Zits on Genital Area

Q: Doctor, I am having zits over my genitals. This happens on and off. What medication is required?

Reply:

One commonly encounters zits or pimples on the genital area. Pimples may occur on the scrotal skin, over the penile skin or in the inner thigh region.

In females, zits occur commonly over the vaginal lips, labia (both majora and minora) and in and around the vagina.

Cause of Zits Over the Genitals

Pimples can occur anywhere on the body where there is skin and lubricating glands over it. During teenage or early adulthood, these glands are very active. This is because the reproductive hormones of the body peak up during these periods.

Overactive glands produce lot of secretions. Sometimes, the duct of any one of these glands may get blocked by a plug formed by excessive secretions, tissue debris, dead skin cells etc.

This blockage lead to the formation of a cystic swelling containing white colored sebum in it. This is an acne, also called genital zits.

Genital zits or acne are not usually painful.

Painful Zits Over Genitals

Pain or redness over a zit suggests that it has got infected. This may happen due to repeated friction in the region while walking, or because or squeezing or popping the pimple with our hands.

Managing Zits on the Genital Region

You need to take care of this pimple. no medication is required if it is not infected. Just do the following:

  • Keep the area clean and dry.
  • Never try to pop or squeeze the zit.
  • Wear loose cotton undergarments to keep the region dry, moisture free and well aerated.
  • Drink lot of water and eat healthy.
  • To ease tension within the zit, try warm compress over it to soften the overlying skin. Slowly, the pimple would start draining.
  • If you feel the zit on your genital is infected, apply a topical antibiotic cream over it.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Genital Zit

  1. Sam

    I am a female and 15, and I have need for this question answered. I was going to the bathroom and as I wiped, I noticed blood on the toilet paper. I located the source, and it was a small pimple-like bump right by my vaginal opening. It was bleeding and it stung very bad. Is it possible for this to just be an irritated zit? Please help, thank you.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Yes, it may be a zit in the vaginal area. There is a possibility that it got traumatized due to repeated friction while walking and so started bleeding.

      Take care of the lesion. Read more on zits in vagina.

      However, if you are sexually active, consider ruling out STDs.

      Reply
  2. Bells

    I have a few pimples on my left labia majora. They don’t hurt at all, I am just wondering why they are there and how can I get rid of them? I really don’t want them there.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It is common to have pimples or zits over the genital region, especially in early adulthood. Read above to take care of these genital zits.

      Since your pimples don’t hurt, they are not infected or irritated. All you need to do is to keep out all factors that promote the growth of pimples. Just keep area clean and dry.

      Reply
  3. anonymous

    I have bumps all around my vaginal area on the inside and it makes me half to go pee very often and tends to hurt a lot and it has started to hurt when I walk. What should I do?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      To reduce the bumps, do warm compresses at least three times a day. This will definitely benefit you and the bumps will go away in a week.

      If, however, you notice any pus or infection in any of the bumps, you’ll have to apply some topical antibiotic cream on them. You may use mupirocin or equivalent for the purpose.

      Reply
  4. Anonymous

    I have pimples around my genital area and I’m 13 years old, so should this be a problem?
    I do think some could be infected, so I should try topical antibiotics and should I get them checked by my doctor or my father who is a doctor? I’m not sure, very self conscious person asking this. Mostly around the inner thigh and some are almost zit like, very uncomfortable and some swollen.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It is normal to have pimples around this age. Just as they occur on the face and else where, pimples commonly erupt in the groin region around teenage.

      The reason is primarily hormonal. To avoid them, you need to eat right and take care of them by observing proper hygiene. Read more about caring for vaginal pimples.

      Signs of infection are: redness, pain or presence of pus. If you note any of these signs over any pimple, start applying a topical antibiotic over it immediately.

      However, if none of these signs are present, just let it be. Keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose cotton underwear. The pimples will slowly fade over a week.

      Reply
  5. LU

    I have this bump in my pubic area, it started out as a pimple and pus came out of it but years later the bump is still there. The very top of the bump it has a scab, no pus comes out of it anymore and I’ve never had sex.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Try warm compress over this zit on a regular basis. This will soften it and gradually the zit will go away.

      Reply
  6. Marisol

    I’m almost 12 and I started my period and a few months later I’m peeing and I see 3 pimples on my vagina. So I popped them and right after that, three red dots with little bumps. Help please.

    Reply
  7. Vincey

    I found out a whitehead near outer vagina bottom. No pain, no itchy, no sore. But have burning sensation in vagina and when urine too. I’m worried. Please advice.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Very likely to be an infected pimple. Since urine is a bit acidic in pH, such lesions may give a burning sensation while urinating.

      Keep the area clean and dry. Apply a topical antibiotic over the whitehead, it is likely to be filled with pus. Doing warm compress over it will help.

      Reply
  8. Rebecca s

    I’ve been having small lumps and bumps on and near my vagina and it’s very painful. I don’t know what to do. I’m only 13 and I’ve been having it since I was 12 and it doesn’t look pretty. What can I do to treat this?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Though these sound to be numerous infected pimples, which are common in your age group, it is essential to rule out presence of any STD’s. For that, you need to go to a doctor for physical exam.

