Sandrawhiskey (Atlanta, GA) on 06/03/2026

Clobetasol: this is the primary steroid ointment that the doctor gives to "solve" your problem. Hasn't solved anything however, many articles point to the fact that among women who use it routinely, there are no cancers- a huge positive.

Castor Oil- Neither mixed with coconut oil nor with lavender or lemongrass oil added has castor oil done any good to relieve pain or reduce whitening.

Olive oil: soothes skin but be sure you get extra virgin first cold-pressed.

Coconut oil with baking soda: making a paste with a half a teaspoon of oil anda few grains of baking soda and applying to the skin did nothing.

Plain coconut oil or with 1 drop of lavender oil did soothe the skin a little bit

Apple cider vinegar whether applied diluted or full strength to the skin had no effect. Taking it internally also had no effect.

Andrographis: For 3 months I took 1 capsule (500 mg I think) of Andrographis, a bitter plant with lots of science behind it, to reduce inflammation. I think it helped a bit. Get it at health food stores. Not too expensive.

Curcumin: For about 6 weeks I took 3 tablets of Terry Naturally curcumin pain relief formula but it did not help and was expensive.

Ibuprofen: Not natural but 2 tablets of generic ibuprofen (400 mg) do help with the pain but who wants to stay on that all the time.....

Aquaphor: no help

Perrins cream: No help

ScleroDiscreet: this is a thymus peptide preparation which is expensive ($60) and did not help.

Tri-Derma: an inexpensive colloidal cream that served as an emollient but nothing more.

Vitamin A & D ointment: This helped soothe the skin and is cheap. Can be bought at any drug store and most grocery stores.

Diet: stayed off of wheat, sugar, and dairy and nothing changed. This is very hard to do anyway. One potential troublemaker is said to be nightshade vegetables (tomato, eggplant etc...) or high oxalate foods like spinach but I have not noticed any effects of eating those foods. Eliminated alcohol but what little I drink made no difference.

Stress: an absolute factor in bringing on more pain. STAY CALM no matter what.

Have no bathtub, only shower, so have no experience with sitz baths or soaking. May have to get a tub.

EmuAid: This is a cross between a cream and an ointment said to be for minor skin irritations. It has arnica, silver, and emu oil (yes, I guess real emus, heck I don't know) and it has been the BEST thing I have found.... It was roughly $30 for a tiny jar but it doesn't take much.

DMSO: I have been reading about the "wonders" of this solvent type liquid but so far have not been brave enough to try it.

Anybody else out there with a new experience to share? Let's not give up ladies!