andrewducker | (Reply)

From:

Speaking as someone who has had a lot of vulval skin issues over the last few years:

keeping fingernails AS SHORT AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN - cut off ALL or ALMOST ALL the white bit of fingernail - really helps. Avoids getting tiny scratches when you go to the loo and when you have a shower. Also dirt and allergens get trapped under fingernails - short fingernails are cleaner;

whenever possible, wash your hands with unscented soap and rinse your hands thoroughly with water immediately before going to the toilet - gets rid of germs and allergens

Also if you get desperate, putting on disposable Ansell latex-free *powder-free* vinyl gloves on both hands every single time before you go to the toilet (new gloves every toilet visit) means you have even less chance of scratching your vulva and even less chance of introducing germs/allergens. This has really helped me, but hopefully your daughter won't get to that point (I have psoriasis and some other autoimmune skin issues)
The gloves are really thin, smooth and flexible, they are nothing like the gloves people wear for cleaning. Must be powder free as the powder on powdered gloves can be an irritant.

Also many dermatologists have warned me to avoid black knickers as they shed more dye and can be an irritant - ideally wear white or unbleached/undyed 100% cotton knickers. Knickers where all the elastic is covered are safer than knickers where elastic touches skin.