Red warning signs may appear if you get strange pimples and blisters in your genital region.
Could this be herpes? Is it simply an ingrown hair, though?
You can use this guide to learn how the two common sores differ from one another and what to do if you believe you have one of them.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Even for skilled medical professionals, it might be challenging to identify these common lumps at times.
✅ To make a diagnosis, they could employ one or more medical tests. You can have a blood test to see if you have HSV.
✅ To rule out other potential causes, your doctor might do a comprehensive STI screening test. Your doctor might consider alternative theories if these tests are negative.
✅ These include cysts, clogged oil glands, and ingrown hairs.
✅ But keep in mind that pimples in the vaginal area can frequently be caused by ingrown hairs.
✅ If you are worried, consult your doctor. Your anxiety may be reduced thanks to them.
Identification of a herpes sore
One of the herpes simplex viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is what causes herpes sore close to your vagina or penis (HSV-2). The more prevalent HSV-2 is present in almost one in five adult Americans.
Cold sores or fever blisters can be brought on by HSV-1, often known as oral herpes. HSV-1 prevalence is rising in the vaginal region.
A cluster of blister-like watery sores or lesions, bumps that are normally smaller than 2 millimeters, recurrent breakouts of these sores, yellow discharge if the sore ruptures, sores that may be sensitive to the touch, headache, and fever are all signs of genital herpes.
Sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, can result in the transmission of common STIs, such as HSV-2. Kissing is another method of HSV-1 transmission.
Some herpes patients never exhibit any symptoms of the virus. The virus may stay in your body for years without causing any symptoms. However, in the first year after receiving the virus, some people could have frequent outbreaks.
The first infection phase may also bring on a fever and a general sense of being unwell. Future outbreaks will probably see milder symptoms. Herpes has no known cause or effective treatment to stop the sores from developing.
Instead, to control herpes outbreaks, your doctor can recommend an antiviral drug. Any lesion outbreaks you do experience could be less severe or for less time if you take this medication.
How to spot a razor bump or ingrown hair
Red, tender lumps in your vaginal region are sometimes brought on by ingrown hair. Small bumps and blisters in the vaginal area can also result from razor burn, a bothersome skin abrasion that can arise after shaving.
In most cases, hair can penetrate the skin as it develops. The hair can occasionally become blocked or grow in an odd direction. It can have a hard time penetrating your skin’s surface. An ingrown hair results from this.
A solitary sore or isolated bump, a small, red bump, a bump with a pimple-like head, itching, tenderness around the bump, inflammation, soreness, and white pus if the sore is squeezed or ruptured are all signs of an ingrown hair.
Ingrown hairs in the vaginal region can become more common if you wax, shave, or pluck your hair, but some hairs simply grow in odd directions. Ingrown hairs can therefore appear at any time.
A clogged hair follicle may get infected. Because of this, some ingrown hairs produce surface pimples filled with white pus. Additional inflammation and soreness may be brought on by the infection. Ingrown hairs often manifest as localized sores or lumps, unlike genital herpes.
They do not develop in groups or clusters. There could be several ingrown hairs present at once. This is more likely following waxing or shaving of the hair surrounding your penis or vagina.
You might spot a shadow or thin line in the center of an ingrown hair if you look at it attentively. Frequently, it is that hair that is the trouble. Don’t discount the chance of an ingrown hair just because you can’t see this line or shadow, as not all ingrown hairs are apparent from the outside.
When an ingrown hair is removed or breaks through the skin, the sore usually goes away on its own and disappears.
When should I go and visit a doctor?
Within a few days or a week, an ingrown hair will usually go away on its own. When you take a shower, gently wash the affected area to assist remove any dead skin cells. If you do this, the hair may be able to penetrate the skin.
The accompanying symptoms will also go away as a result of this. Don’t give in to the urge to squeeze the pustule. You run the risk of scarring or worsening the infection.
Similarly to this, genital warts could go away by themselves after a few days or weeks. But they’ll probably come back. Herpes breakouts might occur frequently for some persons and rarely for others.
You should consult a doctor if you can’t figure out what’s causing your genital bumps or if they don’t go gone in two weeks.