Why do acne appear on the labia of women?
Rash in the intimate area occurs for various reasons, and therefore has different characteristics and requires separate approaches to treatment. Main provoking factors:
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules leads to the formation of small inflamed pimples on the lips, sometimes with purulent contents. With proper treatment, the rash goes away within a week.
- Hypothermia and overheating cause a decrease in local immunity. As a result, one large, hard, painful pimple forms on the epithelium of the lips major or minor, or, less often, several.
- Herpes virus - transmitted during sexual contact, provokes small watery pimples on the skin. The disease is accompanied by fever and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) has different modes of transmission. On the mucous membrane of the small lips it causes genital warts. On the skin of the labia majora and other parts of the body it manifests itself as papillomas (warts).
- Hormonal imbalance and endocrine diseases cause painful red pimples on the skin of the lips. They pass as soon as the root cause of their appearance is eliminated.
- An allergic reaction is a small itchy rash, sometimes with transparent contents. Provoking factors are scented pads, cosmetic and hygienic detergents, and artificial fabric underwear.
Wearing tight synthetic underwear also leads to irritation of the skin in the perineum, inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of small multiple seals on the large lips.
Subcutaneous formations
Pimples inside the vagina, which look like tubercles, do not cause discomfort and are easily palpable, can develop for the following reasons:
- The development of wen as a result of blockage of the sebaceous glands. This phenomenon is not dangerous to health; in severe cases, surgery may be required.
- Disorder of the functionality of the sebaceous glands. In this case, the formations may change in size, but do not cause discomfort. They do not pose a threat to health and are an individual feature of a woman’s body.
- Immune system disorders, autoimmune diseases. This pathology requires treatment. With such disorders, the pimples on the vaginal lips will hurt.
Molluscum contagiosum appears in the form of a dense small nodule. This pathology develops with weakened immunity, the presence of arthritis, and also in those who are prone to allergic reactions. The formation disappears spontaneously, but can be observed within two years.
Cysts of the Bartholin glands, which are located in the vagina, may also be observed. When the glands become blocked, benign growths develop that do not cause pain. They usually do not require therapy. But when infected, they become inflamed and filled with purulent contents, and therefore require treatment with antibacterial drugs.
How is it diagnosed?
A specialist (gynecologist, venereologist) must examine the woman in a gynecological chair. He evaluates the condition of acne-affected lips, the size and structure of pathological elements. To clarify the reason why a painful internal pimple or purulent acne may have appeared, a set of examinations is prescribed:
- Taking a smear for hidden infections - biomaterial is collected from the vagina, cervix and cervical canal.
- PCR analysis to detect any pathogens. The biological material is a scraping or smear from the urethra, cervix, venous blood - if herpes or papillomavirus is suspected.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - venous blood is tested for the presence of antibodies to various types of infections.
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is necessary to identify pathological changes in the reproductive system.
- General analysis of urine and blood - prescribed to detect problems with other internal organs.
The effectiveness of treatment for acne on the skin of the vulva depends on the correct diagnosis. Therefore, at an appointment with a doctor, the patient must answer standard questions for this case. Among them: when the rash appeared, whether there are chronic diseases, whether there was accidental unprotected sexual contact.
When should you see a doctor?
Rashes often indicate the presence of a serious illness. Consultation with a specialist is necessary in the following cases:
- Acne does not disappear within 1 week. It does not matter whether they remain externally unchanged, decrease in size, or, on the contrary, progress.
- The rash is accompanied by the appearance of alarming symptoms. These include: itching and burning in the genital area, swelling, unpleasant odor, unusual discharge.
- If the formation of red acne is accompanied by peeling of nearby tissues.
- The rash is watery.
- Single lesions or multiple pimples appeared after sexual intercourse with a new partner. You should be especially wary if a barrier contraceptive was not used during intimacy.
- Against the background of acne formation, body temperature rises and lymph nodes enlarge.
- At the site of the rash, wounds remain that do not heal for a long time.
- Acne causes intense pain.
If these conditions are present, only a doctor will be able to accurately determine the cause of the rash and create the most effective treatment regimen.
How to get rid of acne on the labia
Internal and external medications help eliminate acne on the vagina and labia quickly and without relapse. They are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the cause and severity of the rash. Boils and genital warts are removed surgically. During the period of acne treatment, the rules of intimate hygiene should not be neglected.
Genital hygiene
If an internal pimple appears near the labia, you should replace your usual intimate hygiene product with simple baby soap. Cosmetic formulations contain fragrances and other additives that can aggravate ongoing irritation of the labia majora.
