Causes of Vaginal (Genital) Boils and How To Get Rid of Them

Key takeaways:

• Vaginal or genital boils are not very serious and are quite common. However, they need to be treated if they persist.
• Vaginal boils are mainly caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Ingrown hair, cuts, or insect bites can increase your risk of this bacterial infection.
• Treatments for vaginal boils include the use of medications like antibiotics. Home remedies like a warm compress and sitz baths can help vagina boils heal faster.

Vaginal boils, medically known as furuncles or skin abscesses, are pus-filled swellings that occur in the pubic region.

A better term for vaginal boils should be "genital boils" because they refer to boils that affect the external genital region, like the mon pubis (the hair-covered fatty tissue layer on the pubic bone), the labia major, or vaginal lips (two skin folds that protect the external genital area), and sometimes the inner thighs. 

Vaginal boils are usually not serious and are quite common. They start out like pimples and may appear reddish at the early stage. In a few days, they become larger with a pus-filled, whitish tip; some boils can be as wide as a paper clip. An enlarged boil usually feels tender and soft to the touch.

What cause vaginal boils?

Vaginal boils are primarily caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which is responsible for several skin infections. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium found on healthy individuals' skin and mucosal membranes where it does not cause infection. 

This bacteria only causes infection when it enters the bloodstream or breaks into broken skin. Sometimes, a cluster of boils called caruncles can form on an infected area in the pubic region. 

Risk factors that can predispose you to a bacterial infection include the following: 

1. Ingrown hairs or pseudofolliculitis

Ingrown hair occurs when hair grows back into the skin instead of outward. The wrong shaving technique can cause ingrown hairs, which can become itchy with time.

Repeated scratching can cause irritation and possibly skin breakage, increasing the risk of infection. Folliculitis is the term used to refer to a hair follicle infection.

2. Cuts and insect bites

Poor dressing and cleaning of cuts in the pubic region can lead to an infection that can cause vaginal boils. Like ingrown hairs, excessively scratching insect bites can break your skin and create an entry point for bacteria. 

3. Hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic medical condition characterized by the development of uncomfortable and painful lesions, such as abscesses and nodules, in areas of the body with sweat glands. These typically occur in regions like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.

Hair follicle blockages cause the condition; however, the exact cause of these blockages remains unclear. Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing HS, including a family history of the condition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and pre-existing medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes.

Risk factors for vaginal boils

Some risk factors for developing vagina boils include:

1. Poor personal hygiene

Poor hygiene in your pubic area can cause a build-up of bacteria that can infect the hair follicles in your pubic area and cause vagina boils. 

2. Weak immune system

This is especially common among people with chronic medical conditions that weaken their immune systems. These people have fewer defenses against pathogens, making them vulnerable to skin infections, such as boils and skin abscesses, even in the pubic area. 

3. Diabetes

This is a chronic disease caused by high blood sugar levels. Due to their weak immune systems, people with diabetes are prone to skin abscesses, which can occur in the genital region. Cuts and wounds don’t heal fast due to poor circulation, increasing the risk of bacterial infections. 

Are vaginal boils contagious?

Yes, vagina boils can be contagious. Skin-to-skin or indirect contact via items that have been in contact with the pus from a boil can transmit the bacteria that causes vagina boils. This happens when the bacteria comes in contact with broken skin. 

Health professionals recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after touching a boil, not sharing towels and other personal items, and taking extra care with cleaning and disinfecting after draining a boil.

How to get rid of vaginal boils

While most boils heal independently, home remedies can speed up the process. You should consult a doctor if a boil is unusually large or refuses to drain even after applying home remedies. 

Home remedies for vaginal boils

Some common home remedies for vaginal boils include:

Heat compress

Using a heat compress filled with warm water on your vaginal boil will draw out the pus to the surface and make the boil drain faster.

In the absence of a heat compress, you can soak a clean washcloth in warm water containing antiseptic, squeeze out the water, and use it to pat the boil gently. 

Comfortable underwear and pants

Wearing tight underwear and pants is not ideal if you have a vaginal boil because it will rub against the boil and irritate it. This can cause pain and discomfort. You should opt for loose, breathable underwear and comfortable pants to prevent this and help the boil heal faster.

A sitz bath

Sitz bath is a hydrotherapy technique that involves sitting in shallow, warm water that covers the buttocks and hips. A sitz bath improves blood circulation to the skin surface, opening the pores of the skin, and helps vaginal boils to drain more easily.

You can use a sitz bath kit or simply soak in a clean bathtub containing three to four inches of warm water.

Medical treatment for boils

If a boil doesn’t resolve or drain independently, a doctor can help. Your doctor will disinfect the area around the boil and then make an incision to drain it. After the boil is drained, the cavity left behind is cleaned and dressed with a sterile bandage. 

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat severe or recurrent infections. The antibiotic kills the bacteria and relieves any associated symptoms. 

• Seeing a doctor: When the boil is very large and filled with pus, a gynecologist will make an incision to drain the boil. After this procedure, they clean out the infected area and recommend that you do the same often to prevent transmission to uninfected areas. 
• Antibiotics: If normal treatments aren't working, your doctor may prescribe the appropriate antibiotics to prevent the drained boil from infecting.

Things to avoid if you have vaginal boils

If you have vaginal boils, do not:

• Self-medicate with antibiotics 
• Wear tight underwear or pants 
• Touch the boil without washing your hands 
• Share razors, towels, or personal items 
• Pop, squeeze, or pierce the boil with a sharp object

When to see a doctor for vaginal boils

You should see a doctor if:

• The boils are large and painful
• You are running a temperature or have a fever
• There are signs of infection, such as swollen lymph nodes
• There’s no improvement after two weeks of home treatment
• You notice a painless swelling in your vaginal opening

Conclusion

Vaginal boils are often caused by bacterial infection due to broken skin around the pubic region, and they vary in size. People with diabetes, a weak immune system, and poor personal hygiene are at increased risk of having vaginal boils. 

Home remedies, such as a warm compress, sitz bath, and over-the-counter medications, can help your boil heal faster and reduce pain. Consult a doctor if you notice abnormal or serious symptoms or if home remedies don’t work.