Redness and skin peeling around the vaginal and anal area

Hey.
Quick question. I'm looking for some advice because I’ll be without health insurance for another two weeks.
I noticed an infection—looks like a dark red rash around the vaginal opening and extending toward the anus. Since it showed up on the first day of my period, I assumed it was just friction from a pad or something similar. It started with some mild stinging and itching. Nothing major at first.
Fast forward two days: the "rash" is swollen and the skin is starting to peel at the edges. That's when I started panicking. 😢
The timing is just great. Over the last month, I finished a week-long course of antibiotics (about two weeks ago) for a pilonidal cyst incision. It likely flared up after I stopped taking hormonal contraceptives for a short break to see how my body handles things, per my OBGYN's suggestion. The inflammation happened right during ovulation.
So, this popped up right when I had my first period in four years without birth control. Also, the day before my period started, I had sex with my boyfriend; we used a condom. During penetration, I felt a sharp pain in the perineum area.
Discharge seems normal for day 3 or 4 of my cycle. No significant changes there, and it doesn't hurt when I pee. My boyfriend has no symptoms.
Yesterday, I put some baby powder on the area and the redness went down a bit, but I don't want to mess around with this. :/
My hygiene is consistent. I use a pH-balanced cleanser and haven't changed any habits. This is my first infection ever. I'm 23.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

It’s probably candida. That’s exactly what happened to me after I finished that round of antibiotics. I ended up getting a prescription for Travocort cream, but only after seeing a dermatologist first.

Thanks, analogbison13. I was doing more digging on Google yesterday and finally realized that's what this is all about. 🙂 But since those meds and creams the girls were using were actually formulated for the US market, this info is pretty huge for me.

Just make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Once you start feeling better, stick with either Plymicol or a Johnson & Johnson cream for at least another seven days 😉 (so this thing doesn't come crawling right back)

I started using Johnson & Johnson vaginal suppositories and cream. Finished my second pill yesterday (one left for tonight), and I'm applying the cream morning and night. Woke up today with a heavy, cottage cheese-like discharge 😢
. Is this a good sign or a bad one? Not sure if three pills will actually cut it. On the bright side, now I'm 100% certain it's a yeast infection.