Health and wellbeing | how to avoid vaginal infection and irritation

Protect your privates

20 Dec 2011 11:16 AM | Posted by Editor

Vaginal irritations happen to the best of us – and while they’re annoying enough when they occur on your home turf, they can be damn near disastrous if they happen while you’re on holidays!

Don’t let vaginal itching, burning or chafing ruin your long-awaited holiday – take these private part precautions and keep your nether region happy and protected all holiday long…

Do: Go comfy in cotton

While we all want to look as glam as Vic Beckham when we step off the plane, we generally don’t have that luxury (being cooped up in Economy doesn’t really allow for creature comforts and multiple mid-flight outfit changes). If you’re going to be sitting for a while, it’s best to ditch the g-string and skinny jeans and opt for comfy cotton undies and loose-fitting pants. The cotton will allow air to flow in and out of your clothes, keeping you feeling fresh and clean for longer.

If you’re on a long-haul flight it’s also a good idea to take a change of undies and some refreshing feminine wipes, such as Vagisil Feminine Wipes, to help minimise sweat, vaginal odour and the chance of irritation from occurring.

Don’t: Sit in wet swimmers

It might seem like the easy option to simply throw on a pair of shorts or cute dress over your damp bikini and go straight from beach to bar, but too much time spent in damp lycra is a definite no-no for your nether regions as it can cause thrush and vaginal itchiness. If you are suffering from minor burning or itching, Vagisil Cream will provide super quick, temporary relief from vaginal discomfort – without staining your underwear.

Do: Protect your privates

Holiday flings are definitely fun, but chances are you probably don’t know all that much about the guy you met in the bar so keep a condom handy to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections.

If you’re in need of some extra lubrication, Vagisil Intimate Moisturising Lubricant is a great water-based option that adds extra moisture down below, without the risk of causing irritation or harming condoms.

Don’t: Underestimate your undies

When you’re travelling on a budget your first instinct is to opt for the more affordable – even if that means washing your underwear with cheap soap (or dishwashing liquid!) in the bathroom sink of your hostel. Sure, it may be the cheapest, quickest option, but the harsh cleaning agents found in these detergents will linger in your underwear, transferring to your privates, causing irritation and infection. And trust me, if you’re overseas and this occurs, a trip to the doctor will be a lot more costly than a good quality laundry detergent!

Win! For your chance to win a mystery beauty prize pack, simply tell us in the comments section of this blog, about the best place you've travelled to and why?

Competition closes midnight Saturda 7th January 2012.

Where’s the best place you’ve ever travelled and why?

Member Comments (76)

Posted by: Animal Lover (Australia)

The best place that i have travelled to would be Darwin, it untouched beauty is wonderous. The rocky stretch of land, the wild life, the lushness, the people. So much to see and do, it took us back to Australia some 200 years ago. What an experience, a must for all to see.

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 8:15am)

Posted by: Animal Lover (Australia)

Ps i was describing Darwin 15 years ago, not sure what it is like now. Hope it is still the same.

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 8:18am)

Posted by: Jenniqua (Australia)

I went to Hawaii and Las Vegas in May of this year and it was sensational. Hawaii is so relaxed and beautiful and Las Vegas is so wild and crazy, it was fantastic having the two extremes and Las Vegas was so fun and exciting. Two very different worlds that gave me equal pleasure and surprise.

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 9:13am)

Posted by: Platinum Ms (Australia)

Great article!. I have mainly travelled in Oz so I found Whitsunday Islands with its private beaches and the Mindle Markets in Darwin where I lived in both places so when your local you find secluded spots

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 11:56am)

Posted by: softness (Member since 2007, Australia)

The heavenly island of Mana, one of Fiji's many islands. Mana is fairly remote, can be walked around in 40 minutes (so it's not overly large and overly populated!) and has a nifty little baby island near it which takes about five minutes in a boat to get to. THATunique baby island is to be experienced with only a bikini, sunscreen, goggles and snorkel. It's a memory that beckons to be reality again so I believe I will be re-visiting that place sometime in my future without a doubt!

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 12:39pm)

Posted by: SMP-kitten (Member since 2008, Australia)

The best place I've ever been was sailing around the whitsundays before spending 5 nights on Hayman Island - a wonderful experience I'll never forget and likely to never be able to afford to repeat.
Why leave Australia when there are beautiful places like that right here?

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 1:26pm)

Posted by: Michelle Sweetheart (United States)

The most amazing place I have been is Fiji by far. Beautiful land, ocean and people.

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 2:29pm)

Posted by: Neilrawson (Australia)

The best place I have travelled to is Lakes Entrance. I love the relaxed beach-front atmosphere, Cafes galore, surf shops, people, sun, surf and fun during the day AND the night is perfect for long walks in the moonlight, waterfront restaurants, music and a carnival like feel bringing so much gaiety to everyone. From a kid and right through to the future years, I will always visit Lakes Entrance, it has a special place in my heart, so many memories and memories to come.
###Sandra

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 2:37pm)

Posted by: beautyqueen95♥ (Australia)

Japan - amazing people, amazing culture, amazing food.

