Anti-inflammatory drugs as potential antimicrobial agents: a review

Is That Bump On Your Vaginal Lips Harmless? A Gynecologist Reveals How To Spot A Boil — And What To Do If You Find One

Whenever you find something out of the ordinary below the belt, it's normal to be alarmed. But, if the red, painful lump you discovered is a vaginal boil, you can probably relax. Vaginal boils aren't a symptom of cancer or a sexually transmitted disease. In fact, these benign bumps are just hair follicles or small cuts that got infected. And with a little home treatment, they usually disappear on their own.

However, a vaginal boil shouldn't be ignored. Just like with any infection, there's a chance it could worsen. Plus, without proper precautions, you can accidentally spread it to other parts of your body or to someone else.

Here, we break down how to find out if that bump in your groin is a vaginal boil — and share the dermatologist-approved ways to treat it at home.

What is a vaginal boil?

A vaginal boil (also known as a skin abscess or furuncle) is an infection in the skin in the genital area. It often starts off as a small bump, then grows bigger, turns red and gets inflamed. "As the boil worsens, it becomes more painful with a yellow pus-filled center," says women's sexual health expert Sherry Ross, MD, author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Intimate Health. Period. (Buy from Amazon.Com, $16.99) "Ultimately, it can ooze out, crust over, or rupture."

A small boil that's developed a pus-filled centerFCG/Shutterstock

Where do vaginal boils develop?

Even though they're referred to as 'vaginal' boils, these abscesses actually grow on the skin outside the vagina. So, you'll find them on the labia (lips of the vagina), in the pubic region (where pubic hair grows) or in the vulvar area around your vagina. You may also find them in the skin folds of the groin. But, they don't actually develop inside the vagina.

"The vagina is the inner canal that leads toward the cervix and uterus," explains board-certified gynecologist Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, author of Menopause Bootcamp (Buy from Amazon.Com, $16.48) "If a pimple-like tender bump appears inside the vagina, it may be an impacted or infected local gland, such as the Bartholin's, that normally produces secretions."

How vaginal boils differ from other growths

"It can be challenging to know the difference between a vaginal pimple, sebaceous cyst, or vulva boil," says Dr. Ross. But, if you grab a mirror and take a close look, there are clues.

When boils cluster together, they form what's known as a carbuncleandriano.Cz/Shutterstock

Boils are painful red, swollen bumps that can range in size from a cherry pit to a walnut. Some can get even as large as a golf ball. The bigger they grow, the more discomfort you'll likely experience. "A cyst and pimple of the vulva are not typically as painful, swollen, red, or as large as a boil," Dr. Ross explains.

Have two or more red, swollen, painful bumps clustered together? They can still be vaginal boils. That's because boils can develop in groups, causing a connected area of infection under your skin, which is called a carbuncle.

With herpes simplex virus (HSV), a viral sexual transmitted infection (STI), you'd look for other signs. "Symptoms include tingling or itching sensations in the area where painful, small, cluster blisters open and develop into ulcerations," explains Dr. Ross. "Unlike boils, herpes blisters are a STI, more widespread, ulcerative and reoccur. Stress, fever, colds, illness, sunburn and even a period can trigger a herpes outbreak, but cannot cause a boil."

Rashes caused by the herpes simplex virus are composed of a lot of little bumps and look very different than a boilAlexandra Harashchenko/Shutterstock

Are you seeing black spots on your vaginal lips? Click through to our sister publication's story Should You Be Worried About Dark Spots on Your Vagina?

What causes vaginal boils?

"Boils usually develop when bacteria collect around the hair follicles on the vulva," says  integrative gynecologist Tara Scott, MD, Medical Director of Revitalize Medical Group/Forum Health Akron. "A lump forms and it fills with pus, causing swelling and inflammation."

Typically, the culprit infecting the hair follicle is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (commonly referred to as "staph"). A vaginal boil can also develop from a cut or abrasion in the skin, for example, while shaving or from an injury to that area. Staph bacteria will enter the wound through the skin and cause an infection that spurs a boil.

T-K-M/Shutterstock

Can they spread to other parts of the body or other people?

Vaginal boils themselves are not contagious. "But the bacteria that causes the infection can spread to other parts of the body and to other people if proper hygiene is not practiced," Dr. Ross cautions.

"Touching the boil with your hands can pass the bacterial infection to other parts of the body or to someone else," she says. "Keeping the affected area clean, washing hands with soap and warm water, and not sharing towels should be followed to prevent spreading the infection."

What makes you more prone to developing vaginal boils?

Any woman can develop a boil in her genital area. However, some women are more likely to develop them than others. These include women who:

Have a weakened immune system (including those with neutrophil disoders)

Live in hot, humid climates

Because vaginal boils can happen due to a break in the skin, shaving and waxing may also raise your risk.

