What Causes Small Boil Type Growths On The Genital Area?

Posted on Thu, 22 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 Answered on

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Over the last few months, I have had several small boil-type growths in my genital area. They appear one at a time and are there for a few days, then go away. Normally they have been round, firm and painful to the touch. I have treated them with warm, wet compress. I currently have one that is very painful and about an inch long. It is on the outer lips of the vagina, near the perineum. It looks to be swollen when compared to the other side. It has been bothering me for about 4 days and doesn't seem to be shrinking. I have had these through the year, maybe one a year, but never like this one. Any ideas about what I should do?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Keep the area clean and dry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health Care Magic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. You need to keep your genital area clean and dry. There are a lot of hair follicles as well as oil secreting glands (sebaceous glands) in this area. Unless kept properly clean, sweat accumulates, hair follicles may get infected, or the openings of the sebaceous glands get blocked due to dirt. This leads to infected boils like the one you mention.

As of now, you need to wash the area regularly and periodically. Apply some antibiotic ointment like Mupirocin over the boil. With all these, it should gradually subside. If in any case, redness increases or spreads, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor without delay.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (52 minutes later)

Thank you. I do shower daily but will do more throughout the day and use the ointment. I have done that in the past but wasn't sure if I should or not.
I appreciate your help.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
I am glad to know that you appreciate the information that I have provided. Let me know if I could be of any further assistance. Do not hesitate to contact me back directly if you ever have a health related query in the future.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar