Dry, Flaky Vulva Skin and Cuts After Shaving – What’s Going On?

[LeahXXX]

Hey everyone, I really need some advice.
Earlier today, I started feeling an intense itch around my vaginal area, especially near the outer labia and pubic region. It got so uncomfortable that I kept scratching throughout the day without really thinking about it. I noticed the skin felt dry and kind of flaky, and there was a lot of irritation going on.

Later, I decided to take a warm shower and shave because I thought the pubic hair might be contributing to the irritation or trapping sweat. After shaving, I realized the skin looked even more inflamed — and now I can actually see what looks like small cuts or open sores, possibly from scratching or shaving over already irritated skin.

The itching has mostly gone away for now, and I applied a thin layer of Neosporin to the broken skin. But I’m honestly confused and a bit worried. I don’t know if this is a yeast infection, razor burn, dry skin, or something more serious.

There’s no unusual discharge or odor, no pain when I pee, just raw, flaky skin and these little cuts now. Has anyone experienced something like this before?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Penelope_30]

Holla, LeahXXX! For me, it turned out to be **sensitive skin reacting to body wash** plus shaving irritation. I stopped using anything scented down there, switched to a hypoallergenic cleanser, and it helped a lot. Also, give the skin at least a week to recover before shaving again!

 

[Sophia33]

This sounds a lot like what happened to me after shaving dry skin — total mistake. It got flaky, I scratched it, and next thing I knew I had tiny cuts. I used coconut oil for moisture and it helped the itching. But yeah, learned my lesson. Let it heal and don’t rush to shave again!

 

[Dr_Jennifer]

Thank you for sharing your experience — I understand how concerning these symptoms can be.
Based on your description, it sounds like a combination of contact dermatitis, mechanical irritation, and post-shaving trauma. Here's a breakdown:

1. Intense itching and flakiness may stem from dry skin, a mild allergic reaction to hygiene products, or even early signs of a yeast imbalance.
2. Scratching, especially over dry or flaky skin, can cause microtears, which become more visible after shaving.
3. Shaving irritated skin often leads to razor burn, minor abrasions, and sometimes folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles).
4. The presence of cuts and redness is likely due to a combination of friction, shaving, and possibly minor bacterial irritation.

What You Can Do:​

• Avoid shaving or scratching the area until fully healed.
• Continue applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) once or twice daily.
• Keep the area dry, clean, and ventilated — consider switching to cotton underwear.
• Do not use scented soaps, bubble baths, or feminine washes as they can worsen irritation.
• If the skin doesn’t start improving in 2–3 days, or if you develop pain, swelling, discharge, or fever, consult a gynecologist or dermatologist — it could indicate a secondary infection or something like vulvar eczema or a mild yeast infection.

Take care, and let us know how things go!

 

[Stella54]

Same thing happened when I switched detergents. The new one was too harsh and gave me crazy itching down there. I’d check your laundry soap too — unscented all the way now. And definitely let the area breathe, no tight pants or synthetic underwear until it calms down.