Vaginal Boils: Overview, Treatment, Causes, and Prevention

Vaginal boils, also known as vulvar boils or furuncles, are painful, pus-filled lumps that appear near the labia, pubic area, or vaginal wall. Usually caused by an infected hair follicle, these boils can be discomforting and embarrassing. 

While most clear up on their own within 1–2 weeks, proper care can speed healing and prevent recurrence. 

In this blog, let’s learn what causes vaginal boils, when to seek medical help, and practical ways to treat and prevent them naturally.

What are vaginal boils?

Vaginal boils are pimples on the vagina that occur when a hair follicle gets infection. This infection causes inflammation of the follicles (called folliculitis), giving rise to red, pus-filled pimples around hair roots.

Causes of vaginal boils

Here are a few common reasons why vaginal boils develop

• Infected Hair Follicles

 Shaving, waxing, or friction from tight clothing can irritate or damage hair follicles, making them prone to bacterial infection.

• Poor Hygiene

Not cleaning the area properly or using harsh products may allow bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of boils.

• Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in hormone levels, especially during menstruation, puberty, or pregnancy, can increase oil and sweat production, clogging pores and follicles.

• Sweating & Friction

Warm, moist environments around the vaginal area promote bacterial growth. Prolonged sweating or tight underwear can trap sweat and irritate the skin.

• Blocked Pores & Skin Debris

 Dead skin cells, sweat, lubricant, or personal care products can clog pores, creating an environment where boils may form.

While vaginal boils are usually harmless and resolve within 1–2 weeks, it’s essential to differentiate them from other causes of genital lumps or sores, which may indicate infections or underlying conditions. 

If you’re unsure or the lump is unusually painful, persistent, or keeps coming back, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Also Read: What are the signs of abnormal vaginal discharge?

Vaginal Boils Treatment

In most cases, vaginal boils heal on their own within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, certain home remedies can help relieve symptoms, reduce discomfort, and speed up healing.

• Before touching or treating the affected area, always wash your hands and gently cleanse the boil with warm water and mild antibacterial soap. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria and reduces the risk of further infection.

• Over-the-counter topical treatments such as Bacitracin, an antibiotic ointment, or antibacterial soaps may help. However, always consult a healthcare provider before using any medication in sensitive areas.

• A warm compress or sitz bath can help open pores and drain pus naturally, providing pain relief. After consulting a doctor, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be used. 

• Avoid popping or squeezing the boil, which can worsen the infection and cause scarring.

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Severe genital or pelvic pain
• Boils that worsen or do not improve

In some cases, oral antibiotics may be required to treat infected boils. For painful or recurring boils, a doctor may also prescribe injectable steroids to reduce inflammation and prevent scarring.

1. Don’t squirt or pierce yourself.

As tempting as it may be to pop it, do not do so. This can lead to the spread of germs and infection. Pain and soreness can worsen as a result of your actions.

2. Apply an ointment.

Petroleum jelly ointment makes protecting the boil near the vagina from clothes and underwear friction easy. A similar antibacterial cream can also prevent another infection. 

Ointments for boils in private areas contain medicines like bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B. Before taking these creams, consult your doctor.

3. Dosage of non-prescription analgesics

In some cases of pimples on the vagina, over-the-counter analgesics can use to ease discomfort and inflammation. Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be used as per directions on the label.

If these pimples on private parts female treatment do not relieve your vaginal boil within two weeks or if it persists, consult your doctor at the earliest.

Pimple on the vulva

Like every other area of our body, the pimple on the vulva has sweat glands and hair follicles, which can cause a boil on the labia. This type of acne can occur on the vulva or boil on the pubic areas in females.

A common cause of vulvar acne is a lack of appropriate vaginal hygiene, which can lead to inflammation.

Other causes of vulvar acne include using with non-hypoallergenic soap, female hygiene products, spermicide, and harsh detergents that may affect the vaginal pH and aggravation,

Several factors increase the risk of developing boils on the labia. These include having hormonal imbalances, being overweight or having sensitive skin, exercising a lot, and sweating.

How to avoid boils on the vulva?

It’s best to avoid wearing spandex or other restrictive clothing to reduce your risk of developing boils on the vulva, and to change out of your workout or bathing suit as soon as possible.

Add probiotics to your diet to assist in maintaining the usual bacteria on our skin, intestinal tract, bladder, and vagina and to help prevent undesirable bacteria from flourishing.

To avoid boils near the vagina, one of the best things to do is to avoid shaving or waxing, which often result in ingrown hair.

To avoid irritating skin, use an after-shave lotion on the area before shaving to “keep skin barrier health, decrease inflammation, and reduce the risk of inflamed skin.”

If you’re going to wax, make sure the area is clean beforehand. Whether you use a razor or a waxing kit, it’s critical to exfoliate before and after the procedure. Laser hair removal is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to shaving and waxing.

Key Takeaways!

Vaginal boils can be painful but with gentle care and smart prevention, most heal naturally within a week or two. Use warm compresses, maintain hygiene, and avoid squeezing or smoking needles. If a boil is large, painful, recurring, or accompanied by fever, seek medical evaluation. Treatment such as lancing or antibiotics may be needed. 

You can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence by following simple steps like wearing breathable clothing, skipping aggressive hair removal, and supporting healthy skin through gentle care.

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Expert Quote:

“Vaginal boils are usually harmless, but sometimes they can cause severe pain and discomfort and require immediate medical attention.  Consistent hygiene and avoiding hair follicle trauma can significantly reduce their recurrence.”

– Dr Lakshmi Vaswani

References:

• Raef, H. S., & Elmariah, S. B. (2021). Vulvar Pruritus: A review of Clinical associations, pathophysiology and Therapeutic Management. Frontiers in Medicine, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.649402
• Winters, R. D., & Mitchell, M. (2023, August 8). Folliculitis. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547754/