Vaginal Boil

A vaginal boil (also called a furuncle or skin abscess) is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops under the skin in your genital area. It usually happens when the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (commonly called staph) infects your hair follicles. A vaginal boil can also develop when bacteria gets into a cut in your skin.

A boil can develop on the labia (lips of the vagina) or in the pubic region (where your pubic hair grows). Some people will get them in the skin fold between their groins and upper thighs. Boils will start out small, like a pimple but can grow as big as a golf ball. Vaginal boils typically get more painful as they grow. Eventually, they rupture (or open), and the pus drains.

Vaginal boils are common and typically not serious. Most will clear up on their own within a few weeks with at-home care. If a vaginal boil gets very large and painful, some healthcare providers treat them with antibiotics or drain them in the office.

Symptoms of a vaginal boil

Vaginal boils can start out small and could resemble a pimple or razor burn. Once it grows and becomes painful, you may begin feeling discomfort or seeing signs of infection.

Symptoms of a vaginal boil are a lump that:

• Is swollen, red and deep in your skin
• Is painful and warm to touch
• Develops a white or yellow, pus-filled center that may break open
• May ooze fluid or develop a crust

Some people develop symptoms of infection like fever and swollen lymph nodes.

What does it look like?

The boil may start as a small, red bump. It can develop into a swollen, painful spot with a white or yellow, pus-filled tip. This happens quickly — sometimes over a few days. It can feel tender and warm to the touch. Boils tend to get large — some might get as big as 2 inches or more.

Vaginal boil causes

Boils are most commonly caused by a Staphylococcus aureus (staph) infection, a type of bacteria that’s found on your skin and inside your nose. It only causes problems when it gets inside your body. When bacteria get into areas of your skin that are cut or broken open, a lump filled with fluid or pus will form. This is your body’s way of trying to get rid of the infection.

Some causes of boils include:

• Having obesity, which can cause boils to develop between the folds of your skin
• Poor hygiene (wash your genital area with warm water daily and after exercise)
• Diabetes or other conditions that weaken your immune system — these reduce your ability to fight infection
• Wearing tight-fitting clothes, especially dirty or sweaty underwear
• Ingrown hairs due to shaving, grooming or waxing your vaginal area
• Other injuries to your skin, like insect bites or acne
• Close physical contact with someone who had a boil (the boil contains bacteria that can spread when the boil opens)

What STD can cause boils?

Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like genital herpes or genital warts can cause sores or lesions that resemble the beginning of a boil. But you don’t typically get vaginal boils from STIs. Once the infection progresses, it can be clear to your healthcare provider that the infection is due to staph infection. They can also order tests to determine if you have STIs.

Are vaginal boils contagious?

Yes, vaginal boils can be contagious. They can spread from skin-to-skin contact. If you have a boil in your pubic region, you should:

• Wash your hands with soap before and after touching the infected area
• Practice good hygiene and keep the area clean and dry, especially if the boil begins to drain
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, clothing and washcloths until the boil’s gone

If you have sexual contact with someone who has a boil that’s leaking, it’s best to wash the area with antibacterial soap as soon as possible. If you have a vaginal boil, be aware that you can spread the infection to your partner, especially if you see liquid seeping from the boil.

Who is more likely to get them?

Boils are a bacterial infection. The following factors could make you more likely to get a boil near your vagina:

• You shave your pubic region with a razor. Tiny nicks from a razor can make your skin susceptible to bacterial infection.
• You have acne or other skin conditions that cause breaks in your skin. These can become infected more easily.
• You’re in close contact or sharing personal items with someone who has a boil.
• You have a weak immune system or medical condition that makes it difficult for your body to fight an infection. Even pregnancy can make you susceptible as it tends to lower your immune system to certain bacteria.

What are some complications of a vaginal boil?

Severe complications of a vaginal boil are rare. Bacteria from the boil can spread to other parts of your body or enter your bloodstream (sepsis). If this occurs, your heart, bones, brain or other organs could be at risk of infection.

How doctors diagnose vaginal boils

Your healthcare provider will diagnose a boil on your vagina after performing a physical exam and looking at the boil. Most providers can tell if the bump is a boil relatively quickly.

Most of the time, a boil will heal without any medical intervention. If the infection is severe or causes a lot of pain, your provider may prescribe an antibiotic or drain the boil.

If you have recurring boils, your healthcare provider may collect a sample of the drainage to see what kind of bacteria is causing the infection. Recurring vaginal boils may require a certain antibiotic or be a symptom of an underlying condition.

