A "delicate" health question

[tiredmommy]

This topic discusses "private parts" in a medical sense, please don't read if you will be offended by this.








Has anyone heard of this? Duckie has a history of unusual allergic reactions such as swelling, hives and canker sores. Another reaction that occurs infrequently is that her labia become bright red and burn. I know it's something allergic because it clears up quickly with an antihistamine (Benadryl or Zyrtec). The thing that bothers me is that I don't see this listed anywhere so I don't know what to call it. It usually happens when she gets a canker sore or has hives. I have mentioned it to the allergist and he agrees it is an allergic reaction through he advises me to watch for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) symptoms just in case.

Anyone have a clue what this is?

 

[Hound dog]

Well...........if I hadn't just been in school for 13 hrs I'd be able to give your the name.......Aubrey had had the same issues, only she gets what Nichole thought of as diaper rash (severe) and the skin would break open and bleed.

pediatrician doctor says it is a form of a certain skin condition, and darn it my brain is dead (and Nichole is in bed) and I can't get the name to pop into my brain. It's fairly common.... And we'd finally connected the two because Aubrey would break out in a rash on her leg around her knees then wham.......she'd have a break out in her private area as well. doctor gave told us to use a certain lotion on the rash on the leg.........and when that rash cleared up, so did the other one. The lotion can be bought over the counter.

I'll get the name for both for you tomorrow. I hate it when my brain does this....but I'm exhausted and it's just not coming to me tonight.

But at least you know there is someone else, and it can be treated.

Hugs

 

[DammitJanet]

It isnt a yeast infection is it? I would get awful yeast infections even as a small child and they would itch and I would swell down there. I have no idea if I got red but I would imagine so. The only other thing I can think of is that if it is an allergy, maybe she is coming in contact to some product at certain times. A different detergent, a different brand of underwear, or maybe even soap. Or even maybe something she drinks or eats that may be excreted in her urine.

 

[Hound dog]

Excema!!

Leave it to me to think of it out of the blue. Now if the lotion Nichole uses for it would just pop into my head........... Oh, well. I do know it's made by Kao brands because husband had brought some home. It's about 6 bucks a bottle, so that turned out well.

Do not put the lotion on the gential area though. We just treated the rash elsewhere and the other disappeared as well. pediatrician doctor says don't knock it if it works. lol But her pull ups rubbing her skin there caused the rash to develop there as well evidently.

 

[goldenguru]

My daughter once had a similar issue. Her doctor actually said it was some type of fungus "tinea cruris"(very similar to 'jock itch' in males) and prescribed an anti fungal cream.

From Mayo clinic:

Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal infection that affects the skin of your inner thighs, buttocks and genitals. Jock itch causes an itchy, red, often ring-shaped rash in these warm, moist areas of your body.

Jock itch gets its name because it is common in people who sweat a lot, as do athletes. It also often occurs in people who are overweight, but anyone — even women — can get this infection.

Although often uncomfortable and bothersome, jock itch usually isn't serious, except possibly for people with weak immune systems. Keeping your groin area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications are usually sufficient to treat jock itch.

 

[Fran]

My thoughts would be Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Yeast and allergy to her undies.

I seemed highly sensitive to any irritation as a kid and even now. What would cause a slight itch and welt for regular people made me scratch until I bled and have the whole area swell.

What an uncomfortable area to have irritated. Poor kiddo.

 

[hearts and roses]

Exzema makes sense because it is usually the result of an allergic reaction and can be on just about every area of the body. There are many different creams and lotions that help clear it up, however, putting anything on the genital area when inflamed can cause a horrible burning sensation and make the area more sensitive.

I would see an allergist and see if by process of elimination you can have her diet looked at. It's very likely food related. Best of luck, poor thing.

 

[DaisyFace]

TM--

I'm not a doctor (I don't even play one on TV!)....BUT, I do know that your body's mucus membranes (such as the areas inside the nose, eyes, labia, etc) are often the first to react to allergens. So if your daughter has sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes....then yes, it follows logically that signs of the irritation would be apparant on ALL of the sensitive membranes.

As long as the treatment of the allegy is clearing up the redness--then it is nothing to worry about. If, however, you suspect that another condition entirely might be starting at the labia and affecting other areas (such as allergic reaction to laundry detergent, yeast infection, fungal infection)....then you need to have her seen by a doctor who can run some tests and determine the cause of the problem.

Just my two cents....

DaisyF

 

[tiredmommy]

Thanks everyone. I know it's not eczema (I had it as a kid) and it doesn't spread onto her legs or toward her buttocks. The skin doesn't become raised... it just becomes red. A dark, angry red. It only happens when her allergies are really kicked up (like when grass pollens are getting bad). It's usually the last symptom before she gets hives.

 

[Star*]

well here's a confession you never really want to admit but since I am the original kid in a bubble - and have allergies to 360 things - and since I love Duckey and would never want to see anyone squirm -

My underwear and bras HAVE to be washed in Dreft or some other non-perfume detergent. If they are not, if you choose to add laundry softener - like my xmil did after I first got married? My behind lit up like a skyline. AND of course being NEWLY married - to a control freak - YOU explain to your husband why you are itching yourself to distraction.

Stop washing her clothes in Tide - Wash them in Dreft. Set your washer to extra rinse when you do her delicates. Slips - underpants, tights - t shirts.

