A pimple on the labia is often an ingrown hair, clogged gland, or folliculitis. Don’t pop it, and see a doctor if it’s painful or recurring.
Common causes
- Ingrown hair.
- Folliculitis.
- Clogged sebaceous gland.
- Bartholin cyst.
- STI (herpes or genital warts).
- Shaving irritation.
Don’t
Pop it. It can spread infection.
Care
Warm compress, loose cotton underwear and no shaving.
See a doctor
If painful, growing, with fever or discharge, or lasts over 2 weeks.
Typical causes
A pimple-like bump on the labia is commonly an ingrown hair, folliculitis, a clogged oil gland or a sebaceous cyst (Fordyce spots are small harmless bumps). Shaving, waxing, tight clothing and sweating increase risk.
- Bartholin gland cysts form near the vaginal opening and can become painful abscesses.
- Genital herpes starts as painful clusters of small blisters or sores, and genital warts cause flesh-colored bumps.
- Molluscum contagiosum causes small firm dome-shaped bumps.
Care
Do not squeeze or pop it. Use warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day, wear loose cotton underwear, and avoid shaving until healed. Keep the area clean with water or gentle soap. See a doctor or gynecologist if the bump is very painful, grows, bleeds, drains pus, is accompanied by fever, or does not heal in 1 to 2 weeks, or if sores appear after a new partner. STI testing is available at clinics.
Typical causes
Pimples on the labia can be ingrown hairs, folliculitis, blocked glands, sebaceous cysts or Bartholin cysts. Shaving and waxing raise risk. Sores that are painful or blister may be herpes.
Care
Avoid squeezing, use warm compresses and keep clean. See a clinician if lumps persist, grow, hurt or come with fever.
Common causes
A pimple in the genital area is usually caused by clogged pores, ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing, folliculitis, a Bartholin cyst, sebaceous cysts or friction from tight clothing. Acne type bumps are common because hair follicles are present on the outer labia.
When to seek care
Most pimples clear on their own in a week or two. Do not squeeze them. Use warm compresses and keep the area clean and dry. See a clinician for a painful, growing or recurrent lump, fever, sores, blisters or lesions that could be a sexually transmitted infection such as herpes, genital warts or syphilis. Hidradenitis suppurativa causes repeated deep lumps. A doctor can drain an abscess if needed. Avoid shaving irritation and wear breathable cotton underwear.
Based on data from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Dermatology
