Boils on the vagina

definition

Boils are painful, purulent inflammations of the skin that can occur primarily in hairy areas.

The infection of a hair follicle in the pubic area forms an inflammatory lump that can lie deep in the skin. Boils in or on the vagina are particularly uncomfortable, as they not only cause pain and problems, but the women affected are often reluctant to see a doctor.

Symptoms of a boil on the vagina

A boil on or in the vagina can cause great pain. People have problems sitting and urinating or defecating.Standing or walking can also cause pain and be perceived as uncomfortable.

The boil is clearly visible as a pressure-sensitive lump and usually has a purulent elevation in the middle. The skin around the inflammation is very red, swollen, and warm to the touch.
In the case of large boils, it can also be that a general feeling of illness comes along and those affected feel tired and exhausted.

An increased temperature can also appear as a symptom of a boil in the genital area. This can be a sign that the bacteria are spreading in the body. In such cases, those affected should see a doctor immediately.

Causes of a boil on the vagina

A boil is caused by a previous inflammation of the hair follicle. Bacteria from the normal skin flora enter the hair follicle and cause an infection there. As a result, the body reacts with an inflammatory reaction that creates pus. A common cause of boils and purulent inflammation on the skin is the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The pathogens migrate along the hair shaft under the skin, multiply there and the body reacts with inflammation. As part of the immune reaction, defense cells and skin tissue as well as some of the bacteria die and pus forms.

Often boils develop on the vagina after a wet shave. If the razor is no longer sharp enough, small injuries occur, through which the pathogens can penetrate the skin and cause an infection. Tight pants or rough underwear can also chafe the skin and cause small wounds, which in turn promotes the development of a boil.

Another cause of boils on the vagina is a weakened immune system that cannot fight the bacteria effectively (e.g. patients with diabetes mellitus). The warm and humid climate in the genital area also encourages the bacteria to multiply.

Find out more about the topic here: Causes of a boil

The diagnosis

A boil in or on the vagina is diagnosed by its typical appearance. The skin around the purulent lump is warm and reddened. The boil can be up to 2 cm in diameter.

In some cases, the specific pathogen can be identified by means of a smear and a subsequent medical laboratory examination in order to be able to determine a suitable antibiotic therapy. In most cases, however, this is not necessary.

You might also be interested in this topic: Pus in the vagina

Treatment of a boil on the vagina

Small boils on or in the vagina do not necessarily need to be treated. Usually the inflammation heals on its own.

Treatment must be given if the boils are larger or if the pain is too severe. The boil should never be expressed independently, as this can spread the inflammation into the surrounding tissue. The bacteria can also spread into the blood. This is a potentially life-threatening situation that can lead to blood poisoning, multiple organ failure or a brain abscess.

Smaller abscesses can be treated with a pull ointment. This special ointment promotes blood circulation and matures the boil. This means that the pus comes to the surface from deep within the tissue. There the pus either drains spontaneously or a doctor cuts open the boil and lets the pus drain away.
In the case of large boils, the surrounding tissue may also have to be cut out. The wound is then rinsed with antiseptic agents and the patient may be given antibiotics.

Since a large number of bacteria occur in the genital area, great care must be taken to ensure adequate hygiene, otherwise the wound can quickly become infected again.

Find out more about the topic here: the correct treatment of a boil

The duration of the treatment

The duration of a boil on or in the vagina depends on the size of the inflammation. Small boils usually heal on their own within a few days.

Larger boils can lead to severe discomfort, which is why a doctor should be consulted in such cases. After the boil is surgically removed, the wound heals quickly.

Also read the article: The duration of a boil.

Different locations

Boils on the labia

Boils can also form on the labia. The foci of inflammation look like purulent pimples and can appear on both the inner and outer labia. The boils arise from an inflammation of the hair follicle that spreads into the adjacent tissue.

Boils can also result from injuries to the labia, for example from genital piercings, or from abrasive underwear. Due to their localization, boils on the labia are particularly uncomfortable and every movement causes pain for the women concerned.

If the boil is very large and causes severe pain, you should see a doctor immediately.

You can find more on this topic here: Boils on the labia

Boils between the vagina and the anus

A boil can also form between the vagina and anus in women. Due to the proximity to the anus, the penetration of bacteria via hair follicles into the deep layers of the skin is favored.
This leads to an inflammatory reaction and the formation of a boil. Depending on the size of the boil and the severity of the inflammation, the boil can cause pain as well as problems with defecating.

If the boil does not empty and heal on its own, a doctor will need to remove the boil between the vagina and anus.

Read more on the subject here Boils on the bottom

Boils in pregnancy

Many women develop boils in or on the vagina during pregnancy. The pregnancy weakens the immune system of women, on the one hand because the maturation of the child costs the pregnant woman a lot of strength and on the other hand because the embryonic tissue has to be tolerated by the immune system.
This allows bacteria to multiply more easily in the hair follicles of the genital area and promote the formation of a boil.

In the event of boils on the vagina during pregnancy, a doctor must be consulted immediately who will remove the boil properly. In no case should the boil itself be expressed, otherwise there is a risk that the infection will spread and harm the unborn child.