Herpes Vulvitis or contact vulvitis???

[lalaland]

about two or three weeks ago i had a greater amount of intercourse in one weekend than usual, and i didn't keep up with the lubrication like i should have, about a day or two later i noticed allot of irritation and general "unhappiness"  around the vaginal opening.  A bit of swelling, redness, some pain during urination (but this went away) i searched the internet for allergic reactions because i have recently developed alot of allergies (dust, perfume etc..) i thought it may be related. it recommended trying a topical sensitive skin hydrocorozone, i used this and the swelling and redness went down but did not disappear. i did this for about 3 days

about a week later i finally got an appointment with my GYN, i told her the symptoms. the swelling had gone down but the area around my inner labia was still red and a bit sore. they gave me a urine test for UTI and a test for yeast infection, i did have a yeast infection and they treated me with tetra-somethingorother for 7 days.

after that i felt better but still not 100%  it seemed i had very localized discomfort on the left side just inside the vaginal opening almost on the hymen(?) but not quite. i couldn't see anything but just a bit or redness still.

its now been about 2-3 weeks i was in a better lit bathroom tonight and took another look. there was an area about the size of a dime or nickel by the bartholin duct opening that was red and a tiny bit itchy kind of sore like a bruise, it looked like there may have been small bumps (2-3) but i have rather "bumpy" skin. they were not raised much more like a really mild blister you would get from shoes and they did not pop when i applied light pressure, they were not discolored at all, im not even sure they are blisters or maybe just irritation from friction.

i think i may be allergic to my soap/latex

are there any tell tale signs that may help me tell if i have one condition or the other? the internet seems to say  that due to the location its more likely to be contact vulvitis, herpes is usually on the outer labia?? but then again you can never trust the internet :) im going to the doctor no matter the outcome...if only i could get an appointment soon (thanks to HMO's)

and can i do anything to relive the discomfort while i wait for an appointment/?

[lalaland]

i forgot to mention i have HPV but it has been "inactive" for a couple years

[gracefromHHP]

Have you or your partner ever been tested for herpes?  If not then that's the next step. Get baseline herpes blood tests for both of you to see if you even have to be thinking about herpes as a cause.

in the future - don't apply otc topical hydrocortisone creams to the genital area unless a doctor has told you to do so.  Our sensitive genital skin often can't handle the otc strengths and it can actually sometimes make things worse. If you have herpes - it usually does make it worse instead of better which is another reason to avoid them down yonder.

You already know you had a yeast infection - that can be very irritating ( so can the medication you were given - if you have sensitive skin - in the future insist they give you the oral diflucan instead so you aren't putting irritating medications on the sensitive skin ).

For now - anytime you can go bottomless do so to cut down on irritation to the skin as well as to get cool air to discourage further yeast overgrowth.  This can be a bathrobe or oversized tee around the house.  When you get dressed - apply a barrier cream to help protect the skin ( a&d, desitin, zinc oxide etc ) or dust yourself with some corn starch to cut down on friction.  

Hopefully you get some better answers when you follow up with your doctor.  When you had your allergy testing done did they do latex and a full allergy panel?

grace

[lalaland]

i haven't had an allergy test yet,I've just noticed those-things trigger my allergies. i do have sensitive skin, i remember when i was little my mom had to use desitin on me all the time. im going to urgent care today. i did not use soap in the area and now i feel less irritated. hopefully its just a reaction and not herpes. thank you!