***** Before finding this website/forum and while researching this issue (my labia minora is dry and cracking), I came across this website that does say this problem is associated with sjogren, which I believe you said you have been diagnosed with.
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Ladies! Check a MEDICAL website and stop playing Dr. This is Lichen Sclerosus, not treatable with A&D or such home remedies. It's a chornic inflammatory skin disease, and you need a prescription medicine. Don't be scared, but your dr. might also recommend a biopsy for vulvar cancer.
Look up Lichen Sclerosus at www.niams.nih.gov.
This is nothing to fool around wiht.
Look up Lichen Sclerosus at www.niams.nih.gov.
This is nothing to fool around wiht.
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You might want to go to the doctor, it sounds like a yeast infection. Sometimes you don't have a lot of discharge and yeast can grown anywhere and cause irritation and sores, they are very common. You will need an anti fugal cream. Fungus is very tricky to get rid of and they tend to come back from time to time so go to your doc and get treated.
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Hello.... I have been reading all of what you have to say and I believe this must be a fungal problem. I have the same problem (cracking on the outer folds of my labia (lips)), but it only started about a month ago. It did start after I was taking a really intense antibiotic. So that might have to do with it. What I did was I used tea tree oil on myself in a bath. Tea tree oil is an anti-fungal. A sits bath is what they call it I think. It is a bath with very hot water but only enough to cover your vagina. Put tea tree oil in the bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. I also have been putting vitamin e oil on it at night which helps me sleep when it itches really badly.
Just understand that the tea tree oil does burn. But so far I think it is the best thing that has helped me.
I hope this helps a little.
Just understand that the tea tree oil does burn. But so far I think it is the best thing that has helped me.
I hope this helps a little.
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I've just read all the comments on this subject. Only one resonated with me. The person that said that Neoporin made it worse and they just keep it clean and dry and use some Vitamin E oil makes sense to me.
I've gotten these "cracks" on and off for decades and I can't remember the last time it happened. I have NO signs of vaginitis (yeast infection), which is a fungal thing. I have been on antibiotics in the past month, but I seriously doubt it has ANYTHING to do with it. It is not in the vagina and it has no symptoms or characteristics of a yeast infection. I also agree with whomever said something about vitamins. For me, I get this same exact thing in the corners of my mouth (lips) when I take alot of either Beta Carotene (Vit. A) and/or Vitamin C. I've been taking a ton of both lately and last week I did have the cracks in the corner of my lips. I just cut back or cut out the vitamins for a few days to a week and they go away. To me, this is the same thing. Neoporin is not helping. Whoever said to avoid citrus may have something there, because I think it is from the Vitamin C. I will stop the vitamins and try to keep the area DRY and then only put Vitamin E oil on it eventually and I'll let you know how it all turns out. I would have already gone to the gyno, but I'm in the middle of moving out of state. If it persists after I try what I described above, I will go to a doctor in my new area. But it DEFINITELY is just like the cracks I get in the corners of my mouth and sometimes toes. It is NOT a fungus. I think the vulva is just in a place that always has something going on and tends to stay moist, so it is harder to heal. We'll see. BTW I have these really straight wirey hairs that are sticking right in them and irritate them and between peeing and wiping, etc. , it never gets a rest. Thank you all
I've gotten these "cracks" on and off for decades and I can't remember the last time it happened. I have NO signs of vaginitis (yeast infection), which is a fungal thing. I have been on antibiotics in the past month, but I seriously doubt it has ANYTHING to do with it. It is not in the vagina and it has no symptoms or characteristics of a yeast infection. I also agree with whomever said something about vitamins. For me, I get this same exact thing in the corners of my mouth (lips) when I take alot of either Beta Carotene (Vit. A) and/or Vitamin C. I've been taking a ton of both lately and last week I did have the cracks in the corner of my lips. I just cut back or cut out the vitamins for a few days to a week and they go away. To me, this is the same thing. Neoporin is not helping. Whoever said to avoid citrus may have something there, because I think it is from the Vitamin C. I will stop the vitamins and try to keep the area DRY and then only put Vitamin E oil on it eventually and I'll let you know how it all turns out. I would have already gone to the gyno, but I'm in the middle of moving out of state. If it persists after I try what I described above, I will go to a doctor in my new area. But it DEFINITELY is just like the cracks I get in the corners of my mouth and sometimes toes. It is NOT a fungus. I think the vulva is just in a place that always has something going on and tends to stay moist, so it is harder to heal. We'll see. BTW I have these really straight wirey hairs that are sticking right in them and irritate them and between peeing and wiping, etc. , it never gets a rest. Thank you all
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This same thing has happened to me quite a few times, especially lately. I also get a long line of cracked skin that is itchy and painful. Usually it just goes away after a while but this time it seems to have passed to my boyfriend. I thought it was just dryness because I don't have any other symptoms of a yeast infection or anything but now I'm thinking it could be an STI??
