Repeated Infection of Vaginal Pimples

Q: I have bumps around the outer portion of my vagina. They sometimes enlarge and begin to hurt like a boil. They come and go; I don’t know what to do. It’s kind of embarrassing. I’ve had them for a long time. I had two kids in all. When I go to the doctor, all they give me is antibiotics and say that I don’t have any STDs. So I leave confused every time. What should I do?

Reply:

Once the pimples are infected, you have to take antibiotics for them. Usually, there is no need to take oral medications. Topical antibiotics like mupirocin are enough to heal the infected pimples.

Causes of Recurrent Pimples

There can be many causes for having recurrent pimples. They include:

  • Poor hygiene. This include improper cleaning of the vaginal area. Read more on cleaning the genital area.
  • Too tight undergarment that do not allow proper aeration of the genital area. This may trap moisture in the area allowing more acne to grow there. Undergarment should be loose and cotton based.
  • Repeated courses of oral antibiotics for acne or other disease processes like sore throat. Antibiotics should not be taken very frequently. Three courses a year is the maximum limit. When taken frequently, they destroy the vaginal flora, rendering it prone to other infections.
  • Keep your nails well-trimmed. Scratching the pimples unknowing may infect them.
  • Having more of fatty food stuff can also lead to more pimples. Consume more of fresh fruits and leafy vegetables to have lesser pimples.
  • Low immunity of the body. Take care by having healthy food and lots of water.
  • Any underlying disease like diabetes may make you prone to all infections, including infected pimples. You may consider getting your blood sugar checked up.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Recurrent Infected Pimples on Vagina

  1. Priya

    Hi Doctor, I am 23 yrs old virgin. A year ago, I got pus filled bump around my private part and I got it diagnosed by a doctor. But now I again got the same problem which is very painful, on top of that I am away from home. I live in a different country now and I need it to be cleared by myself. Please help me in self medication. I am also worried that it will come again in the future. Please help me.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      The pimple sounds infected. You need to apply a topical antibiotic cream over it now. Mupirocin, bactroban, may be used.

      Getting pimples again and again implies that there are favorable grounds for the occurrence of pimples down there. Read above in detail about preventing pimples.

      Also, take care that you are eating healthy. This may be linked to your immune status. Include plenty of fresh fruits and stewed vegetables in your diet to boost up your immune system.

      Reply
  2. Erita Kasondo

    Have been treated for vaginal pimples/bumps for some months seems, they won’t go away. I’m scared, don’t know what’s really wrong with me. Please help.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Firstly, you need to get yourself screened for STDs. It is advisable to go to your doctor for examination.

      Read above about getting pimples on the vagina repeatedly.

      Reply
  3. Goqela zimkhitha

    I have pimples inside my vagina for 2 full years now and I don’t know what causes them. What can I do to treat them. They are too big and they are inside of my vagina. Please help!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      If you are sexually active, it is suggested you see a gyne. This may be some STD.

      Recurrent pimples may occur due to faulty dietary habits, wearing non-absorbent underwear or poor hygiene. Read more on the topic above.

      Reply
  4. Alyssa

    Okay, so yesterday I discovered a bump on the one of my lips of my vagina right on the edge. I noticed it because I got a sharp pain when I was wiping and I mean it was so painful so I looked to see if anything was there and that’s when I saw it. It looked to me like one of those pimples that you get under the skin and it looked like it had kind of a head on it or stuff in it. Now I have had it before I think like only 4 times in my life and the first time I got one well I think they are the same thing but anyways it was when I was 15 and was not sexually active. And just like the other times I messed with it and squeezed it till it popped and whitish clear stuff came out then it bled just a little bit. Then stops hurting after it’s popped. When they show up it’s only one and it’s just random. I’m not freaking out but don’t know if I should get it looked at and I really don’t want to or know when the next time one will pop up so I’m just trying to get the best educated guess of what it could be.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Are you sexually active. If yes, you need to get examined to rule out the possibility of STDs.

      If not, it’s likely to be a pimple. Pimples tend to recur. Read above about why pimples occur again and again.

      For now, just keep the area clean and dry. Where loose cotton underwear to avoid friction down there.

      Do not pop or squeeze the lesion. Start applying mupirocin ointment over the pimple twice daily for a week.

      Reply
  5. Nadia

    I have been having some boil/ pimple like stuff on both vaginal lips and are really painful plus they have pus. I started having them while I was 17. I was not sexually active by then. I went to the doctor and was given antibiotics. They disappeared and reappeared after my dose. They are back, been having this problem for the last 4yrs. they are on and off. I have used bactroban but still recurs. Please help, what could it be?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      As you may read above, there are reasons for having recurrent infections in this area. The cause may be related to your diet, daily hygiene or clothing.

      Assure that you are eating healthy, plenty of water, lots of fruits and vegetables. A daily bath with washing of genital area would wash off factors which may potentially lead to pimple formation.

      Reply
  6. Nacshy

    Hi, I get these bumps on my vagina. It usually starts off as a small itchy pimple and then ends to a big painful bump. I really need help, it’s happening since last year. It comes and goes.