Can they clear on their own?

"Boils can clear on their own, but it depends on their severity," Dr. Ross states. "A small boil can improve within 7 to 14 days without medical intervention."

As part of the recovery process, the boil reaches a point where it ruptures by itself, which releases the pus. Sometimes, the fluid doesn't come out, but instead gets broken down inside the abscess. Unfortunately, not all vaginal boils will disappear by themselves. "Symptomatic and persistent boils require medical treatment to allow proper healing," notes Dr. Ross.

The best way to treat vaginal boils at home

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you can reduce pain and support the healing of a vaginal boil by applying heat with a warm compress. Simply soak a clean washcloth in hot water (being careful to avoid high temperatures that can cause burns). Hold the compress to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times daily, until the boil releases pus and heals. If the pain or swelling of your boil worsens, another boil appears, or you develop a fever or other symptoms, contact your doctor.

Resist the urge to pop it!

Most vaginal boils will eventually erupt on their own and the pus be released. Or, the fluid will be absorbed by the body and the swelling will go down. But there's one thing you should never do with a vaginal boil as its healing: Don't try to drain the fluid yourself by popping it.

"Unfortunately, many people will attempt to 'squeeze' the affected area to move treatment along," Dr. Ross explains. "Attempting to squeeze a boil is the worst thing you can do since it will inflame and aggravate this bacterial infection."

The result is that you'll experience more pain and prolong the healing time. Worse yet, opening a boil yourself by squeezing or cutting it might spread the staph bacteria in your body along the blood or lymph vessels. A sign of this kind of complication to look for are red streaks leading away from the boil. Lymph nodes near your groin could also become inflamed and tender.

When should you see a doctor?

Vaginal boils are a common condition, but most clear up on their own. In fact, only about 3 in 100 patients who visit a doctor about a skin infection are seeking help for a boil anywhere on their body. But, though rare, boils can become serious and require medical intervention. Here are some signs to look for to know it's time to visit your doctor:

Your vaginal boil isn't going away within 2 weeks

Your vaginal boil grows larger and more painful, impacting everyday activities

Your vaginal boil doesn't appear any smaller or feel less painful after several days of at-home treatment

You develop more than one vaginal boil

Your vaginal boil goes away, then returns

Your lymph nodes become swollen and tender

You notice red streaks branching out from your vaginal boil

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system for any reason and develop a vaginal boil, it's also wise to tell your healthcare provider.

How doctors diagnose vaginal boils

Your doctor will start out by examining the vaginal boil and asking you to describe your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may also swab the pus from your vaginal boil so it can be tested in a laboratory to confirm what kind of bacteria are causing the infection. This way, if your doctor determines that you need antibiotics, she or he will know which are likely to be most effective.

If you have a high risk of complications or your boils are a recurrent problem, your doctor may also request blood tests. This helps determine if the infection has spread or if you have a medical condition that increases your risk of boils returning.

Easy ways to reduce your risk of a future flare up

Some risk factors for vaginal boils can't be avoided, like health conditions that leave you immunocompromised. However, there are ways to reduce your chances of developing a vaginal boil that you can control. These include:

Cleaning your genital area with antibacterial soap to decrease the build-up of boil-causing bacteria

Replacing razors frequently

Changing your underwear and leggings after exercising and when sweating on hot, humid days

Considering losing excess weight so that bacteria can't lurk in skin folds

Avoiding shared soap, washcloths, towels or other items that touch your genital area

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Woman's World aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Questions? Reach us at shop@womansworld.Com

Boils On Your Vagina: How To Beat Painful Bumps

 If you have a painful bump in your pubic regions, it could be a boil. Boils usually:

Are painful 

Have a pus filled tip

Can be small or up to two inches wide

Are red or purple 

Eventually rupture on their own, resulting in pus drainage

A boil will typically show up on the pubic mound or the outer labia on the vulva, says Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, board-certified OB-GYN and Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. This is because they're most common in areas that grow hair. 

Boils on the vulva can start out small but grow to become more swollen and filled with pus as the infection goes on, causing a lot of discomfort. 

Here are the causes of vagina boils as well as how to treat and prevent them.

The causes of vaginal boils

Most commonly, boils are caused by the bacterial infection staphylococcus, aka staph, says Gaither. 

Your skin contains a certain amount of staph bacteria naturally, which is harmless. The issue arises if it gets into an open oil gland or hair follicle, which can cause an infection, resulting in an inflamed pus-filled boil, says Gaither. 

There are various risk factors that can contribute to the formation of a boil due to staph, including:

Ingrown hairs from removing your pubic hair (shaving or waxing)

Wearing underwear or clothing that's too tight

Not cleaning the genital area enough

Having a weakened immune system

Trauma to the skin including injuries, bug bites, or acne

Having skin-to-skin contact with someone who had a boil 

Being obese

Treatment for vaginal boils

The course of treatment depends on the severity of your boil, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, board-certified OB-GYN at Yale Medicine. 

