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Swollen Right Labia Minor And Slightly Bumpy. Bathed With Salt, Baking Soda. Will It Aggravate The Irritation ?

Posted on Wed, 3 Oct 2012

Question: Hi my right labia minors is swollen and slightly bumpy, it began yesterday I thought it might be from lace underwear but then i did research and thought it looked a bit like herpes, although only the right labia is affected and I have never had an outbreak on my vagina But i do get cold sores on my mouth sometimes so I applied some of that cold sore cream to my labia last night and popped two tiny blisters ( the dark spits on my right labia) this morning it was worse. I then bathed with salt baking soda and XXXXXXX oil and dabbed witch XXXXXXX on it.. Could I just be aggravating a simple irritation? Or could it be herpes? I was tested negative for stds in January and have been faithful to my partner but not sure about him. Thanks in advance.

I can't seem
To
Upload the image it fom my iphone it wont let me select a file and also wanted to mention I went to a steam room and sauna and pool.. Wondering if something there caused this.

I managed to upload the photos by coming to my laptop, sorry!

I also wanted to further mention that the top layer of skin has hardened, that could be due to the witch XXXXXXX and concoctions I have been applying, anyhow when it began it just felt like a pain as i I had worn panties that were too tight and twisted my labia or something, then I checked an noticed the swelling and tiny bumps.
I'm very concerned it might be herpese but don't want to jump to any conclusions. Its not itchy just painful I ahve no unusual discharge. My period ended Saturday and that's when I last had intercourse. I work as a flight attendant and on the flight home
I never sit on the seat nd always wash my hands but the handtowels cause extreme dryness and sometimes I use them as wipes.. Am just thinking of all possible causes. I have been off my meds as I have been able to control my Ulcerative colitis with diet. But I took some today to help the swelling, as they are anti inflammatories.. That pretty much sums it up. Am icing right now.
Thank you again.

Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (16 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX,

Thanks for writing in detail.

After going through your query and photographs It seems that it is not herpes.

It can be Irritant dermatitis.It can be due to new undergarments, allergy to condoms,soaps , toiletries etc.

Also I would like to know

-Do you have any known allergies/drug allergy?
-Do you had similar complains in past?
-Any history of similar complain in your partner?
-Any medication you have taken recently?
-Any complain of fever /malaise/weakness right now?

Please answer the above questions to advise you better.

Meanwhile you can
-Continue applying cold soaks to area.
-Take ibuprofen tablets for pain . Can take for 2-3 days.
-Apply Hydrocortisone cream over affected area twice daily.
-Avoid using oil/ witch XXXXXXX on the area. It may aggravate the problem.

Hope this helps.

Anticipating your response.

Regards
Dr Sudarshan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudarshan (38 minutes later)

Thank you, today it doesn't hurt but the area is still enlarged and hardened., No similar condition on partner and I have never had anything like this before. Can I buy hydrocortisone over the counter? is there any way to reduce the size back to Normal faster?

Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (7 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX,

You can buy hydrocortisone over the counter . Limit the application to twice a day.

Continue cold compresses.

Size should reduce in a weeks time.Dont apply anything else .

If you have any other questions feel free to ask them.

If you are satisfied with the answer please indicate it by rating it at the end.

Regards
Dr Sudarshan

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar