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Why Do I Have Painful Hard Knots In The Vaginal Area?
I awoke to some painful hard knots on the outside of my vaginal area. One has ruptured. It looked like a large black head. There s a couple more that have developed. One on the opposite side has a head and is really painful. I m diabetic and have lymphedema in both legs. Please advise.
posted on
Mon, 5 Nov 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 27 Jul 2025
Answered on
Sun, 3 Aug 2025
Last reviewed on
Hello,
A blocked gland near the vaginal opening that fills with fluid and can become infected and form an abscess is suggestive of a Bartholin's cyst. However, it can also be a furuncle (boil) or carbuncle. You are advised to maintain hygiene of your genital area. Keep it clean. Get clinically examined by a gynae or visit the ER and get your private area examined and evaluated.
Do not squeeze or pop the lumps, as it may cause infection to spread. Diabetics are more prone to these due to poor immune response. Poor lymph drainage can contribute to chronic swelling, reduced immune clearance, and skin infections. Since you're diabetic, control your blood sugar level at all costs. Get a culture of the fluid (if ruptured) done at the earliest.
If needed, the abscess will be drained and antiseptic dressing done so that healing will be faster. A course of oral antibiotics and analgesics will be given. Complications or recurrent abscesses can be prevented with early treatment. Get treated at the earliest.
Taking a warm compress is helpful. You can take Combiflam, one stat, after food to get relief from pain. You may be given antibiotic shots for a better recovery. Get treated for lymphoedema. Do not neglect. Stay active everyday and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr Nupur K., General & Family Physician
A blocked gland near the vaginal opening that fills with fluid and can become infected and form an abscess is suggestive of a Bartholin's cyst. However, it can also be a furuncle (boil) or carbuncle. You are advised to maintain hygiene of your genital area. Keep it clean. Get clinically examined by a gynae or visit the ER and get your private area examined and evaluated.
Do not squeeze or pop the lumps, as it may cause infection to spread. Diabetics are more prone to these due to poor immune response. Poor lymph drainage can contribute to chronic swelling, reduced immune clearance, and skin infections. Since you're diabetic, control your blood sugar level at all costs. Get a culture of the fluid (if ruptured) done at the earliest.
If needed, the abscess will be drained and antiseptic dressing done so that healing will be faster. A course of oral antibiotics and analgesics will be given. Complications or recurrent abscesses can be prevented with early treatment. Get treated at the earliest.
Taking a warm compress is helpful. You can take Combiflam, one stat, after food to get relief from pain. You may be given antibiotic shots for a better recovery. Get treated for lymphoedema. Do not neglect. Stay active everyday and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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