| Vaginal is an uneasy symptom that happens due to skin disorders or so. While a salt water bath and apple cider vinegar are supposed to help, they do not always. So keep a look at other remedies like Hydrogen Peroxide etc, you never know which remedy would work for you. Read on to know more about home remedies for vaginal itching |
Any woman that has gone through the painful signs and symptoms of vaginitis or vaginal itching would be able to relate to the irritation, infection and more that we are going to talk about.
What is Vaginal Itching?
Vaginal itching is an uneasy, sometimes painful and unpleasant symptom that often arises because of infection, irritants used around the vagina, and menopause too. There are even cases to show where STDs and skin diseases of a certain kind have caused Vaginal itching in women. The rarest of rare cases have been because of vulva cancer, say experts.
Now that you have a basic overview of what Vaginal itching is all about, let’s learn about the causes and symptoms, before proceeding onto what home remedies can be used as well, shall we?
List of 8 Causes of Vaginal Itching
Talking about the causes that give birth to the annoying Vaginal itching, here are a couple of infamous ones that experts say add fuel to the fire. Check them out and understand them all better.
1. Vaginal itching can happen because of irritants
When the vagina is exposed to irritants such as chemicals, soaps, harsh deodorized feminine products, scented toilet paper and more, vaginal itching occurs. Sometimes, contraceptives when used topically can cause itching of the vagina.
The use of the above mentioned irritants can trigger an allergic reaction which forms a very itchy pesky rash over the vagina and its surrounding areas.
2. Check if you have skin disorders and diseases
Skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema- skin diseases that can cause inflammation and itching of the skin, redness too around the vagina, can be some of the causes. What happens is that the outbreaks of these symptoms spread, and they spread fast all over the body; the vagina too.
3. Vaginal itching could be caused by yeast infections
Natural occurring fungi, yeast would be seen mostly around the genital region, the nails and the toes or fingers of an individual. It is said; around three out of four women would suffer from yeast infections in some point of their lives, according to experts from the medical world.
Yeast infections are a result of strong antibiotic doses that destroy non-pathogenic or good bacteria in the body, while killing pathogenic or bad bacteria too. If the good bacteria aren’t around, yeast growth isn’t kept in check and can cause severe Vaginal itching- lumpy discharges, itching and burning too.
4. Bacterial vaginosis can cause Vaginal itching
On the same lines of yeast infection in the vagina, BV would be triggered when there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the genital zone. One would have abnormal foul smelling discharges from the vagina and immense Vaginal itching too.
5. STDs are to be blamed as well
There are cases where women suffering from a range of STDs or sexually transmitted diseases contract Vaginal itching. If the sexual intercourse act is unprotected when one is sexually active, vaginal itching can happen. Some of the STDs that cause Vaginal itching to a large extent are Chlamydia, gonnorhea, genital warts and herpes, and trichomoniasis.
6. Menopause and menstruation
If you are undergoing the phase of menopause, or have undergone it already, chances are that you may have Vaginal itching. This happens because the oestrogen levels in the body during menopausal phase can cause vaginal atrophy or excess of drying of the vagina. When dryness is too much, the irritation and itching of the vagina begins.
7. It could be because of stress
Stress can play havoc on many spheres of our lives, and including vaginal itching too. This isn’t a very common cause of Vaginal itching though, however, stress as many experts say, can be reason enough for the immune system to be weakened over time. If the immune system is weak, the body is more prone to a whole load of infections; Vaginal itching being one of them.
8. Hope It Is Not Vulvar Cancer
As mentioned, vulvar cancer too can be reasons why one has vaginal itching. This is a cancer of the vulva- the outer part of the woman’s genitalia.
We hope the eight causes that are discussed shows you light on how Vaginal itching happens. Now let’s go further and discuss the symptoms of Vaginal itching, for a better understanding, shall we?
Symptoms of Vaginal Itching
Talking about the symptoms of Vaginal itching, here are a few.
What you need:
- Ice cubes
- Cotton towel
How to do
- Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a clean cotton towel
- Gently press the area affected for a minute.
- Hold on to the cold compress for as much as you can; keeping in mind your comfort level.
- Do this thrice a day and feel the difference.
2. Salt Water Bath
The use of salt water bath as an anti-microbial and antibacterial cleanse is a must when you suffer from Vaginal itching. This is because the pesky microbe growth is highly controlled when salt comes into contact with the vaginal itch, and this in turn would bring down the discomfort.
What you need:
- Teaspoon of salt
- Warm water
How to do
- Add a teaspoon of table salt to a mug of warm water
- Rinse the vagina with the mixture.