How are vaginal boils treated?

You can treat most vaginal boils at home. For at-home treatment, you should:

• Apply a warm, moist compress (like a damp washcloth) to the area three to four times per day (this helps draw the pus to the surface and encourages the boil to drain, but use a new washcloth each time)
• Never squeeze, pop or cut open the boil yourself (this can lead to more pain and spread the infection)
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent rubbing and irritation
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen for discomfort
• Keep your vulvar area clean with antibacterial soap and water, and wash your hands before and after touching a vaginal boil
• Clean the boil and cover it with a loose bandage after it begins to drain

In some cases, a vaginal boil doesn’t get better with at-home treatment. It can become quite large and painful and interfere with your daily life. In this case, your provider may:

• Prescribe antibiotics to help the infection heal. Once healing begins, the swelling goes down and you feel less pain. They may also prescribe antibiotics for recurrent infection.
• Drain or lance the boil. Your healthcare provider will make a small incision (cut) to drain the pus from the boil. They’ll likely cover the boil with a gauze bandage. They may still prescribe an antibiotic to prevent additional infection.

Your healthcare provider will determine if at-home care will treat the boil. If they suspect an antibiotic is necessary to speed up healing, they’ll prescribe one.

What medication is used for boils in the private parts?

There are times when your provider will recommend an oral antibiotic to treat a vaginal boil. They’ll prescribe whichever antibiotic they believe works best for you and your health history. There are several different types of antibiotics that can treat a vaginal boil if one becomes necessary for you. If an oral medication doesn’t help, there are also antibiotics that you can get through an IV in your arm. (This is typically not necessary.)

Can I squeeze a boil near my vagina?

You should never squeeze or pop a boil that develops near your vagina. This can cause the infection to spread to other areas. It’ll also make the pain and inflammation worse. Try home remedies that encourage the boil to rupture and drain on its own, like applying warm compresses several times a day.

How do you get rid of a vaginal boil fast?

There isn’t a quick way to get rid of a boil near your vagina. A boil often takes weeks to resolve completely. Antibiotics from your healthcare provider may help speed up the healing process. Don’t try to squeeze or pop a boil to get rid of it. This can spread infection and cause scarring. Applying a warm compress several times a day to the area is the best way to get rid of a vaginal boil.

How can I prevent getting another vaginal boil?

You can’t always prevent a vaginal boil, especially if you have a weakened immune system. There are some things you can do to reduce the chances of getting another boil near your vagina:

• Wash your genital area with antibacterial soap to prevent bacteria from building up and causing infection.
• Avoid shaving your pubic area. Don’t share soap, towels, washcloths or other items that touch your vagina.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before and after touching your genitals.
• Change your underwear daily and after exercise.
• If you have obesity, reaching a weight that’s healthy for you can help because staph bacteria survive on folds of your skin.

How long does it take for a vaginal boil to go away on its own?

Most boils will heal on their own within three weeks. But there’s no set time for how long it takes for a boil to develop or heal. Applying warm compresses can help the boil drain on its own. Taking antibiotics can help speed up the healing time, but healthcare providers don’t always prescribe antibiotics.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Contact your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms:

• Your boil gets large and very painful
• Your boil doesn’t get better within two weeks
• You get more than one boil
• Your boil doesn’t seem any better after several days of at-home treatment
• You get recurrent boils near your vagina
• You have a fever or swollen lymph nodes

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system for any reason and develop a boil, contact your healthcare provider.

Why do I keep getting boils on my private area?

Some people are more prone to getting vaginal boils. Bacteria that enter through your skin and infect a hair follicle cause boils near your vagina. Keeping your genital area clean and practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent recurring boils. If you shave your pubic area with a razor, change your razor often. An old or dull razor can harbor bacteria and cause ingrown hairs.

What do I do if I have a vaginal boil and I am pregnant?

You should tell your healthcare provider if you develop a boil when you’re pregnant. Pregnancy doesn’t cause boils, but certain hormonal and immune system changes could contribute to boils during pregnancy. In most cases, you’ll still follow at-home treatment. Apply a warm compress to the area several times a day to encourage the boil to drain. Depending on your symptoms and the size of the boil, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics.

Can I have sex if I have a boil near my vagina?

If you have a boil near your vagina, it’s best to avoid having sex. Since a boil is an infection, it could spread to your partner during sexual contact. Friction from sex can also irritate the boil.