It is recommended to remove hair in the bikini area not with a razor, but with a gentle depilatory cream (Evelyn, Veet).
Pads and tampons should be changed every 3-4 hours during menstruation.
Medications
To treat different types of acne on the labia majora and labia minora, different medicinal formulations are prescribed:
- Genital warts at the entrance to the vagina are eliminated using laser therapy, liquid nitrogen, a surgical scalpel or an electric knife. In parallel, drugs with antiviral and anti-relapse effects are prescribed (tablets Yodantipirin, Cycloferon).
- A painful boil with a purulent, not yet matured core inside is treated with antibacterial agents (Lincomycin, Amoxiclav tablets, Levomekol ointment). If the formation increases in size, it is opened.
- Superficial purulent pimples are treated with peroxide, chlorhexidine or salicylic acid before going to the doctor. The doctor prescribes medications for pustules based on the cause of their appearance. Infectious acne is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Therapy for genital herpes is carried out with antiviral drugs (Acyclovir tablets, Interferon, Gerpferon ointment).
For any acne, in order to strengthen the immune system, multivitamins (Aevit, Vitrum Beauty, Alphabet Cosmetic) and immunostimulating agents (tea tree oil, Alfarekin) are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Home remedies for treating acne caused by hypothermia, poor hygiene, or improper depilation:
- If a single red pimple has formed on the outside of the large lip, then it is burned with salicylic acid. To make a purulent pimple burst faster, apply a compress with Vishnevsky ointment at night.
- Multiple small rashes are eliminated by mixing almond, olive, sea buckthorn and hawthorn oil in equal quantities. The composition is wiped over damaged skin 3 times a day.
- Colds and internal acne are treated with a mixture of calendula tincture (50 ml) and tea tree oil (2 drops). It is applied pointwise with a cotton swab up to 4 times a day.
It is impossible to cure acne caused by a disease of the internal genital organs at home without eliminating the root cause of their appearance.
Treatment
Depending on the disease diagnosed by the doctor, treatment methods differ.
- Syphilis. Antibacterial therapy with penicillin, cephalosporins or macrolides is prescribed. The duration of therapy depends on the stage at which the disease was detected.
- Genital herpes. It is impossible to completely cure the disease. During the period of exacerbation, antiviral drugs and agents for treating rashes are taken to reduce itching and burning.
- Bartholinitis. In this disease, the cyst is marsupialized (removed). To prevent infection, a course of antibiotics is given. Relapses occur in approximately 10% of cases.
- Pediculosis pubis. To get rid of blood-sucking parasites, it is enough to shave off all the hair on the pubic area or in the armpits (that is, remove their habitat). You can use special sprays and shampoos.
- Molluscum contagiosum. The disease can go away on its own within 6 months to a year. Both surgical treatment (electrocoagulation, cryodestruction, laser, excision) and medication (mainly aimed at strengthening the immune system) are possible.
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What not to do
Pimples on the genitals should not be squeezed or punctured. But some women do this when a white, purulent pimple pops up. After mechanical impact, the inflamed area swells greatly. As a result, it is impossible to move painlessly.
New growths on the labia with watery contents are the first sign of genital herpes. After squeezing, the number of bubbles on the lips major and minor increases. The woman begins to feel an unbearable tugging pain in the affected area.
Why are pimples on the genitals of women dangerous?
A large subcutaneous pimple on the labia may be a symptom of HIV infection, syphilis or viral hepatitis. If the formation does not go away for a long time, and similar elements of the rash appear nearby, the woman should immediately consult a doctor. She and her sexual partner will be prescribed a PCR test for viral infections.
Leaving the pathology untreated, a woman risks remaining infertile. If an infectious rash appears during pregnancy, this may adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Preventing rashes
It is not difficult to avoid the appearance of pimples in intimate places. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- If you have sensitive skin, do not shave your bikini area with a razor.
- In the morning and evening, wash your intimate area (first the labia, then the anus) with baby liquid soap (Umka) or intimate gel (Lactacid). The last option is ideal if a pimple pops up on the pussy of a girl over 3 years old.
- Use only your personal items for intimate hygiene.
- Don't sit on cold seats.
- Wear underwear only made from natural fabric.
- Avoid scented pads.
- Treat any emerging illnesses promptly.
With age, the risk of developing pathological changes in the internal organs of the small pelvis increases, which is manifested by a rash on the skin in an intimate place. Therefore, be sure to visit your gynecologist twice a year and carefully follow all his recommendations.