THIS WEEK'S CONSULTATION
Dear Sun Doc
For some time now, I have had this persistent itch in my private parts. Bathing with Dettol soap has not provided relief. How can I take care of this? Anna
Dear Anna
Itching of the area around the vaginal opening commonly occurs due to irritating substances such as soaps, infections such as sexually transmitted diseases including pubic lice and disturbance of vaginal bacteria leading to bacterial vaginosis. Other causes are skin conditions including allergy, psoriasis, after shaving and menopause, among others.
Unfortunately, the itching can cause lots of stress and yet stress on its own can also lead to itching.
Although many people blame vaginal itching on candida claiming they may have acquired it sexually, this is not the case. Humans have candida mostly on the skin, mouth, intestines, and vaginal canal or other areas save in blood or organs such as the brain.
Candida is kept in check by the body’s defenses against infections. In the vaginal canal, the defense among others is comprised of bacteria (lactobacilli) which convert vaginal glycogen into lactic acid, which helps to keep the candida in check so that it does not overgrow and lead to vaginal candida infection.
Use of antibiotics for long and applying soaps (especially medicated ones) or saliva will kill the lactobacilli, hence causing overgrowth of candida leading to infections and vaginal itching. Use of antibiotics will also kill small organisms elsewhere leading to candida infections in the mouth and big intestines. Loss of immunity such as during HIV infection, use of steroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone for Covid-19 for example, can also lead to candida infection in various places including the vaginal canal.
Use of underwear washed with detergent soaps, or putting them in antiseptics including JIK requires washing them out with bar soap otherwise these on their own will cause itching due to developing an allergy to them, apart from killing lactobacilli and causing candida infection.
Please stop using any soaps or antiseptics on the perineum and visit your doctor to find out what is causing the itching so that proper treatment is given.