Dermatologist adventures

Have been trying to keep away from reading other's experiences while I work my way through 'When Sex Hurts' (it's too tempting to think your cures will be my cures!), but I've come out of the woodwork today to have a bit of a rant...

At my last visit to the Gynecologist, I was given a biopsy and had the results a few weeks later to say I was suffering from contact allergic dermatitis. It was such a relief to finally have an answer, but at the same time, I've given up everything I can possibly think of, so when I went to pick up my steroid cream, I asked my Dr to refer me for an allergy test.

Met with the dermatologist today, and have been told that a microscope can only say 'dermatitis' or 'no dermatitis', and cannot possibly confirm whether it has been caused by an allergic reaction. We ran through a few of the things I think I'm allergic to, but the dermatologist thinks it's unlikely I'm allergic to anything, as the allergic reaction wouldn't just be limited to my vagina (i.e. if it's dye on my underwear, then I'd be scratching all over my bum too)

Now I'm just really confused again. I've been told for the last 4 years that it's possible to only have an allergic reaction in the vaginal region, because the skin is more sensitive, and now I'm being told by someone else that giving up sulfates, washing powder, black underwear, etc has been for nothing. Who do I listen to? Clearly a dermatologist knows dermatitis, but I've had 3 vaginal specialists tell me that it CAN be an allergic reaction only in the vagina! Now I'm just really confused! Do I start using washing powder again?  

At the very least, I'm glad that the dermatologist has agreed it is definitely dermatitis, and he said it's not uncommon for ladies to be affected by it, and he has given me various products to try out, with a time frame for when I should expect to see results. Apparently I stopped using the steroid cream prescribed by my gynecologist too soon, but he recommended I stop using that anyway as it caused everything to go really swollen, and it shouldn't have.

the only thing I can tell you that might help is one of my friends gets dermatitis on her vulvar only, she doesn't get it anywhere else so it must be possible. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

Yeah, he said it was more common that you'd think for women to get dermatitis in the vulval area (so could be something to consider for others).

I'm still glad I have a reasonable diagnosis, even if I am still confused about it! It's just my absolute fear is that I will fix myself and then use a product I'm allergic to and bring it all back again.

He did say he's never heard of anyone being allergic to sanitary products though, which I thought was maybe a bit of BS - I've heard of a few people who can be, and it's definitely a product we only use in that area (which would explain the lack of reaction elsewhere).

Just had to sort out a weeks worth of travel insurance ahead of my holidays this week - had to declare dermatitis on the insurance form (even though I'm covered by the EHIC card for any medical conditions) and it added £5 to my policy. This condition just gets more and more expensive! £5 here, £15 there, I must have spent hundreds over the last 4 years!

Hello Elc,
I'm curious to know what your symptoms are? I am also seeing a derm specialist. I cannot find my allergen. I am having allergy testing done at the end ofvthus month.
I will keep u posted. Have you considered your toilet paper? I read an article about a woman who suffered 4 yrs and realized when she traveled her symptoms went away. They finally figured out it was her toilet paper and only affected vulvar skin due to its more sensitive tissue.....other skin is apparently tougher. Just a thought. I wish you well! May we all find answers. I am now trying to limit gluten in my diet. Not easy!

Leslieg wrote:Hello Elc,
I'm curious to know what your symptoms are?  I am also seeing a derm specialist.  I cannot find my allergen.  I am having allergy testing done at the end ofvthus month.  
I will keep u posted.  Have you considered your toilet paper? I read an article about a woman who suffered 4 yrs and realized when she traveled her symptoms went away.  They finally figured out it was her toilet paper and only affected vulvar skin due to its more sensitive tissue.....other skin is apparently tougher.  Just a thought.  I wish you well!  May we all find answers.  I am now trying to limit gluten in my diet. Not easy!

When it started out, I used to be very itchy, but not so much any more. It's hard to describe it now, I just get a very raw tearing sensation on penetration that feels like there is a flap of skin catching at the back (but there's definitely not). Afterwards, my vestibule feels like when you have a bad bruise forming on your arm, and this sensation will occasionally come on if I've been sitting for a long time.

