Sometimes women who suffer from repeat thrush infections don’t actually have thrush at all.
As Dr Christian Jesson of Channel 4′s Embarrassing Bodies pointed out: “One of the problems with over the counter remedies is that, it’s great that they’re available but sometimes they stop people from going to ask their doctor, ‘Is this really what I’ve got?“.
Continually self-diagnosing can be a bad idea – particularly if the symptoms keep on recurring, despite using the treatments.
One of the ladies on the programme came to see him complaining of persistent thrush. She had used a number of over the counter cures but it wasn’t getting any better. He examined her with a speculum and, certainly, the discharge looked like thrush. A swab was sent off for examination but proved to contain no Candida bacteria whatsoever.
Further investigation by a dermatologist revealed that this patient actually had a small split at the junction where the labia majora met the labia minora, a symptom which is consistent with either eczema or psoriasis of the vulva.
As with psoriasis anywhere else on the body, it can be caused by all sorts of factors, including stress and an allergy to washing detergents. This lady was prescribed a steroid ointment to relieve the burning and itching symptoms and advised to wash using an aqueous cream or emollient, rather than her usual soap, as this helps to maintain the natural Ph balance of the skin.
This seemed to clear matters up satisfactorily.
For more information on vulvar psoriasis and male genital psoriasis
Thanks for this post. I suspect it's more to do with the fragile EDS skin than excema or psoriasis but that's the exact problem I get….a split/tear between the lab major & lab minor as well as one closer to the vaginal entrance. I never, ever use soap on the area, but used to be a bit of an over washer so I reckon years of that have added to the problem. I use Aqueous cream as a wash & it does make a big difference to symptoms. I've got an appointment with a dermatologist soon for another issue but this post means I'm more likely to ask for advice about the skin issues. Thanks Joanna love BG Xx
You’re welcome x It was a new one on me so I thought it might be good to share. Hope you can get it sorted out x
Hello JC.
Interesting post. I have to say having never suffered from thrush or psoriasis, but they do not seem very pleasant. I think the whole self diagnosis thing has gone way to far. everyone is an expert and looks it up on t'internet and bingo job done or not done as your post illustrates. The problem is every time I look up my symptoms on t'internet I come away thinking I have something really serious, although man flu is pretty deadly, ask any bloke.
Ciao Ciao
your old pal UN
XX
Uncle Norm!!! Welcome back x
Use the internet wisely and you can come away with information to torment your GP :) I don’t have huge faith in a lot of general practitioners because they don’t always keep up to date with recent trends, other than those that are fed to them by the pharmaceutical companies. And specialists too seem to be happy to give you more medication to sort out any side-effects of other medications, making things rather hit and miss :(