Vaginal irritation...advice??

I started developing irritations in the vaginal area when I was 21. I get inflammation on my labia (major) when I get a yeast infection, or if I have a reaction to soaps. I don't use soap in that area anymore. However, I just broke out with another irritation. This time I looked at it with a mirror and freaked myself out (I usually never look down there). My labia was inflamed and itchy (possibly due to new detergent). I started thinking it was herpes. However, when I used hydrocortizone cream the inflammation was gone in 2 days and now it looks like a typical healing rash like anywhere else on my body (I have sensitive skin). There is no scabbing, ulcerations and no pain whatsoever. The itching is gone. Could this have been an atypical herpes outbreak or just me freaking out? (I had the irritation looked at before when I had a reaction and the doctor said it was only irritation).