Some home remedies for treating a boil include:

Soaking in a bath or using warm compresses to try to get the boil to drain

Keeping the vaginal area clean

Use an antibacterial wash to kill bacteria on the skin's surface

Avoiding tight fitting underwear or clothing 

Taking over-the-counter pain meds, such as Advil or Tylenol

Avoiding picking at the boil, as this can potentially worsen infection and pain. 

It can take one to three weeks for a boil to completely heal, but Minkin says you will usually see some improvement in two to three days, with the boil becoming less painful and swollen. 

If home remedies don't do the trick, Minkin says antibiotics may be prescribed to clear up the infection. In other cases, your doctor might make a small cut to drain the boil and drain the pus out.

Minkin says that you should see a doctor as soon as possible if:

Your boil isn't improving at all after three days

The boil is getting much bigger and redder 

You have a fever

These could be the signs of a worsening infection, says Minkin. In very rare cases, if the boil is left untreated, the bacteria from it can travel through your blood and cause a serious infection called sepsis.

Since boils are contagious, it's important to take precautions to prevent spreading the bacteria to others or to other parts of your body. Minkin suggests taking these measures:

Avoiding any sexual contact while the boil is present

Avoiding sharing personal items such as towels 

Avoiding touching the boil and then touching another part of your, or someone else's, body

Preventing vaginal boils

There isn't a surefire way to prevent boils, particularly if you are immunocompromised and at higher risk for infections.

However, whether or not you are immunocompromised, you can reduce your risk and help prevent boils with some of the following lifestyle changes:

Keeping your genital area clean to prevent bacteria buildup

Changing underwear that's sweaty or dirty 

Washing your hands before touching your genitals to prevent introducing new bacteria 

Avoiding contact or sharing items with someone who has a boil

Losing weight if you are obese and if your doctor advises it

You may also need to change your hair removal habits to prevent ingrown hairs. This can include using sharp razors and shaving cream, exfoliating before shaving, and shaving with the direction of hair growth.

Taking these steps won't guarantee that you'll never have a vagina boil again, but it can certainly help reduce your risk.

Insider's takeaway

A vaginal boil is typically caused by bacteria that makes its way into your follicles, which may be a result of anything from poor hygiene to shaving to having contact with someone else with a boil. 

While they can be uncomfortable and painful, boils will typically fully resolve on their own within three weeks or less. If your boil is not getting smaller despite your home-care, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics and/or drain the boil for relief. 

I'm Having Tiny Boil-like Things On My Vaginal Lip

Dear Mrs. Adeola, I am a girl of 13 and I have 3 questions to ask. I started my menses January/February this year. My blood smelt like urine for four days. Second, there are tiny boil-like things on my vaginal lip. Please is it an infection? Third, there are white fluids always discharged from my vaginal. Please if this is an infections what is the cure?

Dear Teenager, you may or may not have an infection, but when cases like this come up, my first reaction is always that you seek medical attention. In the case of infection for instance, different cases sometimes have similar symptoms and only laboratory analysis can detect the real cause of such symptoms. Boils on vagina skin or lips can be caused by a number of factors, including: poor hygiene, poor diet, being overweight, or an immune disorder. Most commonly they are caused by ingrown hairs that develop as a result of shaving your vagina. They can also be caused by friction, created by wearing underthings that are too tight or that are made of synthetic materials that don't allow the groin to get enough air. Finally, if you are a regular exerciser, moisture can get trapped between your workout clothes and your skin, allowing bacteria to grow into vaginal boils.

How To Treat Them: Treating vaginal boils requires that you keep the area as dry and free from friction as possible. Switch to cotton panties if you don't already wear them, and be sure to change them frequently -at least once a day and more if you are sweating or working out. If you use pads or liners during your monthly period, be sure you are changing them frequently throughout the day to prevent moisture and bacteria from building up. If you shave, add daily exfoliation to your routine. A dry brush swiped several times over the shaved area will keep dead skin cells sloughed off and prevent ingrown hairs.

Getting Relief From The Symptoms: Let's face it – there isn't much you can do to avoid a little friction in this area, and your skin is probably hyper-sensitive if you are suffering an outbreak of vaginal boils. First, get a homeopathic spray that contains hepar sulphar.

This all-natural ingredient helps to calm skin sensitivity, and reduces pain and swelling. Next, apply a warm compress to the area several times a day. This should help you bring the infection to a head. Remember, this is a highly contagious infection, and you need to be extremely careful when it starts to drain. Use antibacterial wipes to clean the drained fluid away, and then swap the area with hydrogen peroxide.

---