Thrush or just irritation?

[finding-jay.livejournal.com]

Hi, ladies,

I'm currently on antibiotics for an ear infection, and have been for the past two weeks. In the past three days, my labia have been itchy. It's mostly between the majora and minora. On the day I developed it, I was wearing a pair of a panties where the crotch was a lot smaller than I'm used to, and it kept scratching against me in that particular area. At the time I figured it was just that, and it possibly caused some minor scratches, but it's been three days now and it hasn't stopped.

I've never had thrush before- and I've previously been on hardcore antibiotics for six months, so I'd be surprised if these mild pills caused me to develop my first case- and so far my only 'symptom' is an itchy fanny. I have no unusual discharge, and no smell. Just an itchy vag. Should I go to the pharmacy tomorrow and grab myself some cream (I worked in pharmacy for three years and kind of got known as the yeast cream girl because I was so unafraid to say vagina/penis/anus around the customers and talk about discharge without blushing) just in case?

Alternatively, if I have gone and accidentally cut myself whilst digging around, is it safe to put a mild antiseptic on my pink bits or should I just keep my hand out of my pants?



Note- I'm certain it's not an STD. I've been with the same man for three years and neither of us have one. Obviously if this doesn't clear up, I'll go back to my doctor.

Comments

[bloobottle.livejournal.com]

Note: fanny means arse in most places in the US, not vulva like in the UK :)

It's entirely possible that it is yeast, or something else entirely. Lots of things can cause itching. Best talk to a doctor before using thrush cream in case it turns out to be something else.

Extra note: Most people here prefer if you don't use gendered terms to address people. Not everyone here identifies as female, let alone as a lady. They're just vagina owners and enthusiasts :)

[reflectionriver.livejournal.com]

I've been suffering from a bit of this just now myself. I'm fairly certain mine is a yeast infection - I took a three day course of Monistat (an OTC yeast infection cream from the pharmacy) and it got much better. So, perhaps you have the same! Also, I've totally gotten a yeast infection while taking antibiotics, so perhaps that did have an effect this time as well.

Good luck!

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Not really a lady, but I'll cast my vote for probable yeast infection. Yeast doesn't present the exact same way every time, and it's totally possible to have one with all the itching and none of the discharge.

Even if you haven't gotten one from hardcore abx before, that's not really an indication that your vaginal bacteria are resistant to this abx.

If you don't want to make monistat-resistant yeast by possibly treating a non-yeastie with otc yeast infection cream, then swing on by your wonderfully government funded health care clinic and get swabbed. (Yeah, I'm jealous.) Or, you could try out some of the home treatments on vaginapagina.com. I recommend the garlic pessaries or since this seems to be largely external, a reacidifying rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar. Some people really like yogurt treatments; I find them messier than they're worth. But they are soothing! Whichever you choose, expect to use the method for a few days before seeing results, and then continue until a day or longer beyond the cessation of all symptoms.

Whatever you do, I suggest you probiotics like live yogurt, or the kind that come in pills. Even if you decide to use an otc cream or get a diflucan pill from a doc, you may want to supplement the treatment with a probiotic course or home treatment, just to make sure it's gone. If you buy the medicinal cream, go for a 3, 5 or even 7 day course, as the one day tends to cause burning in people. (I get burning with even a 3 or 5 day, but it's not as bad as the one day!)

Good luck!