Home Remedies to Relieve Vaginal Itching

If you are dealing with vaginal itching, you know how downright irritating it can be. Vaginal itching can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep, and feel comfortable. Thankfully, there are effective treatments for vaginal itching, and several at-home remedies that can be helpful. The remedies depend on the cause, but include baking soda or oatmeal baths, avoiding irritants, keeping the vaginal area clean and dry, and applying over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications.

What Is Causing Vaginal Itching?

There are quite a few conditions that may cause vaginal itching, and the remedies and treatment for vaginal itching depend on what’s causing it. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes.

Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are among the most common causes of vaginal itching. These infections are caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida. Fluctuating hormones, use of antibiotics, and certain medications can make yeast infections more likely to happen. Pregnant people are also more likely to experience vaginal yeast infections, due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.

Vaginal yeast infections cause burning, itchy sensations. You may also experience pain during sex or peeing, as well as changes in your vaginal discharge. Discharge may look white and chunky and may sometimes resemble cottage cheese.

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is another common cause of vaginal itchiness. You may notice that your vagina is less lubricated and it feels itchy. Decreased lubrication can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, especially low estrogen. You may experience this after childbirth or while breastfeeding. Vaginal dryness is most common during the years leading up to menopause, or perimenopause. During perimenopause, shifting hormones and decreased estrogen can cause more frequent vaginal dryness and vaginal itchiness.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection that occurs because of an overgrowth of vaginal bacteria. The main symptoms are itching, burning, grayish vaginal discharge, and a fish-like smell. It may burn when you pee and you may feel itchy outside of your vagina as well.

Skin Irritants

The vagina can become itchy and uncomfortable because of a reaction to irritants. Some of the common irritants that can cause vaginal itchiness include chemicals commonly found in contraceptive creams or gels, douches, laundry detergent or fabric softeners, perfumes, or any products that come in contact with your vagina.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause vaginal itching, burning, and discomfort. STIs are caused by various pathogens, including chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea. Burning, itching, and redness are common symptoms of these infections. Symptoms may also include discomfort during sex, burning when you pee, pelvic pain, and unusual discharge.

Skin Conditions

According to the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) certain skin conditions can affect the vagina and cause symptoms like itchiness. These include contact dermatitis, folliculitis, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, and Bartholin gland cysts.

Home Remedies for Vaginal Itching

If you are dealing with vaginal itching, you are probably looking for immediate relief, and you may be looking for remedies you can try at home. It’s important to contact your healthcare provider before trying an at-home remedy. This is especially true if you are pregnant or have any type of underlying health condition.

Home remedies for vaginal itching depend on the condition causing the itching, though some of these remedies can work for more than one condition. Here’s what to know.

Baking Soda Bath

Research indicates that sodium bicarbonate, known as baking soda, can inhibit the growth of funguses. Many people report that baking soda helps when they have a vaginal yeast infection, which is caused by an overgrowth of fungus. One of the easiest ways to use baking soda for yeast infection relief is to take a baking soda bath. The National Eczema Foundation recommends pouring about a fourth of a cup of baking soda into a bath for best results.

Oatmeal Bath

If your vaginal itching is caused by contact dermatitis or eczema, you might benefit from an oatmeal bath. Research points to the positive effects of colloidal oatmeal for skin conditions like dermatitis. Colloidal oatmeal can be purchased at drugstore or can be made at home by grinding oatmeal up in a blender. You can then add the oatmeal to your bath.

Yogurt

Many people swear by placing yogurt in the vagina to help with vaginal yeast infections. There is some research out there to back up the effectiveness of this technique. For example, a study from 2015 found that a vaginal cream made of yogurt and honey was just as effective as clotrimazole, a medicated vaginal cream. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider before placing yogurt in your vagina, and be extra cautious if you are pregnant.

Probiotics

Probiotics are “good bacteria” and are thought to help balance out conditions that are characterized by an overgrowth of bacteria, such as bacterial vaginosis, a common cause of vaginal itching. In fact, there is some research pointing to probiotic use as a way to manage a bacterial vaginosis infection. Probiotic use may also be helpful in general for overall vaginal health.

Boric Acid

Using boric acid powder (usually in the form of a capsule or suppository) to treat vaginal yeast infections has shown some promise. A 2013 study found that powdered boric acid was as effective as fluconazole in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections. However, it's a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider before placing boric acid in your vaginal area.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Antifungal Creams

If you are dealing with a yeast infection, using OTC antifungal creams can be helpful. Most can be purchased at a drug store and applied at home. Some of the OTC medications used for yeast infections are clotrimazole, miconazole, and tioconazole.

Vaginal Lubricants

If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, a lubricant can help relieve the dryness and itchiness. Vaginal lubricants can also make sex more comfortable and prevent irritation. You can ask your healthcare provider for a recommendation of a vaginal lubricant brand.

Hygiene

Practicing good hygiene when you are experiencing vaginal itching can help relieve your symptoms and is a simple, harmless way to manage the itchiness. This may include washing your vagina area with a mild soap or using no soap at all (just water). You should keep your vaginal area dry and you should wear 100% cotton underwear. You might consider using a spray bottle to wash after peeing, if toilet paper is irritating. Spending time naturally airing out your vaginal area can be helpful too.

Remedies Not Safe for Vaginal Itching

You should consult with your healthcare provider before trying an at-home remedy for vaginal itching. Still, most home remedies for vaginal itching are safe and not harmful. That being said, there are some remedies that you should steer clear of.

The following remedies may not be helpful for vaginal itching, and may also make the situation worse:

• Vaginal douches
• Scented powders
• Hygiene sprays
• Perfumes
• Vaginal deodorizers
  

How to Prevent Vaginal Itching

Not every instance of vaginal itching can be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to create an environment where vaginal infections and irritations are less likely to crop up.

The following tips may be helpful:

• Always wear 100% cotton underwear
• Wear loose fitting pants
• Allow your vaginal area to air out when possible
• Avoid wearing pantyhose
• Always wipe from front to back when using the bathroom
• Practice safe sex, including condom use to prevent STIs
• Use plain water or mild soap only when washing your vaginal area
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your vaginal itching is mild and seems to be getting better, at-home remedies might be enough treatment for you. But if your itching is moderate to severe, and if it’s lasting more than a few days, you should see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Additionally, the following symptoms may mean that you seek prompt medical attention for your vaginal itching symptoms:

• You have a fever
• You have intense pelvic or stomach pain
• You know you’ve been exposed to an STD
• You have redness or swelling in your genital area
• Your discharge has a sudden change in color or smell
• You have blisters in your vaginal area
• It burns when you pee
  

A Quick Review

Vaginal itching can be more than annoying—it can be disruptive, affect your sleep, and impact your quality of life. The good news is there are many remedies out there for this issue, some of which you can try at home. Many of these will relieve or even eliminate your symptoms. At the same time, if your symptoms don’t respond to these remedies or seem to be getting worse, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.