Vaginal itching diabetes problem to solve?

QUESTION: My auntie is type 2 diabetic for 10 years. She is trying to control her diabetes, until now she is doing fine; her A1C is around 6 and fasting blood sugar around 160 mg/dl.

But she has one fastidious problem so far; vaginal itching. She has done all kind of exams and treated for yeast infection but she still has this problem.

She has tried some vaginal creams and lotions for itching but nothing. Any other idea on how to help my auntie with her diabetes vaginal itching problem?


ANSWER: Hi there,

I know that this is quite an unpleasant problem. In the following, I will try to explain certain things in order for your aunt to do in purpose to get rid of it.

1. First of all, she has to gather all her willing and forces to maintain her blood glucose level within the normal ranges. As I can see from her glucose results, her fasting blood sugar of 160mg/dl is high as compared to the normal blood sugar ranging between 64.8-104.4 mg/dl.

If it is necessary, visit the doctor for therapy adjustments, or tell her to try with diet and exercises.

2. Second very important thing is to visit a doctor, because such thing requires determination of the bacterial type, which causes the vaginal itching.

Moreover, once the right diagnosis is made, it will help in taking the right treatment, because the doctor will understand which antibiotic to use in purpose to remove the bacteria.

Then, she has to start a treatment with antibiotic and to follow the therapy directions, provided by her doctor.

As vaginal itching is a symptom of sexually transmitted disease (STD), therefore, her doctor will determine whether it it STD or diabetes causing her itching problems.

3. The other thing, which she has to do about it, is to keep the area dry and clean and not to scratch it. This will keep the infection steady and it will prevent further complications.

In addition, it is important for her to start using panties made from cotton, because the silk and other materials will irritate the area.

Regarding the sexual intercourse, you have to warn her to avoid it for at least 2-3 months. This will prevent eventual infection with other bacteria, which can lead to vaginal itching again.

At the end, if your auntie will do everything mentioned above, her problems with vaginal itching will disappear soon.

Dr.Alba