Boil on the Vagina

A boil on the vagina is a pus-filled vesicle that usually arises due to the infected hair follicle. These boils can form on the outer surface of the vagina, either the vulva, labia, or pubic area. Several types of bumps can arise on the vaginal surface due to the moist environment. The humid environment is a happy place for bacteria to grow and cause infection.

A boil on the vagina is painful and tender to touch. It can grow massively but is rarely severe. The vagina is the most delicate area, which may raise concerns among women. Read the article to explore the causes, remedies, and management plans to prevent such painful conditions. It is also important to understand female muscle anatomy, in addition to vaginal anatomy and pathology.

What is a Boil on the Vagina?

A boil on the vagina is the same as a pus-filled bump under the skin of the pubic area. It is also known as a skin abscess or furuncle. It is quite a painful experience for women. Boil mostly occurs when bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus start infecting the sacs on the vaginal skin.

Sometimes, the same Staphylococcus infection causes pimple-like abscesses on various parts of the body. For example, a pimple in the ear can be due to the same cause. Therefore, it is important to take care of every part of the body.

These sacs contain the roots of hair and hair follicles. Infection of the hair follicles is known as folliculitis.

Moreover, a boil on the vagina can also form due to any cut on the skin. Any cut on the vaginal skin due to shaving with a razor can induce infection or may cause a boil. These boils start from a pea size and can grow larger. Eventually, they rupture on their own and drain. A group of boils is known as a carbuncle. It usually arises due to the grouping of multiple boils forming an area of infection.

When talking about vaginal skin, you should also be concerned about other reproductive parts. Is a skin tag on the nipple an alarming sign? Is it cancerous or not? Therefore, you should read the article on skin tags on the nipple in detail.

Boils on the vagina may be confused for herpes because of the similar bump-like appearance. Simple boils are usually not so severe. They heal on their own after some discomfort. But in some cases, these boils on the vagina require proper medical treatment to relieve the pain and infectious symptoms.

What is the Appearance of a Boil on the Vagina?

A boil on the vagina starts appearing as a small red bump. It looks like a small pimple. After this, it continues to develop into a swollen but painful sore filled with pus. Boils start from a small pimple to a large walnut-sized boil. As it grows larger, it may rupture on its own.

What Are the Problems That Can Cause a Boil on the Vagina?

Vaginal boil most commonly occurs because of impacted hair follicles or the infection of these hair follicles. But, many other causes provide a suitable environment for the vaginal boil. Some of these causes are as follows:

Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Staphylococcus aureus is the natural resident on the outer surfaces of our body and nasal opening. If the bacteria get entrapped into the hair follicles surrounding the vagina, it can cause an infection leading to vaginal boil.

Cuts in the Skin

Bacteria can enter into the bloodstream through the cuts on the vagina skin that occur mainly because of shaving or any other injury. These bacteria can easily enter the body and may cause infection.

Irritation

Friction arising through tight clothing can cause minor cuts on the vagina’s skin and make you more prone to infectious agents. Moreover, some obese people have skin folds that can also cause friction and irritation, leading to infection.

Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hair, on its own, does not cause any kind of infection. But, if these ingrown hairs get infected, they may cause infection leading to vaginal boils.

Maintaining Lose Contact

Maintaining close contact, sharing clothes, or reusing towels of a person who is also having a vaginal boil, makes you more prone to induce a vaginal boil.

Insect Bites

Insect bites can also open up the skin barrier and make a way for bacteria to enter the body. It can also cause an infection.

Blocked Bartholin’s Gland

Bartholin’s gland is just a pea-sized gland present near the opening of the vagina. If the ducts associated with this gland get blocked, it may produce cysts or cyst-like growths. These cysts can also get infected leading to the boils on the vagina.

What Are the Symptoms of Boil on the Vagina?

A boil on the vagina may be because of irritation. Once it grows to a larger size, it may become severely painful, indicating a serious infection. Here are some signs and symptoms of a boil in the vagina.

• Swollen, painful, and reddish lump feeling under the skin
• Tender to touch
• Produces white or yellowish pus-filled centers that may burst at their own
• May ooze clear fluid or form a crust over the lump
• Swollen lymph nodes with increased body temperature

What Are the General Risk Factors for Boil on the Vagina?

If you have a history of previous boils on the vagina, it doesn’t make you prone to vaginal boils in the future. But, some risk factors can increase the chances of vaginal boil. These are as follows:

• Rubbing or friction with tight clothes
• Shaving can leave ingrown hair. It may induce vaginal boils.
• Eczema, acne, or other skin-related problems affecting the protective barriers
• Maintaining close contact with a person having a boil.
• Sharing clothes or other items with a person having a boil
• A weak immune system makes you prone to infectious agents

How to Differentiate Simple Vaginal Boil From Herpes Infection?

Mostly, boils heal on their own without causing any problems. But if the infection is severe and painful, you may need to visit your healthcare professionals to get treated. Your physician will go for a physical examination to know the nature of the boil.

