You’re at the height of your dream vacation! You’ve spent the day strutting around in your bikini (those weeks at the gym sure paid off!), you’ve applied (and reapplied) sunblock conscientiously, you’ve had a few dips in the ocean, and you’re all set to party the night away on the shore. But there’s a niggling thing that’s been bothering you all day, like an itch you can’t scratch—because that’s precisely what it is. You’ve been experiencing a persistent itching sensation in your nether regions—and since you’ve been out all day, and clad in skimpy little bikini, there’s no way you can get to it, or make it go away. You’ve been squirming in your skivvies and sudsing up with feminine wash every chance you get, but nothing seems to bring you relief—talk about a beach bummer!

Feminine itch is a nasty little problem that can strike anytime—more so at the beach, where the sun, sand, humidity, and moisture contrive to create conditions that encourage yeast infections and irritation. At the best of times, feminine itch is a hassle, but on the beach, it can quickly become a huge barrier to enjoying your vacation to the fullest. Being aware of the factors that contribute to feminine itch—and steering clear of those conditions—is the best way to enjoy a fun, itch-free escape.

THE WET BIKINI ITCH

It’s a common mistake: you’ve had a long swim, you’re absolutely steeped in saltwater, and you’ve just plopped down onto your beach chair for a little R’n’R—but you don’t towel off! It may not seem like a big deal at first, but lounging around in a soaked swimsuit may lead to itching, particularly in your nether regions (where wet fabric is inclined to cling). Even worse, sitting around in damp shorts or with a wet towel wrapped around your waist causes moisture to build in your private region, and soon, you may experience the irritating sensation of a damp bikini bottom aggravating the itch in your privates.

To prevent feminine itch brought about by moist bottoms, wipe off your body immediately after emerging from the water, and press your towel against your swimsuit so it absorbs the excess liquid. If you aren’t planning to hit the waves again any time soon, you may want to change into some fresh underwear or at least a dry bikini bottom to keep your girly parts itch-free. Avoid sitting on wet towels and hanging out in seawater-soaked shorts—if modesty is a concern, try a cover-up that doesn’t bunch around your groin and lets the breezes blow down there.

PANTYSHIELD PERIL

Even if you’re not getting soaked in the surf, you can still become prone to feminine itch because of the general conditions on the shore. If you’re a regular pantyshield user, you may become a little less vigilant about changing every so often—not least because of the dearth of clean bathrooms along the beach. This may become particularly pronounced on day trips or island hopping jaunts where pitstops are few and far between—add this to the heat and humidity and you have a recipe for itching, chafing, and general discomfort.

To avoid this problem, skip the shield altogether when you’re at the beach—better to go without than to spend hours on end without changing. If you must wear a pantyshield or a pad, choose a variant that lets your skin breathe, and bring an extra stash—then scope out the best bathrooms and use them! Do your best to wipe up, even in the cramped quarters that pass for cubes along the beach.

SHARED SUPPLIES

We’ve all experienced the “uh-oh” moment when we arrive at our resort and realize we’ve left something behind. Often, these forgotten items are toiletries and similar supplies—which is fine, since most hotels come with them, or if they don’t, we can bum them off our companions. The problem is, very few bathrooms come with feminine wash, which is often a very personal choice. Sometimes using another brand of wash—or making do with base soaps—can cause irritation and itching, which can be aggravated as the sufferer tries to fix things by “cleaning up” even more.

How do you deal when this happens to you? Don’t make things worse by overwashing—we’re talking about a very sensitive area that can easily become irritated with fancy soaps and harsh chemicals. Some doctors suggest that water is the best wash, so this is the ultimate solution in a pinch.

WHY FEMININE ITCH HAPPENS

Yeast infection is a common cause of feminine itch. Predisposing factors, such as the ones discussed above, may cause the yeast Candida albicans to multiply in the area resulting in an infection. When you wear a damp bikini or super-tight jeans or use a pantyshield for too long, this may produce a warm, moist condition in your nether regions in which yeast can thrive, especially among those with weakened immune systems. Improper hygiene practices such as wiping your privates from the rear to the front, rather than the front to the rear, can also lead to bacterial infection.

A GREAT SOLUTION FOR FEMININE ITCH DUE TO YEAST INFECTION

Steering clear of these itch-inducing factors will help you stay fresh, comfortable, and itch-free on your vacation. But if you’ve already started to itch due to yeast infection, don’t fret—a good feminine itch cream can help you out. Try Daktacort  Feminine Care Cream (DFCC) to address the irritation in your private region. Based on a local clinical trial, DFCC has been proven to effectively reduce itching sensations in a majority of users in nine minutes or less—relief has even clocked in as fast as three minutes! With the help of its two active ingredients, hydrocortisone and miconazole nitrate, the cream kills yeast, brings down inflammation, and prevents feminine itch from advancing. Best of all, it’s mild on skin, which is goodnews for your most sensitive of regions.

HOW TO USE DAKTACORT FEMININE CARE CREAM

Even if you’ve never heard of a feminine itch cream before, don’t be intimidated—DFCC is lightweight, portable, and very easy to use, so you can get quick itch relief even when you’re in the middle of a vacation.

Here’s how to use Daktacort Feminine Care Cream:

1.    Gently but thoroughly wash the infected area with water.
2.    Pat down the infected area with a clean cloth or towel. It is important that the area is completely dry before you proceed to the next step.
3.    Apply an adequate amount of cream on the affected area, rubbing it gently until it thinly but completely covers the affected area.
4.    After applying the cream, wash both your hands with soap and water.
5.    Use the cream regularly for two to five weeks—this is the usual treatment period for the eradication of yeast infection.
6.    If after seven days you see no improvement, consult your doctor.

Daktacort Feminine Care Cream is available in major drugstores nationwide. For more information, call 824-8877 or visit www.anewyou.com.ph.

(Photo source: sxc.hu)