Vagisil is a medicated cream, and its active ingredient is 2 percent lidocaine. Vagisil is mainly used for providing relief from the uneasiness due to minor itching and irritation of the skin just outside of the vagina. It can also be applied around the anus.
Lidocaine mainly works below the skin surface by numbing the skin. As a result, the itching and irritation stop along with the urge to scratch.
What is Vagisil?
Vagisil is a medicated cream. The other ingredients are
- Stearic acid
- Self-emulsifying glyceryl monostearate
- Glycerol
- Triethanolamine
- Zinc oxide
- Sulfonated castor oil
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Chlorothymol
- Fragrance
- Docusate sodium
- Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
- Purified water
The Vagisil maximum is a stronger preparation that has benzocaine and resorcinol as its contents.
Avoid using Vagisil if
- allergic to lidocaine or any other ingredients of Vagisil
- aged younger than 12 years of age
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- on other medication, such as prilocaine and sodium nitrite
How should I use Vagisil?
Check the label thoroughly before using Vagisil. Confirm with the doctor if not sure about how to use Vagisil. Vagisil should only be used externally, especially on the skin just outside of the vagina and around the anus by adults and children older than 12 years.
Apply the cream to the affected area three to four times daily for up to one week. If symptoms persist after a week, consult a physician to find if the itch is due to some other conditions.
Does Vagisil kill vaginal bacteria?
Vagisil mostly contains topical gels to numb the itching. As it has no antibacterial or antifungal activity, it does not protect against infection. If there is itching along with significant white discharge and smell, it is better to seek medical consultation. However, Vagisil is known to give significant relief from vaginal dryness and itching, especially in elderly women.
The other products available under the brand Vagisil are
- Intimate area wash, which is claimed to be hypoallergenic.
- Intimate wipes, which can be used to clean the vaginal area after using public washrooms.
- Vagistat suppositories and creams containing an antifungal called miconazole to treat fungal infections of the vagina.
It is advised to use the three products mentioned above after consulting a gynecologist. Most doctors believe that vagina can clean itself by its own cleaning mechanisms. It does not need intimate washes or douches.
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