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I've had the same thing once or twice from wearing an oversized pad...
Like someone said before me, if you just keep it clean and put sensitive skin lotion on it if its dry, then it should heal quick and go away.
These things just get irritated, swolen, sore and ugly sometimes because its in a very difficult/unfortunate area. If its in the crease its likely to be rubbed by pants, panties, and just more skin from walking and moving about. Sex would cause a lot of problems too before its healed %-)
Like someone said before me, if you just keep it clean and put sensitive skin lotion on it if its dry, then it should heal quick and go away.
These things just get irritated, swolen, sore and ugly sometimes because its in a very difficult/unfortunate area. If its in the crease its likely to be rubbed by pants, panties, and just more skin from walking and moving about. Sex would cause a lot of problems too before its healed %-)
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So I have had the exact same thing for 6 months. Extremely red, itchy, and cracking just like all of you have complained of. I googled it 1000 times and convinced myself I had every STD that exists. I even got an STD test and it came back completely normal. I was treated for a yeast infection 4 times. Finally I found a gynecologist that knew what this is. Its called dermatitis, and your doctor can treat it with a steroid cream. So relieved that I finally know what this is, and I hope this helps all of you is well. I know I was going crazy over this for a longgg time
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I have a 1 inch red crack on the left side of my labia, at the bottom where it curves out. I have been struggling with this for 6 months now, along with intermittent anal itching. (which can be parasites from eating sushi) i feel I am being tortured! I know it is fungal because the skin between my toes and feet used to crack when I lived in a moist area. When I went on vacation to Puerto Rico for a month the symptoms disappeared because i never wore underwear. I think it helps to get air down there as much as possible.
From my research, it is a candidiasis problem, which is yeast overgrowth in the body. It is very difficult to get rid of because you have to eliminate all sugar and alkalizing foods...like citrus fruits. I would say not to eliminate C, which is very necessary for healing in the body. You can do a yeast cleanse, which seems to help, but I notice it gets MUCH worse with any sugar or alcohol! Darn it! I do not have a vaginal infection. I think it's moisture from my vagina that drips down my crack while I am sleeping and the whole area just stays moist because it doesn't get time to dry out. Acidolpholis & tea tree & no antibiotics are very important.
From my research, it is a candidiasis problem, which is yeast overgrowth in the body. It is very difficult to get rid of because you have to eliminate all sugar and alkalizing foods...like citrus fruits. I would say not to eliminate C, which is very necessary for healing in the body. You can do a yeast cleanse, which seems to help, but I notice it gets MUCH worse with any sugar or alcohol! Darn it! I do not have a vaginal infection. I think it's moisture from my vagina that drips down my crack while I am sleeping and the whole area just stays moist because it doesn't get time to dry out. Acidolpholis & tea tree & no antibiotics are very important.
