i need help...genital itching

Doctor,

I noticed last week that I had itching around my genitals. I am female. I was inbetween my labias.  I scratched it really bad last night to relieve the itching and then all of a sudden it became tender and swollen! The swelling went down when I woke up this morning but now it is all red and a small white spot.  I had 2 HIV tests a while back around the 4 month mark after my exposure and also STD tests such as Hep. and chlamidia and ghonnorhea and they were negative. I got those at 2 months after exposure. This is now a year later and this itching started now this redness! Please help. Can it just have turned this way b/c I scratched it too hard?  Please help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Most genital itching in women is not due to any STD.  Everybody's genitals itch from time to time, but prominent itching with redness suggests a yeast infection, which almost every woman gets from time to time.  My guess is that the increased tenderness and swelling are simply because aggressive itching broke the skin and might have led to a minor bacterial infection--exactly as you suspect yourself.  No STD is likely to be the cause.  You should see a health care provider and not try to figure this out on your own or by online forums, this or any other.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[unknowman]

did you took the syphilis test???

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Disregard the comment about syphilis, which does not cause symptoms like you describe.  But of course follow your own provider's advice about any recommended testing.

[brandy 57]

I am mostly concerned about this very vague looking white spot in the middle.  Not really white, just a little lighter than the rest.  Does this make a difference in your opinion?

Also, even if I did have HIV (i tested negative out to 4 months) does this sound like a later symptom caused by it?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No, that doesn't change my opinion.  Your symptoms don't suggest HIV and a negative test 4 months after the last possible exposure proves you don't have it.