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A vaginal boil can feel concerning, especially when it develops in a sensitive area or fills with pus.
Despite the name, a vaginal boil usually refers to a boil on the external genital area, such as the vulva, labia, or pubic area, rather than inside the vagina.
Other types of bumps can look similar, so it’s important to find out what’s causing them.
Keep reading to learn about eight possible causes, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), as well as treatment options and home care tips.
A vaginal boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops under the skin in the genital area, usually when bacteria infect a hair follicle or enter a small break in the skin. Vaginal boils can occur outside the vagina on the labia, vulva, pubic area, or nearby groin folds.
A pus-filled bump can develop on the vulva, which is the genital area outside the vagina and includes the labia — the skin folds around the vaginal opening. Vaginal boils may start small, then become larger, swollen, and more painful over a few days.
A vaginal boil may:
A boil and a pimple can be hard to tell apart at first because a boil may start as a small bump that looks like a pimple or razor burn. A boil is usually deeper, more painful, and more likely to develop a pus-filled center as it grows.
A pimple on the labia or another small genital bump may have a different cause, such as an ingrown hair, razor irritation, a cyst, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
If a bump is very painful, keeps coming back, drains pus, or doesn’t improve, a healthcare provider can help determine whether it’s a boil or an ongoing condition like HS.
There are many reasons you might develop a pus-filled bump near your vagina, and it may be hard to tell what’s causing it on your own.
That’s why it’s important to get medical attention when you notice concerning symptoms on your genitals.
Below are eight potential causes that your doctor might consider.
A bacterial infection is a common cause of boils. Most boils are caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph), a type of bacteria that can live on the skin and inside the nose. When bacteria get into a hair follicle or broken skin, pus can collect under the skin and form a painful lump.
An ingrown hair can cause a boil-like bump, especially after shaving, waxing, or tweezing. Ingrown hairs commonly appear in the pubic area and may cause pain, itching, discoloration, or a small bump with a hair in the center.
An ingrown hair isn’t the same as a boil. However, if an ingrown hair becomes infected, the bump may get bigger, become more painful, and develop pus.
Tight clothing may contribute to boils in the groin area. Friction, heat, and trapped moisture can irritate the vulva and lead to inflamed skin.
To help reduce irritation, wear pants and underwear that aren’t tight-fitting, choose underwear with a cotton panel, and change out of wet or sweaty clothing when you can.
The staph bacteria that cause many vaginal boils can spread through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items, such as a towel or clothes, with someone who has a boil.
Not every genital bump is contagious. However, if a boil is draining, avoid sharing items that touch the area, and wash your hands before and after touching or caring for the bump.
Some vaginal bumps can be a symptom of an STI. If you’re worried that vaginal bumps might be related to sexual or intimate contact, talk to your doctor about getting tested for an STI.
Small skin injuries can let bacteria enter the skin and lead to a boil. For example, shaving or waxing the bikini line can cause injury to the skin and increase the risk of developing a boil from bacteria entering the hair follicles.
If you shave or groom the pubic area, use clean tools and try to avoid irritating the skin. An old or dull razor may contribute to nicks, irritation, or ingrown hairs.
Diabetes can make it harder for the body to fight skin infections, and a weakened immune system can make someone more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.
A single boil doesn’t usually mean you have an immune problem. If boils keep coming back, especially near the vagina, a healthcare provider may check for an underlying condition or test drainage to identify the bacteria.
HS can cause boil-like lumps in the groin, vulva, and other areas where skin rubs together. HS is not contagious, and it’s not caused by unclean skin.
HS is an inflammatory skin condition. It can cause painful lumps deep in the skin, abscesses that drain blood or pus, scarring, and sinus tracts — tunnels under the skin. If bumps keep returning in the vulvar area, a dermatologist can help determine whether HS is the cause.
If it feels like HS boils switch sides or move around the vaginal region, they may actually be new flares in nearby hair follicles or inflammation in the same general area.
Bartholin glands are small, pea-sized glands located on either side of the vaginal opening. If one becomes blocked, fluid can build up and form a cyst. In some cases, the cyst can become infected and develop into a painful abscess.
STIs can cause bumps, blisters, sores, or warts that may be mistaken for boils. Genital herpes usually causes one or more blisters that break open into painful sores, while genital warts are small bumps or growths caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
You don’t typically get vaginal boils from STIs, but STI-related lesions can look similar at first. Some myHSteam members have been misdiagnosed with herpes before getting an accurate diagnosis.
If you’re worried about a bump after sexual or intimate contact, talk with a healthcare provider about testing.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and how severe the bump is. Many vaginal boils improve with at-home care, but some need medical treatment.
For a boil, a healthcare provider may drain a large or very painful boil. Antibiotics may be needed for some severe or recurring infections. Never squeeze, pop, lance, or cut open a boil yourself, because this can spread infection and make pain worse.
If HS is the cause, treatment for vulvar HS may include:
Home care is important for boils and HS. You may try warm compresses to relieve pain and help a boil drain naturally. Your dermatologist may also recommend certain types of soaps or washes to help your HS lesions.
It’s also important to avoid products or practices that might irritate the area, such as douching, harsh cleansers, or fragrance-heavy products.
See your healthcare provider if the lump is getting bigger, becoming very painful, or not starting to improve after a few days. You should also reach out to your doctor if you develop a fever, chills, spreading discoloration or swelling, or feel generally unwell. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, contact your provider sooner if you think you may have a boil or another skin infection.
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I got these ugly puss filled bumps they’re so painful so when they start protruding out I pop out the pus it’s such a relief in the shower so no more intense pain afterwards I notice these in my… read more
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