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 2:44pm)

Posted by: Evanescencessy (Australia)

I went to Hong Kong last year and it was an amazing place with exciting night life. The streets are always buzzing with people, billboard and buildings flashing with lights, markets with an array of interesting treasures and gifts as well as the delicious aroma of street foods wafting through the night air. The whole atmosphere is so lively and exciting which entices me to go out and explore!

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 5:05pm)

Posted by: Jacquelinee (Australia)

Places may be interesting, but it is the people that make travel worthwhile.

My favourite place would have to be Disneyland. My family and I had the times of our lives spending 5 days in California. The rides were absolutely amazing, even though they weren't too thrilling, food was fab and cheap! I also loved New York and Canada, I didn't do much shopping but more sightseeing and spending time with family there, it was so much fun catching up!

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 5:43pm)

Posted by: Rewalize (Australia)

Camplong Wine Vineyards ... in the South of France, just south of Carcazonne and Toulouse! The most beautiful vineyards, friendly people and the Red Wine was TO DIE FOR! Did I mention it was all FREE ... they even had a tap at the entrance of the cave where locals in the village could fill their bottles with wine!!! BLISS!!

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 6:52pm)

Posted by: Hayley_Shortie_22 (Australia)

The best place I've been is grindlewald in tassie. Me and my fiancé visited there for our anniversary. It was like being in a small European country without having to go far from home!

Posted on: December 31, 2011 (Dec 31, 2011 10:46pm)

Posted by: Stephanie xx (Australia)

Sadly I haven't travelled much but my favourite holiday was going to Philip Island for a week with my family, it was the perfect time of the year. We rented a beach house in a quite part of the Island, the house had amazing beach views with a big front balcony to sit on and watch the ocean. It was such a relaxing time, I can't wait to go again.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 1:08am)

Posted by: Louise-Anne (Australia)

I love the magic of Broome’s Cable Beach, specifically taking a camel ride along it, as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean and glorious colours wash over the sky. Feeding my camel a carrot afterwards, to thank him for the journey, is a treasured memory.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 3:55am)

Posted by: Discomilk (Australia)

The best place so far.... Well, i'm sure i haven't been there yet. However, montville on the sunshine coast in qld is beautiful! Such a mystical little town with old English buildings and art gallarys.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 9:31am)

Posted by: Elunia (Australia)

The best place I have ever travelled to was a small country town in south Germany, I don't remember the name of the town since it was only a quick stop over early in the morning whilst travelling down to Switzerland but it was amazing with all of the old fashioned buildings with some having years such as anno 1538 written over the door around a market type square with well worn cobblestone walking paths between the houses that were built closer together and villagers walking around in traditional clothes which included lederhosen with a mountainous backdrop. It was amazing and I could never believe that still walked around in traditional clothes until I saw it with my own eyes.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 10:48am)

Posted by: Li (Australia)

Unfortunately I haven't ever really travelled (although I am doing student exchange in the UK later this year!!), but I went to a holiday beach house for a week and it was beautiful there.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 11:37am)

Posted by: Fashionista8P (Member since 2008, Australia)

I am not an abroad traveller just yet but can I dream for a bit....
The place that I would love to travel to is New York. Its filled with hope, promise and A-list celbs. All the great tv shows were filled there and if I could live like they do on Friends or How I met your Mother or Sex and the City for a few weeks then I will be a very happy camper :)

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 11:48am)

Posted by: RetroD11 (Australia)

The best place I've ever travelled to is Phuket, Thailand. It really is a paradise there. The beaches are magnificent, the people are friendly, the food are delicious and of wide variety and the markets sell really affordable and beautiful hand-crafted items! I've been there three times now (no joke!) and will definitely go back there again.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 12:12pm)

Posted by: Green_Jaguar (Australia)

I could not possibly pick one place, however I do love the tropics so.......I would have to say Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and Mission Beach. The beaches are amazing, scenery unbelievable and the people are so friendly. There are heaps of things to do or not.......whatever you prefer! There are quirky shops with the most amazing, unique gifts. Lots of fantastic eating places with the freshest seafood.....the list goes on and on.......

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 2:46pm)

Posted by: Elenaxd (Australia)

The best place i have traveled would be Taiwan. I went there last year with my family and it was AMAZING :) loved the nightmarkets, and, because i live in perth, it was great to see shops open well after 5pm. The prices there were so cheap! and the food was soooooo good :3 it was great to experience the different culture of another country, even if we were waking up at the crack of dawn and getting back to the hotel at 2am. :D

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 3:03pm)

Posted by: Shull87 (Australia)

Albany, Wa.... I havent travelled alot but I live in Albany now and it is beautiful, clean and relaxing I definately always feel very relaxed here all the time.

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 5:02pm)

Posted by: Princess Perfume (Australia)

The best place I've been to is New York - the shopping, the sights, the restaurants, the bright lights! I loved visiting the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Sephora! It really is a world class and it has some of the biggest store beauty departments in the world! Heaven!

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 5:02pm)

Posted by: Tashii (Australia)

I went to Canberra on an army trip and had the time of my life, sure 5am wake up calls on an iced over oval doesn't sound very appealing but it was great fun i would have to admit though training high ropes courses wasn't the best but it was the experience that made it all worth while :)

Posted on: January 01, 2012 (Jan 1, 2012 5:22pm)