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How Can A Swollen Labia Be Treated ?
Question: Went to see my OB/GYN yesterday due to a highly swollen labia. The labia swelled up after I put vagasil on it.
It had started the night before as a completely swollen genital area, but had calmed down over night to just a painful labia.
She found trich on my slide, and then told me I have herpes. However - there are no blisters, only redness and itching. She took cultures to test for the herpes.
Today - the labia is completely normal, but the skin is really hard, almost like it's been burned and is flaking off.
Is there a chance that she is wrong about the herpes?
It had started the night before as a completely swollen genital area, but had calmed down over night to just a painful labia.
She found trich on my slide, and then told me I have herpes. However - there are no blisters, only redness and itching. She took cultures to test for the herpes.
Today - the labia is completely normal, but the skin is really hard, almost like it's been burned and is flaking off.
Is there a chance that she is wrong about the herpes?
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query.
It is a point to notice that the swollen labia flared up after you had put on the topical Vagisil cream. It has subsided in a day, which denotes a mild inflammation, probably allergic in origin. What you have got is vulvovaginitis which is an inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina. Allergic reaction to commonly used products like soaps, vaginal contraceptives, feminine sprays and creams, bubble baths and scented toilet paper can often cause an inflamed vulva and vagina. The flaking skin is due to the chafed skin after inflammation after an allergic reaction.
The other possibility that I could think of is any bacterial, fungal or yeast infection which is causing these symptoms. A diagnosis of trichomoniasis has already been confirmed by your gynecologist. The characteristic symptom of trichomoniasis infection is a heavy, thick, yellow-green, fishy-smelling discharge from the vagina. The infection can also cause discomfort during sex, vaginal itching and swelling of the vulva and vagina.
Herpes cannot be confirmed as diagnosis without investigations because sometimes patients may be having the herpes virus without any sores on the body. Laboratory tests for herpes include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. So to completely rule out any herpes (although not evident from these symptoms), you should get these tests done.
I suggest you to follow up with your gynecologist as you need antimicrobials like metronidazole or tinidazole which are available by prescription. You may also need antihistaminics for the allergy and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs to relieve the swelling.
Till that time, follow these simple lifestyle measures:
1) Avoid rough intercourse and use a water based lubricant during intercourse.
2) Wear cotton underwear and avoid douching or using feminine products.
3) Avoid using perfumed soaps and sanitary napkins, bubble baths and toiletries.
4) Change underwear daily, wash underwear in hot water and double rinse (to remove any irritating detergent) and take adequate nutrition and sleep.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting your query.
It is a point to notice that the swollen labia flared up after you had put on the topical Vagisil cream. It has subsided in a day, which denotes a mild inflammation, probably allergic in origin. What you have got is vulvovaginitis which is an inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina. Allergic reaction to commonly used products like soaps, vaginal contraceptives, feminine sprays and creams, bubble baths and scented toilet paper can often cause an inflamed vulva and vagina. The flaking skin is due to the chafed skin after inflammation after an allergic reaction.
The other possibility that I could think of is any bacterial, fungal or yeast infection which is causing these symptoms. A diagnosis of trichomoniasis has already been confirmed by your gynecologist. The characteristic symptom of trichomoniasis infection is a heavy, thick, yellow-green, fishy-smelling discharge from the vagina. The infection can also cause discomfort during sex, vaginal itching and swelling of the vulva and vagina.
Herpes cannot be confirmed as diagnosis without investigations because sometimes patients may be having the herpes virus without any sores on the body. Laboratory tests for herpes include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. So to completely rule out any herpes (although not evident from these symptoms), you should get these tests done.
I suggest you to follow up with your gynecologist as you need antimicrobials like metronidazole or tinidazole which are available by prescription. You may also need antihistaminics for the allergy and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs to relieve the swelling.
Till that time, follow these simple lifestyle measures:
1) Avoid rough intercourse and use a water based lubricant during intercourse.
2) Wear cotton underwear and avoid douching or using feminine products.
3) Avoid using perfumed soaps and sanitary napkins, bubble baths and toiletries.
4) Change underwear daily, wash underwear in hot water and double rinse (to remove any irritating detergent) and take adequate nutrition and sleep.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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