Vaginal Boils - Home Remedies, Risk Factors and Prevention

What Is a Vaginal Boil?

Boils on the vagina are known as vaginal boils. These are pus-filled, swollen bumps that form under the skin of the vagina. These bumps can form outside the vagina, in the pubic area, or develop on the labia. Vaginal boils usually develop when a hair follicle becomes impacted and if any infection develops in the follicle. Vaginal boil not only causes pain and discomfort in women, but it also causes embarrassment in front of their partners. So let us freely discuss more on this topic about which usually women hesitate to talk and suffer in silence.

Why Do Women Get Boils in the Vaginal Area?

Vaginal boils can occur due to the following reasons:

• Sebum: Excessive sebum production can plug the oil glands. When the bacteria gets trapped in these glands, it can get infected and cause boils. Women with thick pubic hair and oily skin are more prone to vaginal abscesses.

• Ingrown Hair: These vaginal bumps can occur when the hair inside the follicle curls or grows sideways. The bumps of ingrown hair can develop on the pubic area, vulva, and labia. An ingrown hair boil on the vagina can show up after shaving the pubic hairs using improper shaving techniques.

• Body Toxins: Pollution, eating unhealthy foods, and stress can build toxins in the body. These toxins can get accumulated in the body and cause boils or pimples in several parts of the body, including the vagina.

• Bruises and Cuts: The tight underwear can cause cuts or bruises and rashes on the intimate area, which, when infected by the bacteria present on the skin, can form boils.

• Harmful Bacteria: Harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Chlamydia trachomatis are responsible for the growth of vaginal boils and infections.

• Sexually Transmitted Disease: Sexually transmitted infections can be an important reason for vaginal boils. Genital piercings can also cause vaginal boils.

• Cysts: Bartholin gland cyst can be another cause of vaginal boils. The Bartholin gland, which is present under the skin close to the vaginal opening, can lead to a hard round bump or a cyst. If untreated, it can cause infection, and finally, a boil will form.

How Does A Vaginal Boil Look Like?

Symptoms of genital boils include red, pus-filled lumps, which are tender and painful. The center of the lump will turn yellow or white when it is ready to drain. People with multiple boils may develop fever and swollen lymph nodes.

How Long Can a Vaginal Boil Last?

Usually, a boil will clear up on its own in a week or two. And some boils will shrink and disappear, while others will burst and drain first. If the boil bursts, clean the site thoroughly and apply a sterile gauze or adhesive bandage. Try to keep the site clean and change the dressing every day. Washing your hands before and after changing the bandages is a must. Having one boil does not mean that you are likely to get another.

However, the risk factors that can make you get another boil are:

• Friction or rubbing from tight clothes.

• Ingrown hairs from shaving.

• Staphylococcal infection.

If multiple boils develop, make an appointment with the doctor because an underlying factor could be contributing to the boils. Therefore, treating the root cause can help prevent future bumps.

What Are the Home Remedies for Vaginal Boils?

The home remedies for vaginal boils include:

• Applying a warm compress to the area for at least 20 minutes is very helpful in reducing vaginal boils.

• Raw onion.

• Fresh garlic.

• Tea tree oil.

• Turmeric and ginger.

• Castor oil extract.

• Tridax daisy essential oil.

• Neem essential oil.

• Goatweed essential oil.

What Medications Can Be Given for Vaginal Boils?

• To ease the inflammation and mild pain caused by vaginal boils, over-the-counter pain medications are advised. The two recommended OTC painkillers are Advil (Ibuprofen) and Tylenol (Acetaminophen).

• Applying petroleum jelly ointment can cure the boil. And the application of the balm will help to prevent friction.

• Antibiotic ointments like combined Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B can help prevent further infection.

What to Do for Large Vaginal Boils?

If the boil is too severe, the doctor may advise two treatment options like:

• Lance and Drain: If the boil is large and painful, the doctor may cut the bump to drain the pus and fluid. It should be done only with sterile equipment, so do not try this at home. Boils with severe infection need to be drained more than once.

• Antibiotics: Severe or recurrent infections should be treated with antibiotics to prevent future boils. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics after the boil is drained to avoid secondary infection.

What Are the Risk Factors for Vaginal Boils?

Risk factors that can increase the chances of developing vaginal boils include:

• Improper hygiene.

• Shaving.

• Having small cuts on the skin.

• Having skin conditions, such as acne or eczema.

• Having an immune disorder, which can make you more vulnerable to bacterial infections.

• Sharing the razors or towels or having close contact with someone who has boils.

How to Prevent Vaginal Boils?

Preventing boils is not always possible, but these tips can help you reduce the risks of future boils or other vaginal bumps:

• Wear Clean and Dry Underwear: Avoid tight clothing to prevent vaginal boils caused by constant friction and rubbing on the delicate skin of the vagina.

• Change Your Razor Frequently: Since a dull razor can increase the risk of ingrown hairs, changing the razors or blades every three to four weeks is very important.

• Do Not Share Razors: The bacteria that is responsible for a boil is easily transferred with razors. So keep the razor clean, dry, and stored away from other people.

• Shave in the Shower or Bath: Using a shaving lotion or cream is necessary to reduce friction on hair and avoid dry shaving.

• Shaving in the Direction of Hair Growth: To reduce the possibility of ingrown hair, shave in the direction the hair is growing.

• Gently Exfoliate Pubic Area: Shave or wax the pubic area regularly to reduce the chances of developing ingrown hair by gently exfoliating the area. Exfoliating can also help to open any blocked hair follicles and allow hair growth.

• Take All Antibiotics: If the doctor prescribes any antibiotics to treat your infection, complete the entire course. Stopping the course of antibiotics in between can cause reinfection.

• Treat Staphylococcus Infections: If there are recurring boils, the doctor may take a pus sample from a boil and send it for the test to determine what bacteria are causing it. Knowing the bacteria can help the doctor to treat it in a better way and prevent boils. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria present on the skin, and it can cause recurring boils and other infections. If this bacterium is responsible, the doctor can specifically treat it.

Conclusion:

The vaginal boils are painful bumps that are a common health condition reported by many women worldwide. When the boil gets infected, it can become contagious and spread from one person to another. Boils can be prevented by avoiding the factors that can lead to infection. But if the bumps are very painful and itchy and fail to heal within a period of three weeks, do not hesitate to consult with your physician.