Itching and frequent UTI's.Need help.
 

I've had frequent UTI's for a few years now and take antibiotics for them. I drink plenty of water and take cranberry pills because I don't like the juice. The Dr never says she finds anything else. But,I've had terrible itching for a while too even though she says she sees no yeast. I itch so bad all around the outside that I've made myself bleed from scratching,I have long fingernails. I've changed soaps so that's not it.

In 2010 I developed a cyst on my right kidney,worst pain I've ever had,worse than my back pain even when I can't stand up straight. Ran fever,threw up,ended up in ER. I can't remember what they gave me but I was told to wait it out and see if it shrinks. It did but I still have some pain there but I also have Fibromyalgia.

Any ideas and solutions for the itching.

utis
 

Anyone????

surely someone has some answers for me.

I would suggest to any woman with irritation in that private area to start drinking Kefir daily. It will slowly recolonize you to repair
for chronic antibiotic damage. Trust me.... I've been using it regularly since LAST Sept....it is WONDERFUL...and tastes good and is not expensive too.

http://www.lifeway.net/Products.aspx
This product is now available in common outlets...and also in health food stores (probably more expensive there).
My Kroger and Costco both carry it, and I am very happy! ;)

Thank you. so you think the itching might be from too many antibiotics over the years. Do you think I might have some candida.

Yes, most definitely!

Here are some more eating/diet suggestions that are helpful for fighting recurring UTIs.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/23...o-prevent-uti/
http://www.womentowomen.com/urinaryi...nfections.aspx

I had chronic bladder issues for about 25 years until I happened to get a water filter for my faucet. Apparently I was sensitive to the chlorine in tap water as i've been fine for 3 years since then. I'm not sure if that could contribute to UTIs but any irritation might make you a little more prone.
Ditto on the probiotics.

judi

Hello Red Flowers
 

In addition to trying what MrsD stated, I would seek out a dermatologist, not an OBYGN at this point. that kind of itching is not normal, and could be related to almost anything, clothing, medications, etc. Also Johnsons baby soap, which is maybe the mildest of all soaps, might be an option. If you are not presenting with any kind of yeast, or fungal infection, I would dig a little deeper into the cause, and seek another physician ASAP. I do wish you all the best, and a good outcome. There are over the counter meds. for just itching. It may be worth it to try one until you get to see the doctor. ginnie

yes red Flowers i get uti all the time to
 

yes red Flowers i get uti all the time to its not fun and ia also get cyst to and them are painful i have a diease called endometriosis if you have not heard of it its very painful i have had 3 surgerys so far not one has helped my pain.

i also have fibro to know whats that like .

DEAR FRIEND

white vinegar if you can tolerate
1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water
into a bottle with a tip that
will come out in a stream
and make one in a spray bottle
they have all sizes after your
shower avoid any baths
and if that's something you have
been doing that could be the culprit
apply by squatting using the one that
has a stream when squeezing the
bottle
when on the toilet do the
wipe to dry
use cotton underwear
ONLY
if you are used to wearing
tight pants that could be
another culprit
your hormones are causing
the imbalance
and then the antibiotics
that can make the situation worse
and whenever you can zero clothing
allow air to be your friend
use the solution as often as needed
it brings the longest temporary relief
the smell does not stay and linger
and no you don't smell like dressing
pay attention and keep a diary when
the itching is worse
your hormones are changing
everyday preparing for a baby
sometimes
a week
may be two weeks before your
menses the problem is worse and
worse
all hormones
i think i covered all of what i learned
when i was young first receiving my
period it was a solution my grandmother
to mine and then myself 3 generation
one other please do not douche there are
douches with vinegar
i only had that situation in my
early menstruation never been a problem
in adult life
hormones, hormones, hormones
what we women endure is amazing
give it a try
you can red wine vinegar
i believed it worked better

good luck

would love to know if it helps you

someone that cares

What is the best for you is to wash the area using any anti-bacterial soap [small amount] leaving the soap on from one washing to the next till it stops and then use spareingly but at least every 2 or 3 days. Do not use the soap internally only on the portion outside the body. But may be used around **** as well.

I really disagree with this suggestion.
I have to caution against leaving soap in that area....ever.

Soap is highly alkaline and our skin requires a modest acid environment to kill bacteria. Leaving soap anywhere on the body invites irritation and worse.

Best to use a gently moist compress of first aid hydrogen peroxide to cleanse that area.

Eating probiotics or Kefir will provide beneficial organisms to keep that area free of pathogens. This is a much more useful approach than leaving soap. The antibacterial soaps will also kill off beneficial bacteria and make matters actually worse over time.

In the area and on the area are 2 different things. A drop of soap is what I am recommending not left on [not in] for days but can be for a for a day or so. Preferably hours.It is not a health issue that requires a change in diet. It also is not a matter of cleanliness.

Antibacterial products may not be safe:
 

Here is a recent article:

http://news.yahoo.com/decades-old-an...163623053.html
Triclosan has also been implicated as being neurotoxic:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ight=triclosan

and also killed gingival cells in the mouth:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9584909

me too may be more serious
 

:) i have intersistal cystitis same symptoms

Hi Gins
 

Try a bit of baking soda in the bath water. If natural remedies do not work, see that doctor again. You could even be allergic to some medication, so keep track of when this itching is at its worst. Itching means something is out of balance. ginnie:grouphug:

I realize this is an old thread, but that these issues are common, especially for those that have neurogenic bladders or are immunosuppresssed.

Diflucan is an option if a fungal infection is stubborn.

Rinsing quickly with Hibiclens after activities like swimming in a pool or other bacterial exposures helps keep down UTIs.

Ask for Macrobid prophylactically if you frequently get UTIs following certain activities or other predictable factors.

Negative urine tests and low urine cultures don't mean anything. According to research, only 30% of women have positive urine tests with UTIs. If it improves with treatment, it's probably a UTI. (It's not necessarily interstial cystitis.)

Be careful with cranberry if you tend to have allergies. I ended up developing an allergic skin reaction after a year of drinking cramp berry juice daily.

Some different things to consider:
Vitanica Yeast suppositories...they are all natural anti yeast suppositories. I believe they have a tiny amount of boric acid in them. But only use if you feel you have a yeast infection. Don't hesitate to take RX medication if this doesn't work, but this might do the trick.

D mannose....read up on this. I take this if I have even the slightest suspicion I am getting a UTI or if I have relations. I also take it if I have an odd pains "down there" or itching. Many people take this daily. It is a product that many people buy from the health food store. You can read up on it at www.iherb.com. If you purchase, just try to get a name brand and follow the instructions. If you can cut back on the amount of antibiotics you take, it very likely will help you with the itching and overall. I've heard of people taking this daily and their UTIs stop. Something to investigate and consider!

Avoid sugar, flour and soda BIG TIME! Hard to do, but a necessity! Greatly limit alcohol.

Consider taking a good probiotic.

If you are post menopausal, consider speaking with a doctor who uses bioidentical hormones to see if you are a candidate.

Drink lots of good quality water. I'm finding that the better my quality water, the better I feel.

Wishing you well.

Grape seed extract contains anti fungal, anti viral and anti bacterial properties. I'm headed to 2 decades on it and no UTI's in moons.....knocking wood.... I agree with Vowel Lady too on avoiding nasties.... I take a 30billion probiotic daily, digestive enzymes and the love of my life, grape seed ex..... CLEAN WATER all day.

I eat anything and everything with no problems. Lucky I guess.