Bumps on the vulva can cause confusion and concern. While many people refer to these small, raised skin lesions as “pimples,” they are frequently a manifestation of common, non-acne skin conditions. The vulva refers to the external female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. Understanding the true nature of these vulvar skin changes is the first step toward effective and safe management.
Common Causes of Vulvar Bumps
The skin of the vulva, which contains hair follicles and oil glands, is prone to several types of benign bumps. One of the most frequent causes is folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles often triggered by bacterial infection. This condition presents as small, red, sometimes pus-filled bumps that can be tender or sore, commonly resulting from friction, sweat, or minor trauma like shaving or waxing.
Ingrown hairs are closely related to folliculitis and occur when a hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin rather than growing out of the follicle. Hair removal methods increase the risk of this happening, especially for individuals with naturally coarse or curly hair. The body treats the trapped hair as a foreign object, causing an inflammatory reaction that results in a raised, sometimes dark-spotted bump that may or may not contain pus.
Cysts are another common finding, which are sacs filled with fluid, air, or other substances that form just beneath the skin’s surface. Sebaceous cysts occur when oil glands become blocked, leading to a palpable, moveable lump that is usually painless unless it becomes infected. Fordyce spots, in contrast, are enlarged sebaceous glands that appear as small, harmless white or yellow spots, particularly on the inner labia, and require no treatment.
Safe Home Management and Treatment
For minor, confirmed non-serious bumps like small ingrown hairs or mild folliculitis, home-based care can often encourage resolution. The application of a warm, moist compress several times a day is a technique to soothe irritation and promote drainage of the bump. Using a clean washcloth soaked in warm water and applied for 10 to 15 minutes can help open the pores and bring the trapped hair or pus closer to the surface.
Maintaining gentle hygiene in the area is important to prevent secondary infection. The vulva should be washed daily with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, followed by gently patting the skin completely dry with a clean towel. Resist the urge to squeeze, pick, or pop any bump, as this action can push the infection deeper into the skin, worsen the inflammation, and potentially lead to scarring. If the bump is a result of hair removal, avoiding shaving, waxing, or plucking the area until the bump has fully resolved will prevent further irritation and allow the skin to heal.
Essential Prevention Strategies
Long-term management focuses on reducing friction and moisture that can trigger folliculitis and ingrown hairs. A simple yet effective change is to modify clothing choices by wearing breathable cotton underwear, which allows air circulation and minimizes moisture buildup. Avoiding tight-fitting clothing, such as restrictive leggings or synthetic fabrics, reduces the continuous rubbing against the vulvar skin that often causes irritation and follicle damage.
Adjusting hair removal practices can significantly lower the risk of developing future bumps. If shaving is preferred, using a clean, sharp, single-blade razor and shaving in the direction of hair growth can minimize trauma to the follicles. Applying a proper shaving gel and washing the skin with a gentle cleanser before shaving are also helpful steps. Alternatives like trimming pubic hair or considering professional laser hair removal can drastically decrease the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
Good general hygiene also plays a large role in prevention, especially after physical activity. Showering promptly after exercise or any activity that causes excessive sweating is necessary to remove sweat, bacteria, and oil from the skin’s surface before they can clog pores. Regularly washing towels and washcloths in hot, soapy water helps to remove bacteria and prevent reinfection.
When Professional Medical Consultation is Necessary
While most vulvar bumps are benign and resolve with simple home care, certain signs require professional medical evaluation. Seek consultation if the bump:
- Persists for several weeks without any sign of improvement or if it rapidly changes in size, shape, or color.
- Is accompanied by intense or rapidly worsening pain, fever, or red streaking extending from the bump, which may indicate a more serious infection requiring prescription antibiotics.
- Is recurrent, appears in clusters, or is accompanied by other symptoms like unusual discharge, generalized rash, or persistent, severe itching.
- Resembles an open sore, blister, or wart-like growth, or if you have had recent exposure to a sexually transmitted infection.
These symptoms signal conditions beyond a simple ingrown hair or folliculitis, making a medical assessment the safest course of action for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.