once again, not quite on topic i'm afraid...

[urania.livejournal.com]

...but please give me some reassurance here! :)

(also: potential TMI warning--too much info etc)

So i've developed what seems to be a boil or pimple on my labia. It's sort of hard, feels fluid-filled, and the skin's a little stretched there though it hasn't formed a "head." It doesn't really hurt unless i touch it, but it itches some. I'm getting it checked out at the campus clinic (just mainly to reassure m'self it's nothing i could have passed on to my boy, though the chances of that i think are slim-to-none as we both are each other's only partener, ever; though no, we don't use condoms, and yes, i know we should) but I can't really think of anything else it *could* be other than a pimple/boil.

What else can do this? I was thinking.. maybe it formed because my skin was irritated by some of the lotion we were using? Or just decided to pimple randomly?... What else could do this? Input/advice/reassurance?

(i'm trying not to be paranoid.. really...)

Comments

inner labia, or outer?

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Wet parts or dry?

Some folks (*raising hand*) are prone to sebaceous cysts on the inner lips, which feel exactly as you describe. Doctors can lance them, but mine usually pop by themselves, if I don't get to them first.

Then there are bartholin's cysts, which can be similar, but are specfically at the bartholin's glands near the entrance to the vagina. It's a good idea to have a doctor take care of those, but also that a doctor checks out your cysts, if you've never had them before.

If that's what it is (yes, sebaceous cysts are essentially a type of pimple), it's not an STD. I've found that I get them less regularly if I use a baby wipe (unscented) to wipe front-to-back after bowel movements rather than toilet paper, and generally to use a baby wipe to clean the area about twice a day regardless of toileting. And when I get them, it's in waves. I've been getting them for about 10 years now, each time in waves where I get 10 or so within a 12 month period, then none or few for 3 years or so, then another wave. . . .

They're annoying but harmless.

Re: inner labia, or outer?

[urania.livejournal.com]

yeah, inner... so yes, "wet parts" :)

i've never gotten them before, though, which is why i'm getting it checked... but thank you *grin*

[sweetalyssm.livejournal.com]

It could be an ingrown hair, or just as you thought, just a regular pimple/boil. That area isn't immune to developing these, just like any other part of your body. Going to the clinic would probably be a good idea, just so they can treat it now. You certainly don't want it to be lanced if they don't have to. They will probably give you antibiotics.

[valancyjane.livejournal.com]

I get those, too ... I have hidradenitis supparutiva, which can cause boils in the groin area, so I thought it might be an outbreak of that, but then I was also afraid it might be herpes (I like to borrow trouble).

Mine are not so much on the labia, more up on the mons area. Irritating when I touch them, but not so bad the rest of the time.

Glad I'm not the only one (well, not glad, but you know what I mean) ... I was beginning to feel like quite a freak!!

[urania.livejournal.com]

*grin* i went to the doc today... (and she did a pelvic exam and it *didn't* hurt this time! yay! *sigh of relief)...and she said this was probably just a fluid-filled cyst, and all i need to do is watch and make sure it doesn't get infected.

this makes me very happy.

thanks to all of you!