      Managing pimples requires good hygiene and a change in dietary habits. Wash your genitals daily with plain water. You may do this while bathing, when you may liberally wash the area. Avoid using any soap or gel for cleaning.

      Wear loose cotton underwear only. No tight clothing, to avoid moisture from getting trapped there. Moisture aids in pimple formation.

      Also, avoid eating fried fatty stuff. Consume plenty of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables in your diet. Drink lots of water. This would detoxify your body on a daily basis and reduce the number of pimples that are erupting.

      Reply
  9. Sam

    I am 13 and have a small bump on my vulva and it doesn’t hurt. But it is worrying me I don’t want to touch it and don’t want to go to a doc, what should I do?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      A solitary bump, as this sounds, is likely to be a pimple. Read more about it above.

      Wear loose cotton underwear and keep the area clean. You may try warm compress over it. It is likely to regress on its own with time.

      If it pains, start applying mupirocin (bactroban) over it twice a day for three days.

      Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Getting pimples on the vagina is like getting pimples anywhere else on the body, for example, say on the face.

      Just as not everyone gets pimples on the face, but getting a pimple on the face is both normal and common. Getting a pimple in the vaginal area is also normal and common, since this area is moist all the day and a lot of secretory glands are present there.

      Reply
  10. Kiara

    I have a small bump in my labia minor. Does not bother me, notice it yesterday. It has been itching. And dry. In that area for about four days. What might that be?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Likely to be a pimple. Try warm compress over it.

      If, however, you are sexually active, you need to rule out the presence of STDs.

      Reply
  11. Sabitri

    Dear Sir, there is a pimple like small thing appearing at my vagina and it gives me pain. When I saw this, it looks like a red thing just appearing at that side. Kindly provide me the solution on this occasion. Awaiting your reply.

    Reply
  12. Lollss

    I have a something like pimple but it is quite big in the vagina. When I squeeze it, there is some blood on my finger. But then, when I squeeze again, there isn’t any blood anymore. This thing has been almost 2-3 days in the vagina. It doesn’t go away until now. What should I do? Go and visit a doctor or wait for a month whether it disappear itself?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Are you sexually active? If yes, you need to rule out the presence of STDs.

      If not, this is likely to be a pimple that has got infected. You may start applying a topical antibiotic cream, like mupirocin, over it. Apply it twice a day for 5 days.

      Keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose cotton underwear to avoid friction over the pimple.

      Reply
  13. Candice

    I have noticed about three weeks ago a pimple inside my vagina on the side. It is not big but it has a white dot on the tip, it is not really painful but it is uncomfortable – it stayed for about a week and then disappeared. I then got my periods and then all of a sudden it appeared again looking exactly the same as before. However when I bathed myself I forgot about the pimple and I think I might have hurt it. It was burning afterwards it didn’t bleed but it was painful. I am worried that it might be something serious but embarrassed to go to my gp and open up my private part, I’m about to try bathing in salt water. Please help me..

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Just keep the area clean by washing it thoroughly with water during bath. Keep it dry. Wear loose cotton underwear, make sure to avoid friction over the pimple during walking or other activities.

      Your pimple sounds infected. You may start applying mupirocin ointment over it, twice daily for a week.

      Reply
  14. Unknown

    Hi, so I got this bump or pimple on the hair part of my vagina, and once when it brusted white pus came out, I can see the hair curled under it and now it is getting bigger and I think it is infected and now since it got bigger I can hardly see the hair in it, it was bleeding a little bit and I don’t know what to do

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Appears infected. You need to use an antibiotic ointment over it.

      Keep the area clean and dry. You may try warm compress over the lesion. This would soften it and help draining out pus from inside it, if any.

      Then apply mupirocin/ bactroban cream over the lesion thrice a day.

      Reply
  15. Jane

    Just a couple years ago, I believe I self inoculated my left ear with my HSV2.
    I had a positive HSV2 test in 1999, but I had a partner in the 80’s I think I got it from him.
    I have worried, and worried that I did this, and August 6 (this year), my ear broke out with this rash.
    Do you think I did this to myself?
    Before if broke out I had:
    1)burning scalp (went away in 2-3 days)
    2)sore on my gum line (went away in 2-3 days)
    3)fevery/chills (flu-like—I guess)
    Also before the rash broke out, I had developed a fullness in my ear/tinnitus, and mild dizziness, which go so much worse over time.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      You need to see a doctor for diagnosis. This could be some other viral illness. Needs to be differentiated.

      Reply
  16. Haley

    I have a bump near the prepuce of my clitoris. Right under the hairline. It’s the size of a pea and feels like a hard bump under the skin. It looked like it had a head so I used a warm compress and tried to pop it but nothing came out. I’m sexually active. What could it be?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Buddy M.D. Cancel reply

Your Question will be answered by a specialist M.D. in 1-2 days.

To prevent unauthorized comments, we request you to solve a simple problem: *