is it a bad idea to treat a yeast infection whil on your period? will it make treatment less effective or is it just a matter of messy-ness?

i recently moved (to an area with a MUCH hotter climate) and started my period the day i arrived. i use pads so i'm thinking everything got too hot/sweaty/mixed with menstrual fluid...(gross, i know) because after my period i noticed what looks like a rash, with some itching. now i figured it was just irritated from the previous conditions, and since my period was over i thought if i just left it alone, it would go away.

lo and behold, i am almost due for my next period, and it is starting to get out of control. at first it was just mild redness, itching around the vulva. now it looks like its getting worse. i have a slight increase i discharge...i think...but there is no odor. is this even a yeast infection at all?!

i'm starting my period in a day so now i'll have to wait until after its over to see a doctor (that i don't have since i just moved out of state and have no insurance...) i'm kind of worried that it will get alot worse now, the second time around incubating in a pad...

i picked up some acidophilus and applied it directly in the general area to promote general health i guess...i didn't want to use a medicated treatment since i've never had a yeast infection before, and am not entirely sure what i have. so should i try an over the counter yeast treatment or try to survive it until i can find a gyn to look at it?