Something else? Ask Aunt Vadge – bottom left of your screen!
Hi Aunt Vadge,
I was recently at a hotel and washed up, but I was rushing and scrubbing down there quite hard, and afterwards it felt dry. The next day it was sore and itchy; the itching stopped, but now every time I wash or touch it, it hurts. Did I scratch myself, or could it be a yeast infection from the hotel soap? What can I do to stop the pain?
Write back soon,
Soapy
Dear Soapy,
That sounds uncomfortable, and the most likely culprit is the hotel soap. Those little freebies are usually the cheapest going, which means harsh ingredients that your delicate vulvar skin can easily react to. That reaction is called contact dermatitis, and dryness, soreness and itching are classic signs. Scrubbing hard on top of that would have stripped and irritated the skin further.
It’s more likely this than a yeast infection – yeast tends to bring a thick discharge and a persistent itch, rather than the raw, sore feeling you’re describing after a scrub with harsh soap.
How to soothe it
Be gentle and leave it alone as much as you can. Wash with just warm water – no soap – and pat dry with a soft towel. You can soothe the outside with a little plain oil to stop dry, itchy labia from sticking and rubbing.
If peeing stings, pour a cup of warm water over your labia as you go, to dilute the acidic urine, then pat dry.
When to see a doctor
These reactions usually clear up over a few days with no lasting harm. If the pain carries on, gets worse, or you notice an unusual discharge, see a doctor – there may be something more going on that needs treating properly.
How this affects your vagina
The irritation is on the vulva, the outer skin, which is thin and reactive by design. Once the offending soap is gone and you stop scrubbing, it settles and repairs itself.
Soap and product reactions are a classic cause of a sore, stinging vulva in our experience – so in future, keep soap out from between your labia and switch to a gentle wash that is unscented and soap-free. You’ll be fine.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
