Swollen labia - no sex in 1 year so not a UTI

For the last month I have had a swollen labia as well as I notice it hangs but I figure that was just from weight gain from an unrelated operation I had (22 lbs of fluid was on me and all the fluid pooled in the lowest part when I was sitting in bed all day or propped up in the hospital bed). Anyway my main concern is the redness. It is itchy but I know it is only itchy because it is irritated as it is red, sensitive and a little wet, like this part is supposed to be inside and isn't used to being exposed to outside air (kinda like hemorrhoids if you have ever had them).  I have used anti-itch cream but it only helped a little as it was only a short time relief and not helping the unknown cause. I realized that the sensitive and slightly wet redness needed to be dried so I bought feminine powder and that did help a lot and it cleared up. But now it has become red again and almost as sensitive. I don't want the rest of my life to be this way. I have way too many other things to worry about. I feel like this part is not supposed to be outside of my body but it is and that is why it is sensitive. It this normal with age? I have never had children. No sex in a year.