    And then, I have this little white spot on my vagina. It’s hard, it look like a little hole. It’s like I can see the white flesh when looking at it but it’s all dried up, not sore at all. But that also appeared last year and I still have it on my vagina. Could this be a disease? please help me out.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      The cause of recurrent pimples may be traced back to either your diet or hygiene.

      To avoid pimples, the area needs to be kept clean and dry. Wear loose cotton underwear only, to keep the area well ventilated.

      For now, start applying some topical antibiotic cream over those pimples. This would regress them gradually.

      Reply
  7. Bisola

    I always have recurrent lumps in my outer vagina where the public hair are. Sometimes the lumps will just come, stay there for sometimes and dry off, sometimes it will drain little pus. Sometimes it is not painful and sometimes it is painful especially when they have pus in them. These lumps have been coming and going every time for years now and it is very embarrassing. I will be getting married soon, please, how can I cope and permanently treat this problem. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      As you may read above, reason of getting pimples is either your hygiene or your eating habits.

      If you take more of junk food, fried or fatty stuff, you’ll get more of pimples. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables would cleanse you from inside, minimizing the occurrence of pimples.

      Pimples occur when the groin area is moist and inadequately washed. Daily washing of the area and keeping it dry, well ventilated throughout the day would help in preventing pimples.

      Pimples get infected and carry pus, when they are squeezed or touched with hands more frequently.

      Reply
  8. Bisola

    Thank you Doctor. So are you saying there is no medication for it, I mean drugs that can stop it because a dermatologist recommended a cream for me to apply to my face and chest full of pimples sometimes ago, and pimples is now an history to my face since then. So I think there will be medication that can permanently cure it or I should just adhere to your advice only.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Treatment lies in controlling the factors that lead to pimple formation. You may read more on why pimples occur.

      May be you had some specific disease on your face and chest. If there is some pathology, it can be treated.

      You may visit a doctor for examination of your groin pimples, to rule out the presence of any disease.

      Reply
  9. Gayle Seltzner

    I have pimples on my vagina lip. I went to the Doctor and was told what to do. My question is as one gets cleared up, I get another one right away. I feel like it keeps spreading. They hurt and I’m getting frustrated.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      This means that the infection is spreading. This may be via the infected pus touching the nearby healthy skin surface.
      It is common for pimples to spread this way. As the pus inside them drains and touches the nearby skin, more pimples erupt in the nearby areas.

      Read above about taking care so that a single pimple gets contained.

      Reply
  10. Beauty

    I am having boil behind my anus and around my vagina for some years now. The boil comes every month 1 week before my menstruation, with ringworm like under my armpit. I have taken a lot of antibiotics to know avail. Dr what could be the cause and what do I do?.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Next time you get the boil, try warm compress over it. This would help draining pus from inside the boil.

      Do not take antibiotics from mouth (oral). If the boil pains, you may use some topical antibiotic cream, like mupirocin, over it.

      Read above in details about recurrence of boils.

      Reply
  11. Prudence

    I’ve been having these pimples in my vaginal area for quite a while now, but they intend to disappear. Sometimes I would burst them off and white reddish water or something would come out or sometimes a little soft white thing would come out after bursting the pimple. What could be the cause of this? I’m really worried.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      These are infected pimples. May be the exudate coming out from them comes in touch with the nearby skin. This may infect it, giving rise to more pimples.

      You need to be very particular about the hygiene down there. Wash it daily while bathing. No soap or gel to be used.

      Wear loose cotton underwear. Avoid friction over them, while walking or other activities. Clean the pus coming out from them with clean cotton balls, taking care that the nearby areas are not infected.

      If you are sexually active, get yourself screened for any STD. Read above in details.

      Reply
  12. Jenny

    I have white bumps and I am on antibiotics and a cream for it. I got very sick in april with a infection that started in a cysts in my kidney it broke and infected my blood as well as kidney. I have pkd . On meds for 2 months and now again . How long does it take to clear up . It is painfull and bleedING and puss is coming out . I startin to be very itchy done there as well . Can yeast infection also be bumps or pimple lookin? yes I been tested for stds they came back negative

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Yeast infection would give you a curd like white discharge. It may cause tiny itchy bumps down there.

      It’s difficult to say about the healing time without actual examination.

      Reply
  13. Ane Lane

    Hello, I’m 25 years old woman and a small, red-ish, single ‘bump’ (looks like) appeared close to my outer labia/genital area. It is not the first time a bump like this appeared tho, and it looks like to be in the same (or close) spot. It doesn’t look like a pimple or a ingrown hair problem (I don’t shave there). I’m freaking out bc the symptoms pointed it to be herpes… but I’m a virgin! I mean, I’m a complete virgin. I had never had any sort of oral sex either and it’s been years since I kissed someone. Can It be possible I have herpes? I know there’s a possibility to get it from birth, but it seems unlikely imo. Im scared!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Unlikely to be herpes. Herpes lesions are in clusters and look more like blister.

      This may be an infected pimple. You may start applying a antibiotic cream over it. Mupirocin/ bactroban may be used thrice daily.