- This should be done twice a day for best results.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its medicinal and anti-bacterial properties, which kills the microbes inside the vagina. This would also bring down the itchiness and inflammation to a large extent.
What you need
- Tampon
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water
How to do
- Soak a tampon in a mix of one quart water and one quart apple cider vinegar,
- Insert the same into the vagina.
- Keep it for an hour to the max.
- After an hour, the tampon should be removed and the vagina should be rinsed with warm water.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has hydrating and medicinal properties which can be used when you have vaginal itching. This brings down the inflammation and the itching, thanks to the antimicrobial properties of the oil.
What you need
- Coconut oil
- Warm water
How to do
- Add three tablespoons of coconut oil around the affected zone
- Keep for half an hour or more
- Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
5. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a potent agent to deal with Vaginal itching. The oxygen content in hydrogen peroxide helps to eliminate the fungal yeast infection. However, you may experience a burning sensation in the afflicted locations because of the mixture, which can be quite intense if the infection is quite severe.
What you need
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Warm water
How to do
- Mix a teaspoon of the liquid hydrogen peroxide to a cup of warm water.
- Pour the mix onto the vagina very carefully.
- Do this once a day
- Pat dry the area thereafter.
source: newhealthadvisor.com
6. Honey
Honey is nature’s natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, which is why; we would suggest the use of honey to beat vaginal itching.
What you need
- Honey
- Lukewarm water
How to do
- Layer the vagina with plenty of honey
- Wait for half an hour till the honey turns dry
- Rinse the area with lukewarm water
- This should be done twice a day.
7. Turmeric And Milk
Consuming turmeric milk can flush toxins out of the body and heal the internal organs too. In the case of Vaginal itching, turmeric milk when consumed helps balance the pH levels internally and to flush out any of the bacteria that cause Vaginal itching too.
What you need
- Raw turmeric
- Warm milk
How to do
- A teaspoon of raw turmeric should be added to a glass of warm milk
- Consume once a day.
8. Anti-bacterial talc
Whenever you wash and rinse the vagina, using any of the home remedies above, it would be important to pat dry the area. This helps avoid infection.
What you need
- Medicated talcum powder
How to do
To further dry up and prevent Vaginal, medicated talc powders should be used twice a day.
9. Yogurt
Yogurt has microflora in it which can help set up colonies around the internal organs and the vagina. This would thus help combat bad bacterial growth too and bring down Vaginal itching to a large extent as well.
What you need
- Tampon
- Natural Yoghurt
How to do
Method 1:
- Consume yogurt daily.
Method 2:
- Dip a tampon in yogurt
- Insert it into the vagina
- Let the tampon be inside for two hours
- Remove and wash the area with warm water and pat dry.
- This should be done twice a day.
Natural yogurt and not processed or sweetened yogurt should be used.
10. Garlic
Thanks to the presence of allicin in garlic, Vaginal itching can be brought down. This is because of the antibiotic and antibacterial properties it possesses and that which can kill the yeast too; brings down itching and redness, and other discomfort levels as well.
What you need
- Garlic oil
- Vitamin E
How to do
- Mix a drop of garlic oil with vitamin E
- Apply it on the vagina.
- Wait for ten minutes
- Wash off with warm water.
- This should be done twice a day for relief.
Medical experts opine, when one eats three garlic pods raw in a day, the immune system is kept in good shape and health, and helps fight infections such as Vaginal itching too.
Source: newrecipesforlife.com
11. Indian Lilac aka Neem
The use of Indian lilac as an antiseptic for long has been known, and it helps deal with Vaginal itching too.
What you need
- Neem leaves
- Warm water
How to do
- Neem leaves should be added as a handful to a mug of warm water.
- Boil the leaves and remove them through straining.
- Use the strained water to rinse the vaginal area with
- Once a day is more than enough to kill the bacteria and to bring down the itching.
12. Kefir
Women in the middle east have been using kefir- a fermented dairy product- helping in bringing down Vaginal itching for a very long time. The probiotic bacteria can help colonize the vaginal area, which is good say medical experts. This helps prevent the spreading of bad bacteria.
What you need
- Tampon
- Kefir
How to do
- Dip a tampon in the kefir
- Insert the tampon in the vagina
- Keep it inside for around two hours and then remove.
- Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
- Do this once a day to get relief.
Alternatively, if you can drink two cups of kefir in a day, which is somewhat like unflavored lassi, it would help clean the insides too and bring down Vaginal itching as well.