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Also have the same problem - latex not it--I use the ring for birth control. Not on any other medications, no known allergies. My instincts tell me it is probably the yeast overgrowth. Last month I had what I thought to be the beginning signs of a yeast infection, but they went away very quickly. Also. where I live is very cold, and I have heard that bacteria can build up on things like shower towels if you don't let them dry out properly, and workout clothes if you keep them on too long. I'm gonna try the dietary theory on this one..I'm going to try incorporating more yogurt into my diet. I'll let you girls know how it goes...but FYI for those of you also trying this method--if you use a yogurt such as Dannon Activia, which touts its acidolpholis content, be advised that it's also loaded with sugar, or sweetener of some kind. Try plain yogurt--you can flavor it with fresh fruit or stevia which is a natural sweetener (not sugar). For those of you who don't like the bitter aftertaste (like me) there is non-bitter stevia available out there...
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I'm so happy to read so many posts with the same problem! Good to know I'm not alone. I'm going with the yeast infection possibility and will let you know after 3 days if the crack in the skin has disappeared. We had a very active weekend and I think irritation and moisture causes the yeast infection and the infection causes the crack...???
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I also have this problem. It appeared about a month after giving birth. I chalked it up to dryness from breast feeding. But it continued when I stopped breast feeding so I asked my doctor. I was treated for bacterial vaginosis twice and yeast infection once. The problem continues. My doctor prescribed me an estrogen cream that is applied internally. I never tried it because the side effects weren't worth it. In my case, I believe it's dryness from my change in hormones, and now birth control pill.
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I just thought this would be helpful for the lady that posted about the Zeasorb. The ingredient in it is the same as in many products, one of them being Monistat. That's why it works so well. And, I find its cheaper!! This stuff works amazingly, and because it's not Monistat brand, you can get more for a lot less. Which helps when this cracking flippyflop problem occurs on a regular basis.
Good luck ladies! I am dealing with this problem right now. Haven't slept in two days. AAARRRRRGGGHHHH! Itchy, painful, cracked ....... aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Stupid broken vagina o.O
Good luck ladies! I am dealing with this problem right now. Haven't slept in two days. AAARRRRRGGGHHHH! Itchy, painful, cracked ....... aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Stupid broken vagina o.O
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I feel so relieved to find so many other people suffering with the same problem, I felt as though I was completly alone with it.
Ive suffered with this problem since I was around 14 and like many of you I was told it was a yeast infection, but the treatment would furthur aggrivate the cracking.
At times the pain was so bad that I could not sleep or manage to sit comfortably and was incredibly distressing, especially as the doctors were all very hazy when I visited them.
I had every imaginable test for various STDs and other vaginal problems which all came back complelty clear.
After 2 doctors, a nurse and many visits to my OB-GYN I was told it was a skin germ that causes dermatitis like symptoms and was prescribed a steroid cream called fucidin which has worked amazingly well. I also find that vaseline is very helpful in moisturising the skin without hurting or causing any reaction if you feel as though the symptoms may be starting.
Im not sure what causes the problem as I go about a year with nothing and then suddenly I find myself in pain which spreads to cracked skin very quickly but at least now I know what to do if it ever happens.
If anyone finds out what the cause of this is please let me know.
Ive suffered with this problem since I was around 14 and like many of you I was told it was a yeast infection, but the treatment would furthur aggrivate the cracking.
At times the pain was so bad that I could not sleep or manage to sit comfortably and was incredibly distressing, especially as the doctors were all very hazy when I visited them.
I had every imaginable test for various STDs and other vaginal problems which all came back complelty clear.
After 2 doctors, a nurse and many visits to my OB-GYN I was told it was a skin germ that causes dermatitis like symptoms and was prescribed a steroid cream called fucidin which has worked amazingly well. I also find that vaseline is very helpful in moisturising the skin without hurting or causing any reaction if you feel as though the symptoms may be starting.
Im not sure what causes the problem as I go about a year with nothing and then suddenly I find myself in pain which spreads to cracked skin very quickly but at least now I know what to do if it ever happens.
If anyone finds out what the cause of this is please let me know.
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