Ack!

[orangeveggie.livejournal.com]

For about a year or two, I've been getting a bit of a diaper rash in the between-my-legs and anal area during my periods. I figured that sort of makes sense, since having a wet wad of stuff between your legs is bound to cause some irritation.
But all of a sudden, for maybe the past two weeks, which have been period-less, I've had what feels like this same raw, icky-feeling rash, though the skin doesn't seem to be red. Possible factors: I just started college at the end of last month (stress source, I guess), and it's a walking campus and I'm taking a twice-a-week dance class (sources of sweat --> wet). And as of this week, it looks like I've developed a yeastie as well. I spent the day at an amusement park, and when I wasn't confronting my acrophobia on roller coasters, I was busy trying not to show that I was experiencing the most intense non-injury/fever-related discomfort I've ever felt.
Does anyone have an idea as to what's wrong and what to do about it? I'd eschew my jeans for skirts to make things a little better, if it weren't getting rainy and cold around here. Do you think my gyno would be able to figure this out if I asked my parents to call him, or am I going to have to go to Student Health for an exam?
Please help . . .

Comments

[tyrsalvia.livejournal.com]

sounds like jock itch. get some lotrimin af cream from the store (it will be with foot stuff, because it is primarily marketed to people for athlete's foot) and use as directed. i've had similar problems in the past, and this has helped.

[orangeveggie.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your advice! But would that cause problems if it turned out to be something other than jock itch?

[krasota.livejournal.com]

When I get those rashes, I find that they're usually fungal in nature. The trigger can be an allergic reaction that breaks the skin, which allows the goo to move right in. In my case, it burns and itches and the skin gets soft and kind of icky.

Anyhow, I just splash a couple (two to four, actually) ounces apple cider vinegar in a two cup container and fill the rest with tepid water, then pour that over my perineum after showering, going to the bathroom, sweating, etc. Using an OTC remedy might work better for you, but I have too many allergies/sensitivities. ;)


For what it's worth, I wear skirts all the time. perhaps my constant wearing of tights is proving part of my problem, perhaps not. I know that my current case was triggered by my swimsuit. I think I managed to get one which contains rubber in the elastic and I've reacted to it.. ugh.

[orangeveggie.livejournal.com]

Yay, a remedy I should be able to find in my tiny town that only has one grocery store and a bookstore that carries some common medical effects! Now to figure out how to perform this procedure in my room (yay, singles!) without making a mess . . .

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Get a 16 or 20 oz soda bottle, empty and clean it. Put the vinegar in the bottle in your room. have a funnel handy if your hands aren't steady. If you have a sink, go ahead and fill the bottle the rest of the way. Then take the bottle to the bathroom with you. Minimal mess and the bottle will probably fit into your robe pocket or backpack (if you're on your way to class). Keep a towel/washcloth handy for patting your bum dry. This is important.

Of course, I never wore a robe to the shower. I just wrapped myself in my towel. I lived on single-sex and co-ed floors at various times, but never bothered with a robe. ;)

[orangeveggie.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Am I supposed to use the whole bottle every time?

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I use about that much every time. It's a very dilute solution.