13. Cranberry Juice
The juice of any berry, especially cranberry can be very useful in combating Vaginal itching. This is because, berries such as cranberries can cause an acidic environment to develop, which is not conducive for the yeast to grow.
What you need
How to do
Two glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice should be consumed daily to kill all the bacteria that cause Vaginal itching, internally.
source: organicfacts.net
14. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil brings down inflammation, redness and swelling to a large extent, say medical experts.
What you need
- Tea tree oil
- Aloe vera gel
- Warm water
How to do
- Add four to five drops of the oil to a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel.
- Mix and apply to the affected zone.
- Let it sit for half an hour
- Wash off with warm water.
- This should be done twice a day until relief is found.
15. Chamomile
Chamomile can be very soothing and healing for those suffering from Vaginal itching. It helps combat Vaginal itching, redness, inflammation and burning to a very large extent too.
What you need
- Chamomile tea
- Tea tree oil
- Anti-bacterial talc
How to do
- Make a cup of chamomile tea sans sweetening it
- To this add three drops of tea tree oil
- Mix well and rinse the vagina with this liquid twice a day.
- Let it dry and then use an anti-bacterial talc.
16. Rosemary leaves
To curb the growth of bacteria and cultivation of fungi around the vagina, rosemary leaves can be used to make an anti bacterial potion.
What you need
- Rosemary leaves
- Anti-bacterial talc.
How to do
- Add a few rosemary leaves to a cup of boiling water.
- Cover the cup and let the brewing of the leaves happen for ten minutes.
- Remove and strain.
- Use this potion to wash the vagina with, twice a day.
- Pat dry and use an anti-bacterial talc.
17. Boric Acid
Vaginal itching can be dealt with by using boric acid, which is antifungal and antiseptic. Boric acid can also help you get relief from the burning, itching and other discomforts too.
What you need
- Boric acid
- Warm water
How to do
- A teaspoon of boric acid is mixed with a mug of water
- Apply the mixture on the vagina and wait for five minutes.
- Rinse with warm water
- Do this twice a day every day!
With that, we come to the end of home remedies that you can use to deal with vaginal itching. To further help you, let’s learn about the lifestyle tips to follow and the prevention of Vaginal itching, so that we don’t suffer at all. Take a look!
source: boricacid.net
Lifestyle to follow to Handle Vaginal Itching
A very healthy lifestyle to follow is a must each day, which is why, here are a couple of things you need to follow, so that Vaginal itching doesn’t happen to you. Take a look!
1. Avoid The Use Of Irritants
Avoid chemical feminine products, substances, creams and condoms or contraceptive foams that can irate the vaginal walls and create Vaginal itching. Also stay as much as possible away from laundry detergents that have harsh chemicals in them, and do not use scented toilet paper.
2. Avoid Whirlpool Spas
Bacteria grows best in warm and wet conditions, which is why avoiding whirlpool baths are advised. The whirlpool spa is what helps bacteria grow in the vagina all the more, and even the fungal infection can spread too. The spa can be annoying to the vaginal walls, and induce Vaginal itching as well. And if the spas and tubs are being shared by others, chances are you may contact the same in no time.
3. Sleep Without Wearing Underwear
Medical science advises women suffering from Vaginal itching to sleep without wearing underwear. This helps keep the area dry and hence there wouldn’t be a chance for the area to be damp, so no reason for the bacteria and fungi to develop and grow too. When there is no heat and moisture trapped, there would be no reason why Vaginal itching would happen to you.
4. Wear Cotton Underwear
Stick to wearing cotton underwear only, because the fabric is light in weight and allows the area to breathe as well. Thong underwear and nylon or silk underwear wouldn’t allow transpiration of the area to happen better, and hence bacteria would grow. This leads to the occurrence of Vaginal itching as well around the anus and the vagina.
5. Wear loose outfits
As much as possible, wearing loose clothing should be the norm, sans the use of panty hoses too. This allows for more air flow to happen around the area and the moisture build up too is decreased to a large extent as well.
6. Drink A Lot Of Clean, Pure Water
When you drink at least eight to ten glasses of water daily, the body is equipped well-enough to flush out the toxins from the system. This also helps in balancing the pH levels in the body. And in turn, you can also prevent the vaginal walls from drying up which can cause Vaginal itching if left unchecked.
source: lyfyo.com
7. Avoid Sugar
If you want to prevent the occurrence of Vaginal itching, you need to avoid sugars – in foods and as crystal additions too. This helps balance the ecosystem of the flora in the body, and hence should be avoided at all costs. Moreover, too much sugar can raise the glycemic indexes in the body, which is why pasta, fermented foods, bananas and very sweet fruits should be avoided.
