hi everyone, hoping to seek some advice please. I’ve been having perianal/ vulval issues for about six months. started with dry and splitting anal skin (sorry if TMI), went on to anal itching, and has over the last three months developed to vulval itching. everything is dry and I get an electric type itch which is driving me insane and effecting quality of daily life.
GP prescribed a moderate steroid and emollient for waging. seemed to help but when I tried to taper off the itching came back with a vengeance. Although the redness and raised patches of my skin have settled a lot.
oddly, sometimes I can feel complete relief. but at least once or twice a day it flares up and is horrendous. I’ve also experienced some minor anal bleeding so wondering if fissures or internal piles are involved.
for context I also have really dry flaky patches in my hairline and inside my ears which appeared about 12/18 months ago. never had any skin issues prior to that.
please can someone share thoughts on what this could be? GPs seem frustrated with me like I’m exaggerating symptoms. husband thinks I’m nuts. kids think I’m weird 😢
I’m waiting for a vulval dermatologist referral. in the meantime it would be really helpful to know if I should continue to use the steroid daily, keep lathering up with Vaseline…there is so much conflicting advice online!
any help hugely appreciated