I have been plagued with an itchy skin rash around my rectum, also frequent vaginal itchiness, for over 10 years. The itchiness is strange because it does not JUST reside on my rectum, it is spread over about a 2-3 inch radius from my rectum outward, the area between my rectum and vaginal area is irritated at times, as well as my vagina itself (usually on the inside of my labia near my clitoris). I can't really tell what causes flare ups, it seems like they just happen for no reason, but then sometimes they seem like they happen in direct relation to something wrong I ate. I don't have any gastero-intestinal issues. I have seen a wide variety of doctors: general, dermatologists, infection disease specialist, accupuncturist, naturapath; I have tried prescription anti-fungals (diflucan, fluconasol) in the past with temporary results, I am currectly taking kyolic, pau d' arco, caprylic acid, coconut oil and 25 billion live organisms of probiotics daily as well as staying away from yeast and sugar... I still have my problem.

I was born a healthy baby. At 9mos old I contracted Hemolitic Anemia at which time I was put on Prednizone and underwent several blood transfusions over many months. At age 2 1/2, I had a Spleenectomy (they also took my apendix at that time). After I recovered fully, I was prescribed Pennicilin (500mg per day) for the rest of my life. I took it for 13 years at which time I took myself off of it. I had/have always been a generally healthy person. I have not ever noticed any food allergies . On the other hand, I have always had skin rashes of different kinds throughout my life (boils as a child, atopic dermatitis as a child and still at times-it seems to be pretty weather related, dyshidrotic dermatitis on my right hand for the past several years, I can not wear very many kinds of metal jewelry, I am very sensitive to straight blade razors except on my legs). I believe I have poor circulation, I am cold a lot of the time, my feet can get deathly cold for no aparent reason, my dad has varicose veins and poor circulation in his legs. In 2001, I experienced a die-off of my gallblader and had it removed in the Fall of 01' (the doctor said it crumbled when he removed it). Since then my stomach/internal organs have been fine with anything I eat.

In 1998, shortly after the birth of my first son, I noticed my current problem. At first I just thought it was hemoroids so I did not seek treatment. 4 years later I showed it to my mid-wife and right away she said it was "skin yeast" and suggested I see a dermatologist. That doctor gave me a cream to put on in twice a day for two weeks and come back. At that point I was not convinced that a "topical treatment" was the cure (as I still do not). For something that had been on my body for 4 years, in that area, had to be internal. So I tried to ignore it for a few more years (don't ask me why). After the birth of my 4th son (yes I have 4 boys), I began reading up on yeast infections, I saw a different mid-wife, I requested to have them run the yeast antibody blood test, at which my results came back a 3 out of 4 (I assume you are familiar with the test), she did not know what to do with the results and referred me to my PCP (she als o prescribed me Diflucan which did wonders at getting rid of it... for about a week). The PCP was the first doctor I saw that did not think it was yeast related. She thought it was related to my dermatitis and prescribed me a topical steroid (the same one I use on my hand), that stuff did not help at all. Then I went to an accupuncturist who found all kinds of problems (immune related, staff and strep related, some yeast, and others I can't remember) and after 8 visits, nothing had changed. I went to a different dermatologist, I had her test me for a gluten allergy (3 blood tests) because I thought I had "the 7 year itch" that people with gluten allergy have... no gluten allergy. She also tried a neurological treatment on me (a very low dose anti-depressent) which did not help and really messed with my functionality. She cultured the area and found bacterias and yeasts present, she put me on an anti-biotic, which did nothing for my problem. Then I called a Naturopath who told me to cut yeast and Sugar from my diet, this was in mid-November 08'. With more reading, I decided to start consuming coconut oil, kyolic and caprylic acid daily. When I saw him, he informed me to drink 8-10 glasses of filtered water/day. He also had me start taking pau d' arco, a homeopathic adrenal gland solution for under my tongue, and game me a lotion with frankensense to apply to the area twice a day. I also was referred to see an infectious disease specialist by a phamacist and RN, so I did. He tested me for HIV and diabetes, which I have neither. He was not convinced it was yeast related because I was not more sick. He referred me back to the dermatologist who then tried to prescribe me Pramasol because she thinks it is neurological, I elected not to use the Pramasol.

The itchiness is now in both areas, most of the time (it backs off and flares up at different times every day). I am currently taking 8000mg of coconut oil, 2000mg of pau d' arco, 5000-8000mg of caprylic acid, 800-1200mg of kyolic, 25 billion organisms of probiotics, and at least 64oz of filtered water each day. My diet consists of no-sugar/yeast cereals, soy or rice milk, raw milk, raw butter, protein, almond butter, tortillas, spelt and sourdough (no yeast) breads, beans, very little vinegar (in sauces/dressings, it is hard to stay away from), vegetables, nuts (except peanuts), coffee, if I need a sweet fix I have things with stevia and/or carob powder or chips, the worst thing I probably do is consume a protein shake 1-3 times a day, mixed in water or raw milk. At times I have small amounts of regular butter or cream in my coffee.

As far as environmental issues, I am not sure what you want to know about. Can you give me some specific examples?

I am sorry to lay down my entire life story like that, I just want help and I feel like I need to show people the whole picture.

My brother is an ER doctor, he thinks that maybe my husband has something to do with it, maybe he has a yeast infection with no symptoms, what do you think? I am not convinced of this because we had intercourse for almost 2 years before this problem showed up. Also, I don't seem to be more bothered by it from intercourse, except for the irritation that the act itself causes. Also, could it be possible to have an undiagnosed STD? Or could it be endocrin related? Let me know anything you can, your help/advice is greatly appreciated.