Home Remedies for Vaginal Irritation

Vaginal irritation or inflammation is often caused by exposure to chemicals, in particular, fragrances that are used in products such as soaps, spermicides, lubricants or hygiene sprays. These products have the potential to produce a sensitivity reaction or perhaps even an allergy. This reaction can present itself as redness, burning and itching pain that can be irritating and bothersome. In addition to over the counter relief such as creams and gels, there are some home remedies that are easy to make and use to relieve vaginal irritation.

Effects

• Some things to look at and consider removing from your life to reduce vaginal irritation are: laundry detergents you use to wash underwear or panty hose that contain fragrance or dyes, , detergent residue that is left on towels or washcloths, fabric softener residue, bubble baths, shampoo or condoms --- particularly those that are scented or flavored. Other products that can cause irritation include hair removal products and fragrances. Another culprit can be the use of tampons, which can ultimately be more irritating that sanitary napkins. Compounding the problem is that many of these sanitary products have added fragrance, which can lead to irritation.

Eliminating Irritation

• Some natural things you can do around your home and in your daily life are simple. Use only white, unscented toilet tissue. Look for sanitary protection that is all cotton, and that is unbleached. Use unscented soaps and try to avoid commercial soaps. Wear cotton underwear, preferably white, especially when irritation is flaring up.
  Wash your vaginal area daily, and dry thoroughly. Avoid scented feminine sprays, and do not spray your underwear or panty liners with perfume.
  Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothing as soon as possible.

Natural Options

• In addition to changing your lifestyle and some of the products you use, you might also consider trying some natural options to deal with vaginal irritation. It's easy to make a soothing mixture of natural clay powderto relieve some of the itching and irritation of external vaginal tissue.
  To make the powder, combine one cup of fine white clay with one half cup of cornstarch. Mix in two tablespoons of black walnut powder, two tablespoons of myrrh and one tablespoon of goldenseal powder. Sift all ingredients together, and place in a glass jar. To use, simply shake out a small amount into your palm, and apply externally to the vaginal area with a dusting brush.

Calendula

• Calendula flowers are extremely soothing for skin irritation. You can make your own preparation by combining one part of dried calendula flowers with one part St. John's Wort flower, and one part comfrey leaves. Immerse the mixture in a high quality vegetable oil such as olive or walnut, and place in a double boiler for between 30 and 60 minutes. By keeping the heat low, and cooking longer, the better the mixture becomes. Now, strain the oil, and add one quarter cup of beeswax to the flower mixture, and heat again until it melts together. After the mixture cools, pour into a glass jar, and apply liberally to vaginal tissues as needed. Store this in a cool, dry place for up to one year.

Yogurt and Garlic

• One of the more interesting ways to treat vaginal irritation is to treat it with yogurt or garlic. You can apply yogurt to the vaginal area by coating a tampon in yogurt, and inserting it into your vagina. Another option is to utilize an empty syringe without a needle, fill it with yogurt, place it inside the opening of the vagina, and inject it inside.
  Wear a sanitary pad to catch any excess yogurt that will leak out.
  Another interesting way to get relief from vaginal irritation is to take a garlic clove and wrap it in gauze, tie it with a short amount of unwaxed dental floss, and then insert it into your vagina.

Diet

• By eliminating refined foods, very starchy foods, sugar and caffeine from your diet, along with quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, you will enable your body to more easily rid itself of toxic material. This will in turn alleviate some of your symptoms of vaginal irritation and infection.
  You might also want to include in your diet some cranberry juice, unsweetened yogurt, vinegar and garlic, which are all foods thought to help the body in dealing with yeast infections and vaginal irritation.