Stop intimate itching

Hot weather and swimwear can make you more susceptible to thrush, but you don’t have to suffer in silence

- DR PHILIPPA KAYE

If you usually end up uncomfortable ‘down below’ after a holiday, you’re not the only one. Many people experience the telltale itchiness and discomfort associated with vaginal thrush. Some will get it regularly, perhaps related to their menstrual cycle or after a course of antibiotics. And while this intimate fungal infection can strike at any point in any year, it may be more common in the summer.

Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. The natural balance of fungi and bacteria in the vagina may become unbalanced due to exposure to chlorine in swimming pools and sitting for long periods in wet swimwear, which can cause irritation. Vaginal thrush can lead to an increased amount of discharge, which may be thick and creamy coloured, sometimes being described as like cottage cheese.

If you do have symptoms of thrush then treatments are available from a pharmacy. These include vaginal creams and pessaries, as well as oral tablets and external creams for the vulva.

If an over-the-counter treatment is not effective, then seek advice from a healthcare professional. Sometimes, longer courses of treatment are needed.

Heard of thrush home remedies? Many of them involve foodstuffs, such as yogurt and garlic or vinegar, or other substances, such as tea tree oil. But while tempting to try (especially if you are in pain), they’re usually not effective and can actually cause further irritation and harm, so are best avoided. If you are away on holiday, find a local pharmacy and try to discuss the situation to see if they have treatments available.