8. Don’t Scratch
Don’t be tempted to scratch the area affected, which would only make the zone more susceptible to itchiness and redness, painful inflammation and the spreading of Vaginal itching through infection.
9. Avoid Sexual Intercourse
Vaginal peno penetration should be avoided for the time being; the friction involved can be harmful to the walls of the vagina and can spread more infection, swelling and inflammation. Foreplay is a better alternative!
While we have given you tips on how to manage your lifestyle, here are preventative measures to use when Vaginal itching happens. Read on please!
- Do not have very hot baths and do not enter hot tubs that can provoke Vaginal itching and cause the infection to spread.
- Chemical products and irritants are to be avoided like the plague
- Before using and after using the toilet bowl, ensure to wipe clean the area with a disinfectant.
- Douching while suffering from Vaginal itching isn’t advised. This is a time when only bathing the normal way is advised.
With the preventative measures shown and spoken off, here is a note of when to see the doctor- women need to know when visiting a doctor while suffering from Vaginal itching is a must.
When to See a Doctor
If you are not able to sleep well at night because of the annoying itching, or when the itching is rampant during the day or the night, at work or at play, you need to check if the underlying conditions are serious or not. This is only to be done by visiting a certified gynae for the same.
- When the itching doesn’t leave you in a week’s time.
Here are the other signs!
- When you have blisters and ulcers around and on the vulva area
- When the tenderness and the pain in the genital area is too much to bear
- When the swelling and redness of the genital area is glaring in your face
- Painful urination
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- If sex is very painful
Don’t be shy to tell the doctor everything, because hiding your problems wouldn’t solve anything. Even if you have to talk about the sexual activities involved, please speak up so that the doctor can advise the best for you.
- In some cases, you may have to undergo a pelvic examination, where a physical and visual inspection of the vulva would happen using a speculum to check inside the vagina.
- Some doctors would also insert their hand into the vagina to check for abnormalities.
- Some doctors would also collect skin tissue samples from the vulva to check for discharges that happen or may do a simple urine test as well.
source: pinterest
FAQ’s
1. Why do I get so itchy after my period?
Vaginal Itching is mostly the result of yeast formation, vaginal dryness, or a fungal infection. So the period time span, includes a lot of blood coming out and could become stagnant on the pad for a long time, which could induce an infection if not changed regularly.
2. Is it normal to itch while on your period?
Yes, it is normal to feel a sense of itchiness during your menstrual cycle. The itchiness refers to the usual factors that cause vaginal itching and don’t pertain to any new reasons that it related to periods.
3. Can you get irritation from tampons?
Tampons have a way to be handled. The way they are put is the most important to master while using them, otherwise it could cause irritation. If not put the right way, tampons not only cause irritation but could also be fatal. Although tampons are more comfortable in the long run.
4. Can wearing pads make you itch?
This depends from person to person, and the brand of pad. Some pads don’t suit the skin type and therefore, need to be changed. If the pads don’t suit you, it can cause itching and a skin rash. If the pads suit you, then itching shouldn’t be a problem.
5. Why do I get itchy after intercourse?
After intercourse, lichen sclerosis, an infection that mimics a yeast infection is the reason of itchiness after intercourse. This could cause itching and burning in the vagina, and a lot of discomfort.
6. Can sanitary pads cause yeast infections?
The two main reasons for sanitary pads to even cause yeast infections are :
- The sanitary napkins not being changed timely. Being left on the panties for a long long time.
- The pad not suiting the skin and causing rashes and dryness of the vagina.
7. Do yeast infections cause swelling?
Yeast infections can cause itching and bumps on the vaginal skin. Due to scratching and itching, these bumps could become more severe. The swelling isn’t fatal and could be reduced with timely cleanliness and medicines.
8. Is itching a sign of pregnancy?
Itching could be caused by so many random reasons. Hence, it shouldn’t be considered as a sign of pregnancy. A thorough medical check up should be on the radar, to dig out the reason of itching. Pregnancy being the result of itching is on the least probability.
Disclaimer: The information given here is for read purposes only; please check with your gynaecologist to know what best to do if you suffer from vaginal itching. The home remedies here are not an alternative to what your doctor would prescribe as medication and tests. His words would take precedence over what is written here and elsewhere around.
We want you to be happy, safe and healthy at all times. Do let us know if this mini guide on Vaginal itching was informative and helpful!
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