HYDROCORTISONE CREAM FOR VULVAR ITCHING SKIN

Where on your body have you noticed symptoms?.

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?.

Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?.

Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?.

What side effects can I expect from treatment?.

What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?.

What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?.

Questions to ask your health care provider.įor lichen planus, some basic questions to ask your health care provider include:.

All medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including the doses.

Symptoms you've been having and for how long.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. If the condition affects the vulva or vagina, you may be referred to a specialist in conditions of the female reproductive system (gynecologist).

HYDROCORTISONE CREAM FOR VULVAR ITCHING SKIN

Or you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist). You'll likely start by seeing your primary care provider. Some alternative medicines or supplements have unwanted side effects. Talk with your health care provider before trying an alternative treatment for lichen planus. Look into alternative medicine approaches that help reduce stress, as stress can worsen the symptoms of lichen planus. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily, if you have oral lichen planus.Ī few small clinical trials have suggested the benefit of aloe vera gel for treating lichen planus of the vulva and aloe vera mouthwash for disease of the mouth.Avoiding scratching your skin and injuring your nails.

Do this only if you aren't using a prescription corticosteroid product on your skin. Get a product that has at least 1% hydrocortisone. Using the type of hydrocortisone cream or ointment that you can get at a store without a prescription.Rinse well, pat dry and apply a moisturizer. Sprinkle in an oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno, others). Self-care steps can help reduce itching and pain caused by lichen planus. For example, you may need to switch medicine or your health care provider may suggest additional testing for allergens.Įxplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. If your health care provider thinks that your lichen planus is related to an infection, allergies, a medicine you take or some other trigger, you might need other treatment or tests to address that. If you're pregnant or nursing, your health care provider may suggest that you delay treatment or choose a different treatment. Retinoids can cause birth defects, so this type of medicine isn't for people who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Your health care provider might prescribe a retinoid medicine taken by mouth or applied to the skin. One possible side effect is lasting changes in skin color (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation) even after the skin heals. One method involves exposing the affected skin to ultraviolet B light 2 to 3 times a week for several weeks. This approach is also called phototherapy. Light therapy may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin. The following drugs have been used with some success but further study is needed:Īn antihistamine medicine taken by mouth might ease the itchy skin caused by lichen planus. Immune response medicinesįor more-severe symptoms, you may need prescription medicine that changes your body's immune response. Other oral medicines used for lichen planus are the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl, others). Corticosteroids are safe when used as directed. Side effects vary, depending on the method of use. If a topical corticosteroid doesn't help and your condition is severe or widespread, your health care provider might suggest corticosteroid pills or injections. This may help ease pain, swelling and inflammation. Often, the first choice for treatment of lichen planus of the skin is a prescription corticosteroid cream or ointment. You'll likely need to visit your health care provider for follow-up care at least once a year. Even if treatment works, the symptoms may return. If the disease affects your mucous membranes and nails, it tends to be harder to treat. You may need more than one approach to control your symptoms. Talk with your health care provider to weigh the pros and cons of treatment options. Medicines and other treatments might help relieve itching, ease pain and speed healing. Lichen planus on the skin often clears up on its own in months to years. If you have no pain or discomfort, you may not need any treatment.

Hydrocortisone cream for vulvar itching