[Question #6172] Yeast rash?

70 months ago

Hello again. I am having the same symptoms I was a year and a half ago and would like your opinion. Wednesday evening in the shower I noticed that I had some dots on my vulva. Upon further inspection when I dried off, I realized there were easily 20 dots or more covering my vulva on labia majora and clitoris. They were each the size of a single foredyce spot, singular and spread out, and appeared as an inflamed papule. None of them hurt. No blisters, no clusters. Just singular dots. Still, I immediately went to my GP.

Upon inspection she said that my vulva appeared to be irritated, but otherwise she found nothing abnormal. While the irritation was strictly covering the vulva (not the pubic area) she stated that most of the irritation appeared to be follicular. She performed a pelvic exam and stated I had normal cervical mucus, no signs of yeast or bacteria, and also no lesions on the cervix. She said “nothing is concerning me right now. The area is irritated most likely due to friction from sex.” I did have sex two days prior and was sore afterwards. I also wore tight pants the day I noticed the irritation. I explained to her my severe fear of herpes as I am diagnosed OCD and it is known that my main OCD focus and paranoia is herpes related. I asked her if this was herpes and she said no. I asked her if she thought this was herpes if she would swab test and she said “absolutely.” She diagnosed me with dermatitis and told me to call her if I experienced burning or curdy discharge associated with yeast. This was Wednesday evening.

Thursday there was not much change, but by Friday morning the dots began clearing up a bit; however, I began having itchy discharge and the inside of my labia minora became red and stung when touched. By Friday evening, upon inspection, I found tiny white patches of yeast growing inside my vaginal opening:l that I was able to scrape off/away: same as last time. I immediately applied Monistat to the affected area as well as the dots on my vulva, within hours the dots began to clear and the redness toned down a bit. Saturday morning the dots are almost entirely gone.

To review the timeline...

10/16-Wednesday evening: 20 or more tiny dots

10/17-Friday morning: Some of the tiny dots were gone

Friday evening: red vag opening, itchiness

Today, Saturday 10/18 (after yeast treatment): dots almost gone completely, redness decreased-no burning

I tested for HSV 2 on three different occasions: 2013 and in 2014 (with no sex partners since 2013) and then once a month into my current relationship in 2017. All came back negative for HSV2. My boyfriend and I have been together since 2017. We live together. He has not officially been tested for herpes that we know, but has been tested for STD’s in the past with negative results.

Do my symptoms (mostly the dots) sound at all like they could be herpes or is it your opinion that this is more likely caused by yeast?
Is it common to have this type of “rash” or irritation when having a yeast infection?
Can herpes show up and be almost entirely gone within a 3 day period? (Wednesday night- Saturday morning)
Because I already have cold sores, I know this can’t be GHSV1. Since I tested negative for HSV2 three times after my previous 2 partners, is it safe to say that the only possible way I could have HSV2 would be if my current bf has it asymptotically? I try to logically talk myself down when I have panic attacks by remembering that I have been negative all my life and that the only person I have been with since those tests is my boyfriend who I know and trust and who has never had any signs or symptoms of herpes whatsoever

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

70 months ago

I'm so sorry you are still worrying but I will be happy to address your concerns

Do my symptoms (mostly the dots) sound at all like they could be herpes or is it your opinion that this is more likely caused by yeast?

Far more likely yeast, for sure

Is it common to have this type of “rash” or irritation when having a yeast infection?
It is common to have this type of rash with yeast. It sounds to me like you were just starting to get a yeast infection when you went in to see your doc and then it "bloomed" into something more over the next few days.
Can herpes show up and be almost entirely gone within a 3 day period? (Wednesday night- Saturday morning)
NO
Because I already have cold sores, I know this can’t be GHSV1. Since I tested negative for HSV2 three times after my previous 2 partners, is it safe to say that the only possible way I could have HSV2 would be if my current bf has it asymptotically? I try to logically talk myself down when I have panic attacks by remembering that I have been negative all my life and that the only person I have been with since those tests is my boyfriend who I know and trust and who has never had any signs or symptoms of herpes whatsoever

You are absolutely correct in this statement. Plus these symptoms sound nothing like herpes to me. Does your partner use condoms? Do you think you could be sensitive to latex, if he does?

