Have you ever experienced an unusual bump or pimple in your private area? If so, you are not alone. Vaginal pimples, though not as much talked about as other skin concerns, are a common issue many women face.
Acne can appear anytime and on any part of the body. You may think the face is the most vulnerable to acne and pimples, but the pubic area can develop acne too. It is a distressing and uncomfortable experience for many women, but they are not uncommon.
Few body parts are as sensitive as the female genital area, the vagina. Sometimes, vaginal pimples can appear on the vaginal skin, and it happens due to different reasons.
Although it may not be the most glamorous topic to discuss, we should acknowledge that pimples on private parts can affect many women and that you can treat this issue effectively with proper care and attention.
If you’re dealing with vaginal pimples, don’t be embarrassed – read on to learn more about what causes them and how you can take care of them to alleviate any discomfort and get back to feeling confident and comfortable in your skin.
Let’s understand why vaginal pimples occur and what home remedies are there to treat vaginal acne.
Table of Contents
Vaginal Pimple: What Exactly Is This?
Pimples can appear everywhere on the body, but they’re most prevalent outside the vaginal area, on the labia, or in the pubic area.
A vaginal pimple is a pus-filled mass forming outside the vaginal canal due to a clogged hair follicle or oil gland. It’s just like any other pimple you might get on your face or body, but this one happens to be on your vagina.
These pimples can be red, white, or even black and may be painful or itchy.
What Does a Vaginal Pimple Look Like?
A vaginal pimple can look like a small, raised bump on or around the vaginal area. It may be red or white and can sometimes have a pus-filled center.
Vaginal pimples can be small or grow to be big ones. You may feel other symptoms, such as pain, itching, or swelling.
Vaginal acne is similar to other types of acne, and because it occurs in such a sensitive area, it may cause pain.
You may notice irritation or a red spot in the vaginal area. It happens due to follicular irritation, manifesting as red pimples with pus inside.
Can You Pop the Vaginal Pimple?
Remember, while it may be tempting to pop a pimple, doing so can cause more harm than good. You should resist the urge to pop these pimples because:
It’s Painful
The skin on your vulva is delectable and sensitive. Popping vaginal pimples will be uncomfortable. Picking or squeezing a pimple can cause damage to the skin, leading to more discomfort or even scarring.
Bacteria Can Spread
Popping a pimple can cause the bacteria and pus inside to spread, increasing the risk of infection in the surrounding area. It can cause vaginal pimples to become more painful and difficult to treat.
Causes: Why Do You Develop Vaginal Pimples?
There can be several reasons why you develop vaginal pimples in the first place. Let’s get to know the causes of the pimple in your vaginal area, and let’s see if you can connect to any of them:
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormones can lead to the development of pimples in the genital area. You may get hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, or menopause.
Friction
If you have a habit of wearing tight clothes, please stop doing so!
Clothing that is too tight or rubbing against the skin can cause friction and lead to pimples.
This situation is more common if you exercise or keep wearing tight clothing for an extended period.
Infections
Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can cause pimples to form in the genital area.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes or genital warts can also cause vaginal pimples to form.
Read more about urinary incontinence and how to prevent it.
Blocked Pores
Just like pimples on other parts of the body, blocked pores in the vaginal area can cause these pimples to form.
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs occur when you shave, wax, or pluck pubic hair. According to one study, 32.7 percent of women who removed pubic hair developed ingrown hairs.
When the hair follicle curves downward, the tip curls into the skin, resulting in ingrown hair.
Inflammation, itchy papules and pustules, and hyperpigmentation are all symptoms of a foreign body reaction. That’s why you get vaginal pimples, which may cause irritation and bumpy skin.
Vulvar Cysts
Cysts are fluid-filled pocket-like structures that can form practically anywhere on the body. These cysts look like vaginal pimples.
Although many cysts aren’t harmful, they can occasionally be cancerous or precancerous, so it’s always a good idea to have them examined by a doctor.
Vaginal Cysts
Approximately 1% to 2% of women develop a vaginal cyst at some point.
These cysts can occur due to a non-cancerous growth in the vaginal lining, a clogged gland, or damage to the vaginal walls during childbirth or surgery.
It’s not always possible to determine the source of the problem, but these cysts do feel like pimples in the vaginal area.
Varicosities
Pregnant and postpartum women are more likely to develop varicose veins in the vulva.
When blood pools in the vulvar vein, bumps can occur on the outer surface of the labia. These bumps also feel like vaginal pimples.
Read more about varicose veins and remedies to get relief.
Genital Warts
It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. These warts can grow in or around the vulva, vagina, and cervix.
According to Dr. Rabbia Ashraf, a renowned gynecologist with ten years of experience in the field, genital warts look like vaginal pimples. However, they can vary a bit in appearance.
They can be raised or flat, smooth or cauliflower-like in texture. Their color may be flesh-like or lighter, dark purple or brown. There may just be one wart, or there may be a cluster.
Folliculitis
You can develop vaginal pimples due to bacterial infection of the hair follicle.
Folliculitis can occur by shaving your pubic hair. When hair begins to grow out of the follicle, it curls back toward the skin, irritating it. These can grow back into the skin in some situations, leading to ingrown hair.