Something like toilet paper would make a lot of sense to me, because it's something we only use on that area, but according to the dermatologist I saw, if it was an allergy to toilet paper, it would cause pain around your bum too. I did wonder if it was tampons or sanitary products (although my dermatologist does not think this is likely because he's never heard of anyone being allergic to sanitary products :/). I did persevere with ordinary tampons for a while, but found they would become itchy and uncomfortable throughout the day. I started using all natural sanitary products last year, and don't seem to get so much grief from the natural tampons.

I am booked in for an allergy test at the end of this month - have you seen that you're supposed to avoid getting your back wet for a week? I have a feeling my work colleagues will be asking to get moved that week!

I did hear I cannot get my back wet....ought to be interesting for sure. My symptoms occur daily. I have feelings of raw skin, irritated skin. I also feel burning w/ penetration and sometimes bleed. I use lidocaine daily in varied amounts. I hope we find answers! When did your symptoms begin? Was there a triggering event?

To add....I've also heard of women being sensitive to some sanitary products. The vulvar clinic I go to says to avoid 'Always' pads.

Elc, I just found 'your story' so please don't feel the need to repost it. I also wonder what the ingredients in the bath bomb were. It sounds like that was the initial irritant and now something else is irritating the already irritated skin. Does it come and go?

Leslieg wrote:Elc, I just found 'your story' so please don't feel the need to repost it.  I also wonder what the ingredients in the bath bomb were.  It sounds like that was the initial irritant and now something else is irritating the already irritated skin.  Does it come and go?

The bath bomb was from Lush, and none of the ingredients stand out. I wondered was whether the bath bomb really did just give me thrush but I had an allergic reaction to the cream or that using the creams softened the skin to make me more susceptible to a reaction to something else? I did get a patch of eczema on my leg after that bath too!

Do you have any idea what was the trigger for you? It sounds really horrible if it is making you bleed! You're the second person to mention Always to me though - I even contacted them and another company to ask if they could send me a list of ingredients to help me see if there were any common links, but they both got back and said their recipes were 'top secret' due to competition...

The bleeding occurs slightly after intercourse now and again especially if its been awhile. My issues began after my first child. Then went away for a bit. Then I had a serious bowel infection and was on antibiotics for a long time. I was off antibiotics for about 2-3 months had sex then got a yeast infection and the symptoms never really went away. I now always test negative for yeast. I really thought I had lichen planus but biopsy was inconclusive. I always 'feel' the irritation daily but it varies from mild- severe. I'm now thinking the antibiotic messed up my immune system somehow. My most recent efforts were to wash all my underwear w/ sensitive skin soap and triple rinse them as we'll as towels. I avoid toilet paper when I'm home. Also started gluten free diet and limiting dairy as well. My symptoms are fairly mild at the moment but its only been 2 days on diet. I will keep you posted. I occasionally use a strong steroid ointment but it doesn't seem to help when I need it to. I use lidocaine numbing ointment daily. Trying to stay hopeful and optimistic! Be well....

Sorry for taking ages to read this - I've been on holiday (lovely to get away with the OH, but seemed like such a waste of a fancy hotel suite!) I hope you do find your answer soon, it's frustrating to get a little better and then worse again. Hope the diet is making a difference!

I personally have just come from appt one of my allergy test, which means the allergens were applied today. I'm not sure how long they would take to irritate the skin, but I do have an itchy spot on my back that seems to line up with one of the patches, and another couple are a stinging a little bit, though I think it could just be where the tape is pulling at my skin/I'm expecting it. I'm 99% confident I have a nickel allergy (non-sterling silver earrings make my ear lobes swell if I wear them for too long), but it will be interesting to see what the other patches show up.

Hello! I hope you finally find some answers! My first allergy test is Monday. Keep us posted!

Leslieg I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I was so itchy by today, it was a relief to know they were coming off! I have one very strong irritation/allergic reaction and one irritation which may or may not turn in to a reaction. The probable allergy is Nickel, like I thought. The possible one is Cobalt, which is not uncommon for people with nickel allergies apparently. There is still a chance some of the other patches will flare up now the patch has actually come off, but have to wait until Monday to find out.