itchy, stingy, booboos on vulva

[superitchy]

I am 31 years old, have 4 children and am pregnant 28 weeks with another. I have had this problem for around 6 years. I have considered and tested for everything from allergies to sensitivity to onions... you can't imagine where I've gone with this.
I have itching, stinging, and small cuts like paper cuts, which you can't see, but that sting with wetness (like water, soap, lotions, pee). I also have flesh colored bumps that come and go. All of this runs along the top inside area of the labia majora and just barely down the clitoral hood. Occasionally I also experience the stinging near the bottom of the opening, more on the perinneum area, but no bumps there. I have been tested for the obvious herpes, but to no avail. I have had blood work and swabbing done. My doctor feels it is lichen sclerosus, because she sees what she called "cigarette paper" skin, meaning it is very thin in that area. I have requested a biopsy, which is pending, because I want to be sure. I know I have the one sign of it, but there are so many others which I don't have.
I have considered; yeast, allergies, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis (both of which I have in minor forms elsewhere), friction, underwear issues, sex, infections, STDs, urine acidity, TP irritation, you name it... I even had a theory because they seem to worsen when I eat onions... don't know what that's about.
I have seen numerous (over 400) posts with these same sort of symptoms, and no one seems to have a diagnosis! What the heck is going on here?
I have no STD, no allergy, no perfumes or dyes, no lotions, nothing that should be causing this. Up until now, I would have the "boo boos" as I call them, for a couple of days and they would subside. I usually avoid sexual things during that time, as friction doesn't seem to help. Now, they are here to stay! I cannot get them to go away or even improve. Older tactics of mine have not been working.. it's like they're getting smarter! I have found the following useful in the past:
yeast treatments (they sometimes go away for weeks at a time after this, but not always)
avoiding sex or friction to the area
avoiding soaps and lotions
applying diaper creams (desitin seems to flare it up!)
A&D (useful for the itch)
hydrocortisone (suggested by doc.. helps with itching, seems to improve a LITTLE bit, still no cure though)
Union Salve (fixes dang near everything else on the face of the planet)
more washing/less washing
more moisture/less moisture
yogurt (acidophilus, eating and applying)
vaginal cleansing solutions/wipes/itch cream
etc....

The list goes on. To me this seems like a rampant yeast problem. I don't get as far as a discharge, but the itching near the vaginal opening is always my first clue and I usually treat right away, commonly with tricanozole (sp?) prescription, as I tend to be pregnant a lot, which can lead to yeast issues.
I know I have at least two immune disorders, including psoriasis and hypothyroidism, so the idea of such a thing is not ridiculous to me (lichen sclerosus is immune related), although I have a negative ANA (testing for connective tissue and other immune diseases). So, I am in the dark.
I pride myself on the ability to find out what my own problems are and cure them myself. Most often I tell the doctor what I have and they concur. I am left feeling totally stumped here, which frightens me the most.
I smoke cigarettes and have not used anything hormonal (BC pills, etc.) for many years. I do not have chronic problems with dryness or moisture.
Most recently I also discovered a new thing.. two little tiny bumps on the inside of my labia majora near the vaginal opening. They are tiny and I mean small.. one is slightly hard and the other is not, they are virtually symetrically located. They have since improved, but have been hanging around for a couple of weeks, one of them a little tender. There is nothing in them, seemingly, and they have no head, nor are they really visible, as they are flesh colored. I do not shave. This is a first for me. I don't know if they are related or not.
Now... I have been having a little trouble with sex. I have had some internal "swelling" or something, making entry difficult, even with a finger (sorry so personal). My partner notices it also, and I am slightly tender with deeper insertion during intercourse. Sure, I can possibly attribute this to pregnancy, but I can't be sure with all this other jazz. I swear I feel like posting caution tape and declaring my vagina to be condemned.
I would really like to know if there is anyone who has the EXACT same symptoms as I do. I have seen lots of bits and pieces, but no one with the whole same story. I know we're all different, but for heaven's sake.. with 400+ posts of similar symptoms, has NO ONE found out what the heck is happening to us girls?
Pleaseeeeee, please, if you are medically inclined, suffering this same issue, or having any success with a treatment of some kind, please let me know. I NEED a diagnosis. I don't want to kiss my sex life, comfort and vaginal health and structure good bye!!!! Thanks so much.

[les_kins]

Have you tried a probiotic? I have this exact same problem, and I found that going to the health food store and buying a probiotic is a life saver! The one I buy is somewhat pricey, but you take it every other day and it has helped me so very much. If you're interested I can surely give you the name and info on the probiotic I take. Like I said, it's been a life saver! I have no problems anymore!