My second thought since she gets the itchies after a cold sore was some form of herpes.....and don't freak out - but a cold sore is the herpes virus and may be affecting her genitalia. Not impossible. Since the two seem to coincide.

I'm more inclined to believe that she just needs to sleep at night without underpants; in the nude - or that it's yeast - but the coldsore thing in conjunction makes me suspicious if it isn't viral.

Either way - washing underpants in Dreft is a good thing.....

 

[Lothlorien]

Can you give her Chlortrimeton? It's about as fast acting as Benedryl without the residual side effects that Benydryl has. Chlortimeton is what I take when I get hives.

When it gets like that, perhaps using one of the creams that comes in the Monistat packages might help? You know the little package they put in there for the outer area?

 

[tiredmommy]

Not a cold sore, Star, canker sore. Poor kid has one in her mouth where her upper gums meet her upper lip. No wonder she's been miserable since birth!

I don't use Dreft, but I do use dye-free & perfume-free only. I have since her birth. I need to use a high efficiency detergent with my washer.

 

[tiredmommy]

Loth- she is already on half the maximum dose of Zyrtec daily. Year round. I usually just up the Zyrtec to three quarters of the maximum dose unless she has a massive outbreak of hives. Then I call the doctor and let him give me dosing instructions for either more Zyrtec or adding on Benadryl.

 

[Star*]

TM -

I took allergy shots every day for 10 years. My bedroom consisted of a mattress, box spring and pillow case that were plastic. Sheets over that.

My floors were wooden, no curtains, just blinds.

My hair shampoo and bath soap were kapok and oris root free.

I spent most of my life in air conditioning.

The shots helped a lot. I tested postitive at age 5 for 364 high level allergens. I'm not sure HOW I ever ate, or took medicines, but I'm allergic to so many my medical ID bracelet says - SEE CARD IN WALLET.

I'm allergic to bee stings -
I'm MORE allergic to epineprine (one in a million)

I'm a lot better now than I was as a kid - so I feel for Duckey -

Sorry about the cold sore/canker sore mixup. Have you seen the new strips that you can put on canker sores? They're like those nasty breath strips (sorry if you liked them I did not). Also you can /have to change out her tooth brushes constantly - tell her to scrub with a little sea salt - it makes them bleed, but heals them faster.

SO if the canker sores are causing the reactions - we need to curtail the canker sores??? WHat does your doctor say?

 

[hearts and roses]

Well, whatever it is, it's most likely an immuno issue, which almost always coincides with allergies. I would definitely run it by a specialist.

easy child, difficult child and I all get skin reactions when we're stressed because our immuno systems are either not strong enough or just taking on too much. easy child gets severe psorriasis, difficult child gets severe exzema and I break out and my skin gets horrible rashes under the skin. Our allergist said it's our immune system. Mine haven't been bad much as I take precautions but easy child and difficult child's have been terrible.

I sure hope you're able to figure this one out and I'm interested to hear what you find out. Hugs to Duckey.

 

[tiredmommy]

Thanks again!

Star, Duckie has become very proficient at rinsing her mouth with salt water (I'm all about the self-care, lol!).

Jo- Her allergist is also a pediatric immunologist. He has ran blood work before to screen for likely immune system problems and all have come back okay. He thinks her immune system, while in normal limits, is kind of fluky and we'll most likely never get a definitive diagnosis because the issues come and go.

She will be going back for more skin testing in August (Yay! NOT!). She was previously receiving shots 3x a week back in pre-school with another doctor. Our current doctor stopped those because he felt she had gotten all she could out of the shot regimen at the time though he advised she may go back to them at a later date.

 

[hearts and roses]

She will be going back for more skin testing in August (Yay! NOT!). She was previously receiving shots 3x a week back in pre-school with another doctor. Our current doctor stopped those because he felt she had gotten all she could out of the shot regimen at the time though he advised she may go back to them at a later date.

Ugh, shots stink! I had them from when I was 3 until about 16, when I refused. They definitely helped considering my mom always had about 5 cats and 2 or 3 dogs in our house at all times. Then, I started them on my own when I was pregnant with easy child 22 years ago...but because my immune system was so hormonallly out of whack, each week I would go into a horrible reactive asthma attack - sneezes coming on like contractions and so hard and fierce I couldn't even drive home. Needless to say, I stopped that altogether. I hope things get better for Duckey. Itching is so horrible, no matter where, but especially 'there'.

 

[Hound dog]

TM

Try Star's recommendation of no panties to bed. mother in law swears by it, and in 94 yrs has never worn panties to bed. I taught my girls along the same lines as it is a huge preventative of yeast infections. (so is a bath once a week to break up the shower routine)

Even if it's not yeast.....if it's being triggered by an allergic reaction......rubbing panties may cause her to react there as well. Worth a shot to give her some relief.

I know when Nichole gets an immune response going due to a reaction of anything......She will also break out in other areas at random. Maybe not as severe as in the initial area, but still an aggravated break out.

Starbie I empathize. I'm one of those werido's allergic to benedryl, severely.

 

[KTMom91]

What about a latex allergy from the elastic in the panties?

Have you tried acidophilus (sp?) for the canker sore?

 

[tiredmommy]

I doubt it's because of the elastic... she had the same panties for months and she's had the problem intermittently since being a baby (we first thought it was a diaper rash).

I'll have to have her try some of my acidophilus yogurt. It won't hurt.