If you have sensitive skin and use a razor, its roughness may produce bumps, blisters, and vaginal pimples.
Read more about pimples on breasts and what causes them.
Ways to Prevent Vaginal Pimples: Home Remedies for Vaginal Acne!
If you’re reading this, chances are you want to know about vaginal pimples and looking for some easy home remedies. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Vaginal pimples can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but the good news is that you can deal with this situation at home with simple remedies. Let’s dive into some of the best ones:
Wash Properly
Wash your pubic area thoroughly so that it doesn’t allow the fungal infection to develop.
If you frequently experience this condition, use antibacterial soap but with a doctor’s advice.
Keep the Vaginal Area Dry
Sweaty yoga pants, see you later.
Sweat is one of the most common causes of vaginal pimples, so make sure you change out of any damp or sweaty clothing and keep the area as dry as possible. It includes wet bathing suits.
Be Careful While Removing Pubic Hair
If you want to remove pubic hair, you must select a proper method.
Getting rid of hair that causes ingrown in the bikini line, which leads to unpleasant pimples, is the best way to prevent these pimples in the future.
It entails using shaving cream instead of soap and water for shaving. Laser hair removal is the ideal technique for removing dark and thicker hair.
If you’re going to wax, make sure the area is clean before you start, and exfoliate afterward to avoid ingrown hair.
Can you think of another significant rule of thumb?
Any tool that comes into contact with your body daily should clean thoroughly.
The bathroom is a hub of many terms, so ensure sanitizing everything properly.
Try Benzoyl Peroxide
You can apply benzoyl peroxide externally to the bikini area to treat bumps.
Medicinal body washes containing benzoyl peroxide can help treat pimples in the vaginal area.
Choose products with 5% or less benzoyl peroxide if you have sensitive skin to prevent rashes.
Before shaving, these benzoyl peroxide washes can help with maintenance. However, you must ensure it stays off the vulva and only use it on the skin’s surface after consulting a doctor.
Skip the Creams and Use a Warm Compressor
Applying warm compresses to the affected area will assist in reducing the discomfort and getting rid of the vulva acne.
Most pimples on the vaginal area don’t return the way they would on the face. Because they would smear on clothes, creams wouldn’t function as well.
Applying warm soaks and giving them time to disappear would be your best course of action.
Warm compresses are another effective treatment for that cystic vaginal acne.
Try heating or soaking a growing pimple on your vagina for a few days before seeking medical attention. If the pimple in the vaginal area doesn’t go away or becomes big, you should probably get it checked out. You should also see a doctor if you experience pain, fever, or a rash.
Consider a Cortisone Shot
Cortisone shots can treat pimples on the vagina, similar to how cortisone injections treat particularly severe facial acne.
Visit your dermatologist for a short cortisone injection to settle down a large lesion for more immediate relief.
Apply a Mixture of Cornstarch and Warm Water
Apply this mixture over the vaginal pimples and leave it for around 15 minutes. Then rinse it off using warm water. Dry the area by patting a dry towel.
Corn starch can soak excess oil in the vaginal area and prevent another acne breakout. Warm water can suppress the development of pimples.
Wear Breathable Underwear
Gynecology experts at South City Hospital strongly advocate wearing clean clothes to maintain hygiene.
Clean, cotton underwear can allow the skin to breathe. You should avoid wearing tight underwear that can rub against the vaginal pimple and inflame it.
Try a Tea tree oil Pack!
Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties, and you can use it as an effective home remedy for vaginal pimples.
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil, and apply it to the pimple using a cotton swab. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it with warm water.
Try the Magic of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling.
Simply apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to the vaginal pimples and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural astringent that can help dry out pimples and prevent infection.
Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water, and apply it to the pimple using a cotton ball. Leave the mixture on for almost 10 minutes, then rinse it off.
Try Exfoliation with Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant that can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
Mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt with warm water to create a paste, and apply it to the pimple. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes to get the exfoliation effects, then wash it off.
Hospitals Offering Treatment for Vaginal Pimple
Hospitals with the best gynecologists treat vaginal pimples. You can find them at the best hospitals:
- Bahria International Hospital
- Doctors Hospital
- Evercare Hospital
- South City Hospital
- Iqra Medical Complex
When in Doubt, See an OB/GYN!
You may feel it challenging to differentiate between ingrown hairs, vaginal acne, sebaceous cyst, wart, and more severe conditions like an STD. You can use a mirror that can offer you a close-up to try and figure it out.
As a general rule, if you detect bumps down there, don’t assume anything (if you haven’t engaged in sexual activity or have been engaging in safe sex).
Folliculitis, an irritated hair follicle following shaving or waxing, is a condition brought on by ingrown hairs that can resemble other forms of body acne, complete with whiteheads.
However, if you adhere to the recommended hygiene standards for cleanliness and dryness and still have a stubborn zit, get a professional consultation.
Visit your gynecologist to have genital pimples examined to make sure they are not symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection if they are persistent and don’t seem to clear up on their own (such as genital herpes or warts).
A fantastic resource for helping to treat your acne is an OB/GYN, even if the lumps on your vagina turn out to be nothing significant. They can help identify strategies to lessen outbreaks. Here’s to healthy and happy skin!