[SHEWANTS2KNOW]

It's been happening to me now for 3 plus months- tiny tears, red lesions- usually in the same spots now around the anus- itching and burning when pee or wipes touch the area- I've been using over the counter yeast infection vulvar creams, it's been helping to 'coat' the areas so that I can pee without screaming... I just got tested today for std's- so I will post again if that's the case... However the doc says he thinks it's chronic yeast infections which can affect the labia & anus areas... Chronic yeast infections require possibly a long course of anti-fungal medicines and doctor follow-ups. I also take a generic synthroid medicine for my hypothyroidism and I take acid reducing medicine, not to mention the stress in my life and high sugar/carb diet... All of which are contributing factors to yeast infections.  

My cousin said she had the same thing- tiny painful cuts and painful sex and she went to 8 GYN's until she went to a John Hopkins GYN and they finally diagnosed her with HSV-1 - Oral Herpes (the kind that is a cold sore on the mouth area) that 'manifested' itself in her vulva area from oral sex with her hubby. He rarely has the herpes cold sores but apparently the cells are always shedding and the herpes 1 cold sore does not have to be present to transmit it to the vagina....  She had a specific Herpes 1 & 2 blood test to determine that she indeed had the virus in her blood- the pap and/or the std cultures came back negative- so you must ask for a blood test. She now takes prescription Valtrex and the supplement l-tyrosine 500 mg & she is outbreak free. One down side is that she does not like how the Valtrex makes her feel. However, it outweighs the painful tears & painful sex...

Since you said you are pregnant allot, it could be your hormones causing chronic yeast infections... The doc prescribed me today a prescription (not over the counter) cream to use- Nystatin-triamcinolone cream- to apply to the outer areas 3 times a day... We shall see if that works... I will post again- hopefully tear-free!

[SHEWANTS2KNOW]

Okay, the tests came back negative (I do not have) herpes 1 (HSV-1) or herpes 2. The doctor originally by my description (frequency/reoccurence/sore red tears- that itch and burn when urine hits them) thought like I did, that it was HSV... But since the blood tests and culture came back negative now the doc is thinking it's a chronic yeast infection on the outer vaginal area. He prescribed a cream (stronger than over the counter) "Nystatin & Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP". For external use only to rub on the infected areas around the anus and labia. I recommend making sure to place the cream on the vaginal area then wash your hands and place the cream on your anal area- that is if you have tears in that area as well. So far so good.

I am also making sure that I wear a small non-deodorant pad, changing it throughout the day and making sure the area is clean and dry. If you sweat allot you may want to bring extra undies with you when you go about your busy day if you are opposed and or are further irritated by using small pantie-liners.

I'm still awaiting pap results... Which may also shed further light onto this situation.

There is also a homeopathic over the counter pill you can take (which may or may not work) called Yeast Gard Advanced- I'm sure there are others- which you will of course need to make sure are safe to use if pregnant or breast-feeding. I'm trying the Yeast Gard along with the cream, I will let you know if the GYN also recommends a course of anti-fungal medicine....  I hope this works!

If this is a yeast issue for many of us, we need to figure out what the core issue is and it may be different for each of us, depending on our lifestyles and over-all health. I'm sure this site has lots of info all ready on yeast infections... Now perhaps we can add one more symptom to the list, vaginal tears on the vulva area.... Best wishes to all- I know this is quite a pain to deal with. Hang in there. Don't give up, research and be ready with questions when you see your doctor, who cares what the doc thinks or how annoyed they may become at all your questions, it's your health. Don't neglect yourself:)

[muffin100]

I've been getting the yeast infections and vulva tears for about 6 years now. Then the past 3 years itchy hands(palms&fingers)itchy bottom of feet,and underams. I tried alot of things-creams and gyno's couldnt diagnose me. The beginning of this year I started taking beta glucan and it seems to be working-as long as I keep taking it.If I stop-my itching returns and so do my vulvar lesions(after sex). The brand of beta glucan I take is called Better Immunity-I take 2 capsules a day-I ordered it from young again *******. I think each capsule is 200 mg. But I was still occasionlly get yeast infections. I stopped taking my birth control pills and I have been yeast infection free for 6 months. But I still have to take my beta glucan capsules everyday-otherwise the itchy armpits,hands,feet and vulvar lesions return. I also have hay fever and ADD. I have read the allergies can cause ADD and learning disorders too. I wonder if I'm allergic to something I eat that causes this skin problem. I remember hearing of a skin disorder with a long name-which I can't remember what its called-I've been typing my symptoms and googling it on the internet to see if I can find it. Anyway-do any of you also suffer from learning disabilities,ADD,ADHD,and occasional stomache problems?(like diahrea) I wonder if all this is related