If you take personal care seriously, you probably scan your intimate area every now and then to check if all’s well down there. While a few razor bumps and zits here and there is NBD, the appearance of a big-fat, puss-filled bump in your genital area can be quite scary. Popularly known as vaginal boils, these abscesses can be very discomforting, annoying, and oh-so painful. But don’t fret just yet. We’ve got you all the info on vaginal boils and how to deal with them. Scroll down:
What Are Vaginal Boils?
First of all, let’s clear the air on the term ‘vaginal boils’. For the unversed, the vagina is a muscular canal that extends from the vulva to the neck of the uterus. You can’t really spot a bump or a boil inside this canal. Moreover, the probability of you getting one on this internal organ is extremely low. So what does a vaginal boil mean, you wonder? Well, it simply refers to a pus-filled, inflamed pimple or bump on the areas surrounding the vagina. These include the skin around the vaginal opening, vulva, groin, and the pubic mound.
Causes Of Vaginal Boils
Here are five common causes of vaginal boils:
Bacterial Infection
Certain bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (also known as staph) naturally live on the skin and nose. However, if these bacteria enter the hair follicles due to a cut on the skin, an insect bite, or any injury, it can infect the hair follicle and lead to a vaginal boil.
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs are usually a part and parcel of hair removal and are mostly harmless. However, sometimes a grown-out hair that curls back into the skin can become infected. It can further infect the hair follicle and lead to a pus-filled, painful boil.
Skin Irritation
Factors like friction with tight clothes and between the skin folds that rub against each other can irritate the skin or cause small cuts and tears. This can further irritate the hair follicle and make it more prone to infections and boils.
Blockage of Bartholin’s Gland
For the unversed, Bartholin’s glands are small glands near the vaginal opening. If proper intimate hygiene is not maintained, they can get clogged with dust, germs, and vaginal fluids and develop into cysts and pus-filled boils.
Skin-To-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact with a person with a boil anywhere on the body especially during sex can also lead to transmission of bacteria and development of boils in the vaginal area.
Symptoms Of Vaginal Boils
A vaginal boil is formed under the skin of the vaginal area. It can cause pain in the area even before its appearance. It usually looks like a small red bump or a pimple. However, according to a journal published in the National Library of Medicine, it can swell up and grow into a walnut-sized painful sore filled with pus. It may also develop a white/yellow tip as it grows. Additionally, a vaginal boil can even cause fever due to pain and infection. But it usually subsides within a week-ten days or even earlier with proper medication.
How To Prevent Vaginal Boils
When it comes to preventing vaginal boils, maintaining proper intimate hygiene can be your best bet. Make sure to wash your intimate area with a mild, unscented soap/cleanser twice a day to keep the germs away. Pat the area dry with a clean washcloth and use a gentle moisturiser to hydrate your genital skin thereafter. Additionally, opt for loose lowers made with breathable fabric to prevent friction, cuts, and excessive sweat in the intimate area. Lastly, if you’re someone, who struggles with a vaginal boil often, ditch your sanitary pads for a tampon for a menstrual cup during your periods to prevent any friction in the area. You can also switch to trimming your pubic hair instead of shaving or waxing it to prevent ingrowns and infection.
Sirona Suggest Best Products To Prevent Vaginal Boils
Sirona Refreshing Intimate Wash
Made with natural ingredients like Tasmanian pepper fruit, this product is carefully crafted to clean your intimate area thoroughly. It has a unique eco-certified purifying technology which makes it gentle on the skin but harsh on the germs and dirt buildup down there. The cleanser does the job without disturbing your genital skin’s natural acidic mantle and leaves the area fresh and squeaky clean in a jiffy.
Sirona Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Intimate Wash
This intimate wash contains apple cider vinegar to help maintain the acidic pH of your intimate area. It also has other natural ingredients like aloe vera and sea buckthorn oil to moisturise the genital skin while cleansing it thoroughly.
Sirona Intimate Wipes
Packed with plant and fruit extracts, these intimate wipes are a saviour when you feel damp and uncomfortable down there while on the go. You can simply toss one out of the pack and clean up your genital area in a jiffy. They’re hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and extremely gentle on the sensitive skin down there.
We hope these tips to prevent vaginal boils help and that you never have to deal with those painful, pesky bumps in your vaginal area ever again.
*This article has been reviewed by Dr Sonia Chandnani
Dr. Sonia R. Chandnani is a Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, specialising in high-risk pregnancy management. She has an overall 17 years of experience and is presently associated with Bombay Maternity And Surgical Hospital, Surat.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
Vaginal Itching Causes: Click here to know why your vagina is itchy.
Herpes Prevention: Here are some tips and tricks for all sexually active peeps to keep herpes at bay.
Bacterial Vaginosis Causes: Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: What does your pregnancy discharge indicate about your health? Read this to understand.
