on Diprobase first, which might work for some but made me worse. Aqueous cream was also suggested, didn't make any difference. Finally she tried Trimovate, a steroid which is also an antifungal and antiviral, and that did the trick. You probably shouldn't self-prescribe that sort of stuff, so I suppose your best bet is to get to someone medicky and ask for something soothing for contact dermatitis in the genital area.

As for the lavender scent, bear in mind that none of these products are likely to have actual lavender in them, it'll all be chemical fragrances, and not necessarily the same ones. See if you can find yourself something unfragranced. The eco-friendly brands are often better in that respect. I can't tolerate commercial cleaning products or toiletries at all, myself.

[dreammeanyway.livejournal.com]

second the getting something unscented. I used to love the lavender and vanilla scented fabric softener. But I'm much less itchy since I switched to unscented detergent and fabric softener (have allergies that cause symptoms in my skin as well as the usual places).