It should be quite quick without causing any discomfort. Your physician may ask for a detailed medical history to get to know about the symptoms of herpes. Moreover, some diagnostic tests may also be performed if the boils are not healing independently. If you are having a larger boil causing severe pain, your physician may prescribe you some antibiotics or drain the boil.

How Can We Treat Boils on the Vagina at Home?

Most of the time, vaginal boil heals within a period of one or two weeks. Here are some of the home remedies to treat the painful symptoms of vaginal boil.

• Applying warm compresses on the boil can help you relieve pain. Place a clean, warm, and wet washcloth over the boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat the process up to four times to get the desired results. It improves blood circulation and helps to fight against the infectious agents.
• Wear loose bottoms or undergarments till the boil heals. It will reduce the frictional forces and also the pain.
• Cleaning the vaginal area thoroughly and applying antibiotic ointment can heal the boil quite early. You can also place sterile gauze or adhesive bandage. Change the dressing daily.
• Avoid picking or bursting the vaginal boil. It will spread the bacteria and may cause further infection.
• You can take simple analgesics to relieve the pain.
• After touching or examining the boil, wash your hands properly to prevent transmitting the infection.

If these home remedies don’t work and your vaginal boil still exists, consider an appointment with your gynecologist or physician.

How Long Does It Take for a Boil to Heal?

Usually, the boil heals itself within a period of one to three weeks. Some vaginal boils dry out and disappear in a while. In contrast to this, some vaginal boils continue growing in size and causing severe forms of infection.

If the vaginal boil is larger and doesn’t heal for up to three weeks, make a consultation appointment with your doctor. They will examine the boil properly according to every aspect. Moreover, they will suggest you some antibiotics to deal with the infection. In addition, incision and drainage is also suitable treatment option to get rid of larger vaginal boils.

What Can Be the Complications of Vaginal Boil?

A vaginal boil may lead to some complications. These are as follows:

• Permanent scarring
• Transmission of infection to other parts of the body.
• Skin abscess
• Sepsis like condition
• Infection of the associated organs

When is There a Need to Visit a Doctor Regarding a Boil in the Vagina?

Boils on the vagina usually do not need any medical management because they can heal on their own. But, if the vaginal boil doesn’t heal within one week and grows in size with worsening conditions, make an appointment with your doctor for treatment. Here are some associated symptoms that may guide you regarding the appointment with your doctor. If you are having these symptoms with vaginal boil, seek medical care immediately.

• Fever
• The skin surrounding the boil is hot and severely painful.
• There is a recurrent history of vaginal boils.
• Multiple boils combined to form a carbuncle
• Chills or cold sweating
• Bump larger than 2 inches
• Bumps that do not heal within one to two weeks

If boils do not heal or multiple boils keep on occurring, there must be some underlying problems causing the boil in the vagina. Your doctor may have two primary treatment options to deal with such kinds of vaginal boils. Here are as follows:

Incision and drainage – An extremely painful and larger boil may require an incision and drainage treatment plan. Boils with severe infection may need two visits to completely drain the infection. Don’t pop the boil on its own. Visit your doctor for the sterilization process to prevent any recurrent infections.

Antibiotic course – Recurrent and severe infections require proper antibiotics to get rid of the bacterial pathogens. Your doctor may suggest antibiotics after incision and drainage to minimize the chances of further infection.

How to Prevent the Recurrence of the Boil on the Vagina?

Prevention is better management rather than dealing with prolonged infection. You can also get a disease even after following the preventive protocols. But, here are some best ways to protect yourself from these kinds of infections.

• It is better to trim the pubic hair rather than shaving or cutting with some sharp scissors. Sharp instruments can leave minor cuts on the vagina skin and make an entry point for the bacteria to develop an infection.
• If you prefer to choose to shave, follow the hygiene protocols. Change your razor frequently as the older or dull razors can leave ingrown hairs, causing an infection.
• Don’t share your personal items with any other person. It increases the chance of an infection.
• Use a shaving lotion or some moisturizing cream before shaving the pubic hair. Dry shaving also increases the chances of minor cuts and infections.
• Shave in the direction of pubic hair to prevent any ingrown hair.
• Gently exfoliate your vagina skin to remove dead skin and ingrown hairs.
• If you have a vaginal boil and your doctor prescribed you antibiotics, follow the complete doses till your boil is completely healed.
• Wash your hands properly before and after you touch your genital area to prevent any kind of infection.

Conclusion

Dealing with the boil on such a delicate area is quite a painful experience. These boils can arise on any part of the body. The most common cause of boiling in the vagina is infected hair follicles. The infectious agent is usually Staphylococcus aureus.

The vaginal boils usually heal within one to two weeks on their own. Sometimes, it needs medical management because of worsening symptoms. Your doctor may suggest antibiotics or provide some immediate treatment to relieve you from pain or other symptoms.

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