      Reply
  14. SaraMattews

    Small bump on my outer labia that looks like it`s filled w/ a white pus. Doesn`t hurt and doesn`t look like a pimple. I don`t shave down there. I went to the gyno and she said it`s folliculitis, but it`s been a month and no change to the bump. I`m also been diagnosed w a candida infection. Can this bump be something more serious like herpes or something? Not sexually active.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Unlikely to be herpes or any thing serious.

      This may be folliculitis. You may try gentle warm compress over it. This may help in softening the surface over the bump and aid drainage.

      Start applying an antibiotic cream over it. Mupirocin/ bacitracin may be used thrice daily.

      Reply
      1. SaraMattews

        Thank you for your answer. I’m already putting some warm compresses over it an I’ll be looking for the cream you recommended me. Can I ask one more question? Should I pop it or it will pop by itself?
        Anyway, Thank you so much for your answer, I tend to overreact and jump to the worst conclusion and your answer made feel better.

        Reply
  15. Trish

    Hello Doctor, I am a 23 year old virgin. During my period last month, I felt like the labia minora was quite sensitive when wiping. It was a bruised/painful feeling when wiping or wearing really tight clothes. I merely assume it was a normal irritation due to tissue paper. I also noticed that the right side of the labia minora was slightly bigger than the left one. However, this month again during my period, I am experiencing the same sensitivity and pain. I tried to check the area and found that this time its the left side that is bigger than the right side. Is this normal? Further, I have noticed that there is a tiny whitehead like pimple on the left side of the labia minora which i think is making the area sensitive and painful. It is not inside but on the outer side of the labia minora. I would be grateful if you could advise me with a home treatment. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Appears normal. Just leave it undisturbed.

      If it irritates, you may rub a little bland oil over it.

      Reply
      1. Trish

        Thank you so much Doctor. I am quite relieved that it is not something serious. I am finding it a bit uncomfortable now and bit painful too. Kindly confirm if extra virgin olive oil is considered as bland oil?
        Also, I have reparil gel at home that we usually use to reduce swelling/pain to other areas at times. Is this something I could use in the event it does not go away? Kindly advise me.

        Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          If they are painful, better start applying an antibiotic cream over it, thrice daily. You may use any over the counter ointment.

          Reparil gel may be used for pain. However, results are debatable.

          Reply
          1. Trish

            Thank you for the response Doctor. Actually, the tiny whitehead like pimple kind of broke. The white dot is not there and there was very little amount amount of brownish liquid. I used a cotton ball to dab it. After taking my shower, I notice a bit of liquid again. I am now very anxious about this. Please advise me. I have Bactroban 15g ointment/salf.
            I guess I will not apply the reparil gel as results are debatable.
            Awaiting for you response. Thank you.

          2. Buddy M.D. Post author

            Just keep it clean and apply the ointment you have, thrice daily. Likely to heal within a week.

  16. Rammy

    Hi, am 25 year old…married 5 months before….but not sexually active…because of pimple like boils on the vaginal skin and it’s hurting a lot from almost 4 months…initially my family doctor suggested to take augmentin 625 TID… for 5 days…the condition improved a lot and as soon I stopped the course after 5 days it reappeared….am using fresh razors every time..cleaning the area and keeping the area dry..Am not using underwear also….later I went to gyne…she suggested to consult dermatologist….dermatologist prescribed doxycycline single dose for 15 days…again condition improved…as soon as I stopped the course…again reappeared….after few days again started on augmentin for 9 days…condition improved…after stopping the dose…it reappeared….Am really worried about this….please help me out…

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Avoid shaving there till you get alright.

      Let us know how many pimples do you get; where exactly, are they over the skin or mucosa; Do you have pimples any where else over the body; are those pimples pus filled; any discharge from the vagina; any pain in lower abdomen?

      Reply
      1. Rammy

        Thanks for your response….
        Sometimes 2 or 3 pimples…Sometimes more…yes pus filled… it occurs in the sides of pubic area and top of vaginal lips skin..I don’t have any pimples other than that place…no discharge from vagina…only white discharge…that was der for me from so many years…very rare lower abdomen pain…

        Reply
          1. Buddy M.D. Post author

            Start applying a n anti fungal ointment down there. You may use miconazole/ canesten-V. Apply it twice, liberally over the area and also a little inside your canal, using an applicator that comes with it. Let one application be at night, before going to bed, so that the ointment stays at its place and gets a chance to act better.

            Let us know the results after a week.

  17. Really confused

    I have a bump right on the side of my vagina, almost in my inner thigh. It has been there for months now. Every time it will be flat and almost completely gone and then the next I know it is slightly swollen and and small amount of puss come out.
    The first time I saw it, I did pop it wit a safety pin and for the while it look like skin was sticking out of the small hole.

    I don’t have any other bumps or pimples in or near my vagina. It is just this on stubborn spot.

    When it pops. I clean it out and apply Germolene…but it always comes back a few days later.

    Please advise

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      This may be an infected ingrown hair or hair follicle. Since the hair stays there, it tends to come back again.

      Try warm compress over it, thrice daily. This may help in taking out the impacted hair as well. Also, apply an antibiotic cream, like mupirocin, over it after each warm compress session.

      Let us know if it gets alright.

      Reply

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