The ITCH!

[Cattelya]

I've been lurking around reading threads for some time. The one thing that makes me uncomfortable is that, though I have been diagnosed with HS by a seasoned gynecologist, my HS sounds somewhat dissimilar from many of yours. First things first though, guys may want to back away from this thread as I'm going to talk about the vulva.

For the women who are reading (I hope some do), that's entirely where I get my bumps. They aren't warts, because that's physically impossible for me to have that STD, or any STD. I got my first in summer, and it was like three... two on one side and one on another. Right before and the first few days of my period, they can hurt a little bit. Mostly though... THEY ITCH. I'm not talking a somewhat uncomfortable itching--I'm talking wanting to scream itch.

Lately I've received some more, a few of which are trying to creep out and may even be considered now as the groin, not the vulva area. I had about four of them lanced using a needle, without anything to help the pain during the procedure, or to numb me. I didn't care. It itched that bad. I am willing to do anything, ANYTHING to stop the itch. I would sign up for a vulvectomy tomorrow to get rid of the itch. I already have chronic pain (and have had it for years), so pain I can sort of handle to some extent, but this itching is making me lose my mind.

From my forum browsing, I haven't seen a lot of posts where women have mentioned having HS "inside." Maybe because it's embarrassing to talk about, but seeing as that is the only place I have it--and there aren't maybe places to talk about HS--I can't be shy.

I see a multitude of alternative cures: aloe vera, Vick's, tea tree oil, etc. etc. Which of these would you consider "safe" to use "in there."

Sorry for being so err... blunt. Thank you!

[bunnie]

Hello Cattelya, welcome to skincell. I don't have your condition, but I know HS is a horrible condition to have to cope with.
If you have been reading the posts on HS, you will have read that HS is an autoimmune disease. Please read as much as you can on what an autoimmune disease is. If you understand what is going on you will cope much better. I have made lots of posts on that subject on skincell.I'm sorry to say there are no cures for these autoimmune diseases, we can only relieve the symptoms.
Were you offerred any treatment? or topicals such as Clindamycin? If the itch is as you say it is, then of course the derm will be able to prescribe something for you. If a gynaecologist determined that you do have HS, then they should have had the temerity to send you to a derm immmediately! A gynaecologist has not got the expertise necessary to treat HS entirely, it lies in the expertise of a dermatologist.
Here is a link which has a some of the treatments listed, and I would suggest that maybe you could try and see a derm as soon as possible and get some proper treatment, because if you keep itching to that extent you could easily get an infection or a fungal infection, and indeed, because you are itching you could already have one. HS is not caused by any bacterial infection however -- any infection is secondary. Most cultures done on HS lesions come back negative for bacteria, so antibiotics should be used only when a bacterial infection has been confirmed by a physician.
 http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/hidradenitis_suppu.html
 

Initial treatments are usually oral antibiotics (minocycline, tetracycline, erythromycin, Augmentin, others) and topical antibiotics (clindamycin or erythromycin). Intralesional injections into the affected places reduce swelling and tenderness within days. Anti-inflammatory pills (Celebrex, Advil, Naprosyn, Alleve, and others) are helpful in addition to the antibiotics, especially if it is a severe case. Some women respond to high estrogen birth control pills (Demulen 1/50 Ortho Novum 1/50) and spironolactone pills.

Tight fitting clothing and shaving the areas are to be strictly avoided. Dirt does not cause hidradenitis. The involved areas should be cleaned daily using an antibacterial soap, as this will reduce any odor associated with this condition. Retin-A cream, a prescription, helps some people. Accutane, a drug for severe acne, offers modest help for moderately bad cases. There is medical control, but not cure for hidradenitis.

Someone with the condition will post I'm sure, but meanwhile I would try and see a derm ASAP.
Bunnie

[Ragdollcats4ever]

Hi yes it is possiable to get HS "inside" as you said i had one last year. What I did to help was to put a little Vicks on the spot and then cover it with a piece of gause. this seemed to help me.

[gossamerstars]

One of mine itches, but hydro cortisone ointment usually helps that. I don't know if it's safe to use "in there" however...let me look.

Well, all it says is to not put it in your rectum. I'm assuming that if it can't go up there, it can't go "in there" either 

If you have any outside of that area that itch, I think you can try the hydro cortisone.

[twisted]

I know what you mean about the itch. I have noticed that when some of mine that wont won't heal properly start to flare up the sinus cavities or whatever they are. please excuse my ignorance I'm still learning tho I should be an expert since I've been dealing with it so long} itch so freakin bad. God I just wanna rip my skin off!!! Its all do horrifying!

[gfpaperdoll]

Here is a link to a description of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH).

http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/dermatitis_herpeti.html

it is a very itchy skin condition.  You might be unfortunate enough to have 2 skin conditions.
The only treatment for DH is a diet change to omit wheat, rye, barley, & oats.

A dermy can make a diagnosis by biopsy of a spot of clear skin next to a break out, not in the break out itself.

You might find some temporary itchy relief recommendations reading up on DH.
I hope it subsides soon.