Superficial micro-tears and deeper wounds cause an irritated and painful intimate skin. Complaints are often caused by skin that is too dry and therefore rough and cracked, resulting in a burning sensation, itching, pain, redness, swelling and/or pain.
Lack of fat causes discomfort
The surface of the intimate skin is formed by the stratum corneum. It is a contact surface between the body and the outside world and is therefore structured like an impenetrable brick wall: tightly packed horn cells form the bricks and the intercellular substance forms the mortar. This consists of about 80 percent fat. A lack of fat damages the architecture of the stratum corneum.
This leads to a disrupted skin barrier, recognizable by a dry, rough, and cracked skin surface. Although a disrupted skin barrier is only a matter of superficial micro-injuries, the intimate problems it causes can be very unpleasant.
Causes
Incorrect hygiene makes the intimate skin dry and rough. A lack of hormones during menopause also causes complaints.
In addition to small, superficial damages to the skin barrier, injuries, surgical procedures, or other therapies that lead to wounds are common causes. The wound pain can increase enormously when sitting, walking, or when the wounds come into contact with urine or feces. Extremely uncomfortable and painful.
Moreover, wounds in the genital area can easily become inflamed, leading to additional symptoms and reduced wound healing. Inflammation is the signal of a wound infection, caused by bacteria or fungi (especially by facultative pathogens). These have good living conditions in the warm, humid environment of the intimate area and naturally occur there in large numbers. If protruding, firm scars remain, they can even lead to long-term discomfort.
External influences can also cause or worsen complaints, such as:
- Tight underwear or tight clothing, panty liners, sitting for long periods, sports (like cycling or horseback riding), sexual intercourse, intimate shaving or waxing
- Contact with urine or feces, unsuitable personal hygiene products, excessive or incorrect personal hygiene, scented toilet paper
- Pathogens such as fungi and bacteria
Use of Deumavan protective ointment is recommended.
Deumavan protective ointment prevents irritation and damage to (very) sensitive skin. The ointment contains high-quality paraffins that cover the skin with an effective protective layer. Deumavan protective ointment has been specially developed for this purpose.
