How to Stop Vaginal Itching: 17 Home Remedies

Home remedies for vaginal itching depend on what's causing your discomfort. For example, probiotics can help ease a yeast infection, while raw honey can stop the itch from bacterial vaginosis. 

With that being said, if you have certain additional symptoms, such as swelling, pain, or trouble peeing, you should see a healthcare provider about vaginal itching before trying any remedies at home. Vaginal itching that persists for a week despite home remedies should also be evaluated.

This article explains what causes vaginal itching and how to stop itching down there immediately. It discusses common natural treatments and home remedies for itchy private parts.

Why Is My Vagina Itchy?

Vaginal itching can occur for a variety of different reasons. While you can sometimes treat the itchiness at home, other times you will need to be treated by a healthcare provider.

The most likely causes of itchiness in your vagina or the vulva (outer part of the genitals) include the following:

Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is a common infection caused by the microscopic fungus called Candida albicans, otherwise known as yeast.

Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments, such as the vaginal area. Excessive sweating or staying too long in wet, sweaty clothes can contribute to yeast overgrowth, as can wearing tight spandex or nylon underwear.

Hormones

Hormonal changes, including low estrogen levels, can cause itching in your private parts. This can occur during pregnancy, your period, menopause, and perimenopause, or the transition period before menopause.

Sometimes, a big estrogen drop can cause vaginal atrophy, which can lead to vaginal dryness, burning, and itching.

Chemical Irritants

Chemicals in hygiene products, birth control products, and other items that touch your vaginal area can irritate the sensitive vaginal tissues and cause itching.

Products that may cause you to become itchy down there include scented soap, laundry detergent, latex condoms, tampons, and scented pads.

Skin Conditions

Both eczema and psoriasis are skin conditions that can cause your private parts to itch.

Groin eczema can cause your vulva to become painful, red, and itchy. Genital psoriasis that affects the vulva can cause gray, scaly patches of skin as well as smooth, red patches inside of skin folds. These patches can be very itchy and painful as well.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition in women ages 15 to 44, especially those who are sexually active.

BV symptoms include vaginal itching, white or gray discharge, a fish-like odor, and burning during urination.

Lichen Schlerosis

While rare, vaginal itching is sometimes from vulvar cancer. Vaginal itching can occur with a condition called lichen sclerosus, a precursor to vulvar cancer.

Lichen sclerosus causes thin and fragile, white patches of skin in the genital area that can appear shiny or wrinkled. In people with darker skin, skin patches may initially look like vitiligo.

Vaginal Dryness

The hormone estrogen helps keep vaginal tissues lubricated. Vaginal dryness can happen when estrogen levels are reduced following menopause, after childbirth, or due to breastfeeding.

In addition, some drugs can cause low estrogen, including cancer treatments, anti-estrogen drugs, cold and allergy medications and antidepressants. These too may cause vaginal dryness.

STIs

Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause your private parts to itch include:

• Chlamydia, which causes itchiness, painful urination, yellow vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, and lower abdominal pain
• Gonorrhea, which causes itchiness, painful urination, yellow or bloody vaginal discharge, and bleeding between periods
• Trichomoniasis, which causes itchiness, yellow-green or gray vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, painful sex, and painful urination
• Genital herpes, which causes itching, painful sores, burning during urination, difficulty urinating, and pain
• Genital warts, which causes itching, and whiteish or skin-colored bumps that appear alone or in bunches

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Itching

If you are experiencing mild itching in your vagina or the vulva without any other concerning or unusual symptoms, you can try a simple home remedy to see if it helps.

If, however, you have other unusual symptoms or still itch after one week, you should see your healthcare provider for an evaluation.

Baking Soda Bath

A warm bath with baking soda has been shown to help relieve itching and soothe irritated skin. Although baking soda is safe for sensitive vaginal skin, you should not use baking soda if you have cuts or open sores.

For a baking soda bath, add between a quarter cup and two cups to warm water, then lie back and relax. One lab study suggests baking soda can kill yeast, but it's unknown whether it can do this in your body.

Colloidal Oatmeal Baths

Colloidal oatmeal powder may lower skin inflammation and help stop vaginal itching and irritation quickly. Colloidal oatmeal is made by grinding the entire oat grain into a fine powder so that none of its skin-soothing benefits are lost.

To make a colloidal oatmeal bath, simply dissolve oatmeal into a warm bath and soak for up to 20 minutes. You can buy colloidal oatmeal online, but if you do not have access to it, bathing in plain oats is also soothing for your skin.

Greek Yogurt and Probiotics

Vaginal bacteria and yeast keep each other in check. If the bacteria population drops, the yeast can grow out of control. Probiotics, found in supplements and yogurt, may increase bacteria and get things back in balance. But, this may not necessarily get rid of the infection.

Some trials suggest that probiotics are effective for BV, although more research needs to be done. As a home remedy for BV, you can try to re-introduce more good bacteria by applying plain greek yogurt to your vulva or vagina. Use it alone, with honey, or with vaginal cream.

Boric Acid

Boric acid may treat yeast infections when applied topically or as a vaginal suppository (inserted into the vagina). One small study suggests that boric acid may be as effective as fluconazole for treating this purpose. Fluconazole is the same antifungal medicine in brands like Monistat.

You can apply boric acid to your vulva topically to relieve itching and treat yeast infection or BV. You may also find boric acid suppositories in stores, pharmacies, or online.

