Peeling skin and irritation

For a few days now i have had irritation and sunburn like peeling on my vulva. It hurts when i touch it or wipe after going to the bathroom. It's more red and irritated in the places where the peeling skin has rubbed off. I thought i might have a yeast infection but i haven't had much discharge at all and it's not "cottage cheese" like. Also sort of unrelated to this problem i noticed a bump that i can feel inside my vagina near but not on my cervix. It is small and feels round and hard like a pimple or small mole. It's the only bump i can feel. My boyfriend and i usually have sex with condoms a couple of times a day but we have stopped the last couple of days becasue of the irritation. Do any of the symptoms sound like a STD?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This sounds mostly like a chemical irritation or allergic reaction, perhaps to a vaginal deodorant, douche, spermicide, lubricant used during sex, a perfumed sanitary pad, etc.  However, yeast and herpes also are possible.  Despite common beliefs, yeast infection doesn't usually cause increased discharge; the main symptom is irritation.  Herpes usually appears as discrete sores, bumps, etc, but sometimes can cause more diffuse irritation; the "bump" makes me somewhat concerned about herpes.

The standard advice applies:  See a health care provider soon, and in the meantime don't try to treat yourself (for example, don't use an over-the-counter yeast treatment).

Good luck--   HHH, MD