Terri

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70 months ago

I feel so at ease knowing this kind of irritation rash is common with yeast. Thank you for clarifying that. I have experienced about 3 confirmed yeast infections since summer 2018 two of which I experienced the irritation dots I described. When I expressed my concern for the amount of yeast infections I’ve been experiencing, my GP was not concerned stating that they are very common and that anything can throw off my vaginal ph.

My boyfriend and I do not use condoms and the majority of times we are intimate, I am just fine. I clean up immediately afterwards and take a daily probiotic; however, I find that when I do experience a yeast infection it always occurs within a few days to a week after we have had intercourse that either left me sore and swollen (due to lack of lubrications after an extended time) combined with oral sex.

My bf enjoys performing oral sex on me but I do not enjoy it because I have come to experience yeast infections afterwards. He has a beard and is also a smoker so, while he is a very hygiene-conscious person, I believe it is the beard/mouth bacteria that is causing the yeast to overgrow.

Could the combination of oral sex, intercourse, and the toughness from the beard be a cause of my recurrent yeast infections?
Prior to my current boyfriend, I have not had yeast infections, or any kind of irritation like the dots associated with it, in the past that I’ve noticed. I have had multiple yeast infections since being with my partner. I think this is why I have been so concerned about herpes. Any time I experienced these dot symptoms (with the exception of one time when I only had two dots and was itchy and I self treated with yeast cream and it went away in two-3 days) I was evaluated by my GP who was not concerned about herpes at all and who diagnosed me with a yeast infection. This time she said it was dermatitis. I have also consulted you when I had the dots (now and 14 months ago) Based on the evaluation of my GP, in addition to your personal expertise can I be assured that, despite the “recurring” infections, what I am experiencing is very likely yeast and I shouldn’t be worried it is herpes?
Lastly, my partner is adamant he does not have herpes. He was tested for “everything” awhile ago and was negative, but I know that herpes is not always included in those tests. Most if not all of his past encounters have been protected, and the ones that weren’t were because he was in monogamous relationships. He has also never shown any signs and symptoms. Based on this information, and the statistics you have on asymptomatic carriers, how likely is it really that he would not know if he was infected? He has no insurance at the moment and I just want to accept his declaration that he is clean so I can stop worrying all the time. I trust him completely, I just have severe OCD.

69 months ago

Hello,

I really hope this doesn’t count at my third post, because I do have a remaining question pending your response to my last post. I was just checking that this post was received because it has been 5 days since my last question.

Thanks!

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

69 months ago

1, I think that is possible, yes. And he may have some bacteria in his mouth that for some reason is causing your problems - normal for him, not for you?

2. I think it is highly unlikely that this is herpes. You've been seen by your doctor when this happens and I would think if there were any concerns that this was herpes, they would tell you. Did you have a negative IgG test?

3. I think it would be completely reasonable to ask that he check to see if his testing included herpes, as often STD screens do not. You are entitled to know this, in my opinion. Why would he object to asking for those records? And if he has not been tested, you could pay for the test for him if you are really worried. Does that seem reasonable to you?

Terri

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69 months ago

Thank you!

All of my previous IGG tests have been negative, yes. Last test I had was a month into my current relationship and that was also negative. I haven’t had a new test since because my providers weren’t concerned about herpes when I was evaluated.

I agree with all you said and I feel assured that what I’ve been experiencing is yeast.

I accept both my GP’s evaluation and your expertise and will no longer be concerned about herpes. I trust my partner more than my OCD. In the future, should I experience different symptoms I will be sure to follow your advice and follow up with my partner on his previous testing.

Thank you so much for all of your insight and help!

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

69 months ago

that's the perfect plan. I'll always be here for you.

Terri

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