A Cool Compress

Using a cool compress will not treat fungal or bacterial infections, but it can soothe the skin and temporarily relieve itching. Simply wet a clean washcloth with cool water and place it over your vulva. Take care to pat dry your skin afterwards.

Aloe Vera Cream

Aloe vera is proven to soothe itching due to a variety of ailments. You can safely apply plain aloe vera gel onto the vulva or inside the vagina. Keep in mind that while aloe vera can relieve itchy symptoms, it will not heal an active infection.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil may be effective for skin conditions like eczema. One study suggests topical coconut oil may even be more moisturizing for the skin than mineral oil.

Another study found that coconut oil was as effective as the antifungal medication clotrimazole for treating yeast infections. Study participants inserted coconut oil vaginally.

Raw Honey

Honey's anti-inflammatory properties can quickly reduce itching in your vaginal area. Honey has long held a place in traditional medicine as a treatment for eczema, and its antibacterial properties may make it a good treatment against BV.

Research also shows that applying honey to the vulva can be an effective treatment against yeast infection. Researchers typically use medical-grade honey, such as pure manuka honey.

Garlic Tablets

Some traditional practitioners believe that inserting a fresh garlic clove into the vagina can effectively treat yeast infection. Although raw garlic does show antifungal properties in lab tests, there is very little evidence in favor of using it vaginally.

Cotton Underwear

Wearing tight clothes such as Spandex or nylon may worsen itchiness and increase your risk of yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. You can protect your vulva and vaginal areas by wearing loose-fitting cotton clothes as well as cotton or silk underwear. It is also recommended to sleep without underwear to allow your private parts to breathe.

OTC Treatments for Vaginal Itching

Natural remedies are a good place to start if you are experiencing vaginal itching and don't have other signs of infection. But if you find that natural remedies are not enough to relieve the itch, you will find numerous over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options at your local supermarket or pharmacy.

Antifungal Creams

Antifungal creams are readily available for treating yeast infections. Antifungal medications for vaginal yeast infections can be found as creams, ointments, tablets, and suppositories.

OTC antifungal creams for yeast infections include:

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin and Mycelex)
• Miconazole (Micatin and Monistat)
• Tioconazole (Vagistat-1)
  

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are medications that block the action of histamines—chemicals released by your immune system to protect your body from allergens and irritants.

Histamines are partially responsible for making you itch, so taking antihistamine medications may temporarily relieve vaginal itchiness. However, antihistamines may not be useful for all causes of vaginal itchiness, such as eczema.

Instead, use antihistamines if you suspect your vaginal itchiness is caused by an allergen or environmental irritant, such as laundry detergent or a soap that didn't bode well with your skin.

Antihistamine medications are available in pill form. They work systemically by moving through your blood system and relieving irritation throughout your whole body, including your private parts.

Available OTC antihistamine medications include:

• Allegra (fexofenadine)
• Claritin (loratadine)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• Clemastine fumarate
• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Aquaphor

Aquaphor may soothe itchiness related to eczema or vaginal dryness, but it will not stop an active yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. You can safely apply Aquaphor to your vulva to relieve itchiness and promote healing. An alternative is Vaseline, which can achieve the same anti-itch effect.

Diaper Cream

Like Aquaphor and Vaseline, diaper cream is an emollient that protects, moisturizes, and lubricates the skin. Diaper cream can be applied directly to your genital area to relieve itching related to eczema or vaginal dryness. But again, it is not adequate enough to heal an active infection.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone is part of a class of drugs known as corticosteroids that reduce swelling, redness, and itching when applied to the skin. Hydrocortisone creams are typically used to relieve itchiness caused by eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis.

You can apply hydrocortisone cream to your vulva to temporarily relieve itchiness. It will not heal an active infection, though, and should not be inserted into the vagina.

Medicated Wipes

Medicated intimate wipes like those by the brand Vagisil can be used to relieve itchiness in your private parts. Although they will not cure a yeast infection, they are effective for relieving yeast infection-related itchiness. Vagisil anti-itch wipes contain aloe vera and vitamin E for instant itch relief.

Vaginal Moisturizers

Vaginal moisturizers like Replens are used to relieve vaginal dryness due to menopause, certain medications, tampon use, and other causes. Vaginal moisturizers can be applied to relieve dryness and itchiness. They can also be used as a lubricant in order to enhance sexual intimacy.

Things to Avoid

Some chemicals in laundry detergents, soaps, body washes, and feminine sprays, irritate vaginal tissues and cause itching. If you notice that a product you used caused you to itch, stop using that product immediately.

Irritating products to avoid include:

• Bubblebaths
• Douches
• Feminine hygiene sprays
• Glitter bath bombs
• Menstrual pads or tampons that are scented
• Nylons, pantyhose, or tights
• Scented laundry detergent
• Spandex shape wear
• Talcum powder
• Tight pants
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider if:

• Vaginal itching is disrupting your life, including how well you sleep
• Vaginal itching is not improving after a week of using home remedies
• You have blistering or ulcers around your genitals, especially on the vulva
• You have redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness in the genital area
• You notice a change in vaginal discharge or odor
• You have pain or discomfort during urination or sexual penetration
• You are having difficulty urinating

While home remedies can help relieve symptoms, most won't treat the underlying cause. It's always best to reach out to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Summary

Many conditions can cause vaginal itching. Some need to be treated with prescription medication, so it's important to see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Home remedies can make you more comfortable during treatment or while the condition resolves on its own.

See a healthcare provider for symptoms such as an ongoing itch, bleeding, blistering, swelling, pain, or changes in the skin or discharge.