significant burning skin

[Sensitive]

For the last 4 months I have been experiencing significant burning in my vulva area:the outer top and side labia where my pubic hair is, the intralabial sulcus & back to my rear end; maybe resulting from overtreatment of a yeast infection & UTI(too much topical medication). This is all outside on my skin no irritation in the vagina. I have noticed 1 small bump under skin, which popped 6 months ago, but didn't seem to bother me then. I have been tested & am negative for lots of yeast & bacteria, STDs & diabetes. I had skin biopsy testing for lichen sclerosus, etc. but came back inconclusive. A swab of my urethra was done but nothing was noted. I stopped having sex, using soap,I changed my laundry soap to a clear kind.

I tried clobetesol but that didn't help. Saltwater baths, baking soda baths, aloe & vit. E sting the area. I can't wear cotton underwear b/c rubbing & it stings to urinate.My gyno doesn't think that I have vulvodynia & said to rinse w/ water after urinate, but it stings (I have hard water here). I kept a food diary to see if anything affects my urine but can't figure it out.One thing that helped is trimming my pubic hairs for some reason. It seems like things clear up a bit & then flare up again. I am trying to limit my exercise to not sweat.
1. what's going on?
2. any foods to avoid?
3. how long will it take for my skin to heal & the pain to stop
4. what to do to speed the healing?  I tried desitin 3 months ago & that didn't help.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm not sure what you have or whether you have anything.  It seems to me you are paying too much attention to your vulva, especially to minor and almost certainly insignificant bumps and sensations.  My personal advice would be to do nothing but gentle cleansing and application of a bland moisture lotion like Lubriderm.  I don't think foods have anything to do with this.  That's the best I can do from a distance.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[vlada_oia]

A related discussion, burn skin syndrome was started.