What Causes Swelling And Redness In The Vagina?

Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014

Question: Hello, A week ago I noticed my vagina was swollen and a bit sore, red, burning but tolerable. On a daily check the swelling had gone down in two days and the coloring was back to normal in some areas but still red in others. so it appeared to be getting better. That was the past 6 days... Now Yesterday morning I saw more pink than red and was starting to feel relieved but by evening Time I did a recheck and noticed that everything even inside now was all red and still just burns but oddly no discomfort when urination. I have no other symptoms and have had the same sexual partner for yrs. I also have no stds! I'm not sure if what I'm about to say is related or not but I have to believe it may Is... My husband had a irritation on a saturday and we had sex on Tuesday morning by that night just as he thought his irritation was jock itch. we know this for sure because he works at the hospital as an ER NP and of course he had showed all his friends thinking he could have picked up something at the hospital. So he has been diagnosed several times. So 4 days after we had sex is when this started for me so I assumed it was fungal even tho he told me it wasn't likely but could be slight possibility . So I have been using triamcinolone 0.1% cream for a week, I thought it was helping but I guess not.. Could this be a yeast infection? I'm just red, raw and burning..... What could this be...

Answered by Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: May be infection or allergy Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for choosing HCM, I understand your issue. The picture shows that the swelling is not so much but redness is there. There are a few possibilities in this case. 1. Infection: This may be due to any organism ranging from fungi to bacteria. Gonoccoci, chlamydia, trichomonas also commonly cause infections, followed by yeasts and many more. They usually give rise to burning redness and some discharge. Please check if you have any discharge. 2. Another possibility is allergy: may happen to talcs or powders or personal hygiene products or condoms. I suggest that as of now stop to use such products if you have been using them for a while. Triamcinolone would have helped in this case. 3. Sometimes an alteration in the normal vaginal bacteria due to excessive use of hygiene products or medicines also leads to overgrowth of other bacteria producing infection like symptoms. I would test the vaginal swabs for infection as it is easier to treat if the exact cause is known. Your local doctor will know about this test. I would use triple ointments like surfaz SN instead of triamcnolone after leaving the swab samples for tests. It helps control fungal bacterial as well as allergic symptoms and must be used after consulting a health care provider. Besides the antimicrobial agents, drugs to control inflammation like ketorolac or aspirin may be used after meals to decrease swelling and redness. Cetrizine helps in allergic reactions. I suggest that you stop using triamcinolone as it is a steroid. It may reduce inflammation but if there is an infection, it may help in bacterial overgrowth if used alone. Also it is a common reaction to try and clean the part repeatedly if infection is suspected. Please do not do this as it may cause soreness and also help in altering the normal flora aggravating things. Just clean the part twice daily with warm water containing few drops of antiseptic solution and XXXXXXX dry. Change the undergarments twice daily at least and wash them with hot water to help decrease reinfection. I do understand that you must be in discomfort. Better see a doctor and get evaluated so that early treatment can be formulated. I am always here to help you in any further queries. Feel free to ask. Have a good day. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Ob Gyn

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (15 hours later)

Hello and thank you for your quick response. I do not have any discharge. This has been present for 8 days now. Has went from swollen, peeling red back to not swollen pink then red again. Thursday and Friday I was starting to feel a bit more omfortable.. So, let me explain a few more things. On day 2or 3 I soaked in a hot bath. When I checked after drying off I noticed that the skin on the inner labia was white and I had small bright red spots so I rubbed the area and noticed it was a layer of skin that was peeling off and this occurred on both sides. The area that peeled was about a half inch in width and in length. After the initial peeling it hasn't happened again. I seem to want to take a hot bath and wondering if maybe this is the wrong thing to do. I feel beeter after taking a hot bath but i believe it may be irritating... I am very sensitive to everything....As far as the triamcinolone cream I stopped using this on Friday only because I thought maybe it wasn't helping but after 2 days of not using it as of last night, (which was most irritated) I used a lot of it thru the night and I woke much more comfortable so perhaps I was wrong. I was maybe worried I got jock itch, exzema or possibly allergic to semen. Could any of these be a possibility? Other than that I have no idea. I will wain another week to see my doctor if by then it hasnt cleared up. I had a chemical burn about 6 months ago that felt the same but on a much higher level of pain. I sat in a tub at my aunts that was cleaned with scrubbing bubbles but had not been rinsed out properly. Since then I don't believe my skin has healed properly and tears easily. I was told I could develope exzema from that? But that really makes no sense to me. Is that possible? I'm am just all over the place with this thinking this and thinking that! I have never had any unexplained issues in ths area......

Answered by Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: May be allergy or hot water. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome back, I am sorry for the late reply but I had to rush for an emergency surgery. I completely understand your concern. From the description the causes may be numerous. You do not seem to have so much pain but more of burning and soreness. It seems that you have developed a scald. The best way to treat it is by using placentrex ointment morning evening along with mixed antibiotic ointment [ surfaz SN] or if it is not available nitrofuratoin powder at noon and night and keep it open to let it dry. Allergy seems to be the most common cause and even hot water or soap. But it may be infection. The above drugs will help in all the cases and it will heal. So do not worry. Do not use excessive triamcinolone, it may cause secondary infection. Also excessive washing will lead to more peeling and excoriations. Just use the above drugs till next week. It will heal before that. Hope this was helpful. Sorry again for the late reply. Dr Madhuri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (26 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply and where can I get these medications listed above?

Answered by Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Suggested some local brands. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, You can get it any any local pharmacy. I was searching for local brand names and one is Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment Original or Walgreens Triple Antibiotic Ointment that can be used instead of surfaz if you do not get surfaz. You can use any ointment that combines an antibiotic with anti fungal and preferably a steroid as it will help in all conditions. Placental extract is is also available in many pharmacies. The commonest brand is placentrex. http://www.unitedpharmacies.com/Placentrex-Cream-Nitrogen-Human-Placental-Extract.html is the website where you may get it online. If you are unable to get placental extract do not worry just keep the area open during night and use triamcinolone once a day with above ointment. I hope this answered your query. Thanks and have a good day. Dr Madhuri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (15 hours later)

Thank you!!!

Answered by Dr. Madhuri N Bagde (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: The pleasure is mine. Detailed Answer: You are welcome. It's a pleasure answering your queries. Thanks and have a good day. Dr Madhuri

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad