What to do when you have BV related vaginal itching and burning symptoms
February 16th, 2010
Vaginal itching, burning sensation and irritation are common symptoms in vaginitis. These symptoms are typical in vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms also occur in bacterial vaginosis, although some women with BV will not experience any symptoms at all.
It is impossible for a woman not to experience vaginal irritation at all in her life. Normal vaginal itching or irritation often gets better on its own without any treatment. However, if the itching or irritation persists to become unbearable, then it’s time to see a doctor to find out the exact problem that is causing the symptoms. Only when the cause is identified, the itching can be treated accordingly.
If you experience vaginal itching/burning accompanied with a white to grayish vaginal discharge that smells like fish, it could be bacterial vaginosis (BV).
BV is normally treated with oral antibiotic tablet or vaginal antibiotic cream/gel to get rid of the bacteria that are causing bacterial vaginosis and its symptpoms. But if the symptoms become so unbearable before BV clears up, there are several over-the-counter (OTC) solutions and natural remedies that can help to allay, if not remove, vaginal itching/burning.
OTC solutions
Keep a vaginal anti-itch cream handy. It prevents undesirable itching to occur at a wrong time, like when you are waiting at the bus stop with a crowd or sharing an elevator with your male colleagues. Vagisil, for example, is safe to use at the vaginal area and contains an anesthetic to suppress the itch, to save you from the desperate desire to scratch. Other available vaginal anti-itch creams include Equate, Vagi-gard, and Summers Eve.
Most vaginal anti-itch creams also contain anti-pruritics and analgesics. You may want to go for a cream that also contains vitamins A, D and E; they are able to soothe the irritated vaginal skin.
Do not that these anti-itch creams only stop minor itching. They don’t have antibacterial properties. They only provide short-term symptoms relief. Bacterial vaginosis will continue to attack you with subsequent episodes of itching and burning because the root problem is not treated. You still need to seek appropriate medical treatment or use natural remedies to bacterial vaginosis treatments” href=”http://www.bvremedytoday.com/bacterial-vaginosis-treatments/”>treat bacterial vaginosis at its root causes.
Lifestyle tips
* Do not scratch, otherwise you will further irritate the affected area.
* Refrain from sexual intercourse until the symptoms improve.
* Keep the vaginal area cool by wearing only cotton underwear, which absorbs moisture and sweat well.
* Place something cold over the vaginal area to soothe inflammation and reduce irritation. Place a piece of damp washcloth in the freezer for several minutes, then place the cold washcloth on the vaginal area to act as a cold compress.
* Do not use scented or colored toilet paper. The chemicals may further irritate the skin.
There are also ways to stop vaginal itching with home remedies, by making use of commonly found ingredients such as garlic, tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar.
