To ask about labia. TMI, sorry

[weirdenergy]

This isn't an AIBU but I am panicking slightly and I am hoping someone who knows their stuff will see this.

I've had a small painless lump on my inner labia for some time. It wasn't problematic so I was hoping to would go away. It's inner, not outer, so no shaving rash, ingrown hairs or similar.

I just showered and when I washed, it hurt like hell. It's really sore and seems to have got bigger.

I will get a doctors appointment but it takes forever to see anyone and, honestly, I am alarmed, probably because I have a family history of reproductive cancer. I've read about Bartholin blockage but I don't think this is in the right place (maybe I'm wrong)

Can someone please tell me - can we get infected boils on our labia minora?

If so, is there anything I can use to keep it clean/fight infection in the meantime? I don't want to use anything topical unless I know it's safe for mucus membrane.

Sorry about the TMI, thanks in advance.

It could well be a blocked pore. Have you been able to have a look at it? Does it look like there's a head?

I'd give it a few days and see what happens before trying to battle for a GP appt. I have used tea tree oil on my labia before, it does feel quite.... fresh, let's say, but didn't cause any issues. I am used to using it topically though so took a punt.

Maybe hottish saltwater on a folded over Flannel, do a compress and see if it comes up...?

Bartholin's cysts possibly?
The Bartholin's glands are on each side of your vagina. If they get blocked, a cyst (a tender or painful lump) can form. The cyst can become infected, with a build-up of pus that will need to be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes Bartholin's cysts can develop into an abscess.

www.healthdirect.gov.au/labia-problems

Bartholins cyst or maybe a blocked pore? I’d give it a few days, have some hot baths to draw any infection out and if no change book an appointment.

You can deffo get boils and cysts/spots on the labia.

Try taking a pic to get a better look.

Thanks for the fast responses.

@Backinthedress I couldn’t tell from the diagram I saw with the Bartholin’s blockage if it was actually on the labia. I sort of thought it would be sort of in a bit (highly technical language, sorry!)

@beetr00 I have tea tree oil so could give it a shot, do you use it neat? Can’t see a head. Google seems silent on boils on the inner labia.

I have hidradenitis supprativa and get these all the time
They hurt! Usually go down by themselves or burst. I ignore anything under golf ball size unless it's weird looking for me
You can also get spots like anywhere and they're more painful there

@Merryoldgoat and @35965a

hugely relieved to know these are a thing. Somehow I’ve got through forty plus years without anything like this, absolutely bricked it 😬

I was also going to suggest a Bartholins cyst.

If you’re worried, book a gp appointment.

If it has a head you might be able to squeeze the skank out… 🤩😱

Golf balls, bloody hell. I am sorry to hear that, but you are a stoic. Thanks for letting me know, feeling calmer.

Sounds like a cyst that's got infected. Keep an eye on it overnight if it gets worse or you start feeling feverish/fluey go to minor injuries otherwise go to your GP on Monday if it's not burst by then.

Oh I get quite a lot of spots, which are large and excruciating, on my labia- sometimes very far in. Awful!!!! I usually just wash, occasionally have a squeeze if it looks like it will help and they always go.
i freaked out the first time (mid 40s) and I now all but grin and bear it (50) .

I had one of these this week! I squeezed and it was v painful but was instant relief when it popped.

Argh, you are all really brave, it’s really freaking me out. I hope it’s just cos I thought it might be something more sinister, am usually dead hard (honest)

it takes days if not weeks to see a GP anyway so I will try the suggested treatments first.

@weirdenergy I've posted about this today, over in Sporner corner; I've been considering using Magnesium Sulfate (never used it before so posted asking about that).
This is the second time, and I (wouldn't recommend) but used a needle the first time to drain that one 😬

Forgot to say that hot baths are probably the best way to go, I use Epsom salts in them too
I wouldn't use anything else in that area

I wouldnt say blocked pore at all.
And I personally (HCP) wouldnt mess about eapecially giving the family history. I would get on the phone asap to the GP and be very frank. You need it looked into.
Even if just a cyst if it has now become painful and been there for some time it may becoming infected. So yeah get it seem to. Don't DIY anything at home.

I had a similar experience years ago. When I was in the bath, I was able to get a look and see it had a head. I gave it a squeeze and couldn't believe how much came out - it was disgusting. But never came back!

Hot baths and Savlon cream to soften it,it'll get bigger and you can give it a squeeze. Don't panic.

Thanks. I’m going to try to get a GP appointment, but the health service is under phenomenal pressure around here and I might be waiting a while. I suspect I’m just being daft worrying about cancer, I know it’s unlikely to be that, but it’s just that little voice saying ‘what about your mum?’ That’s probably just anxiety though so in the meantime I’m going to try the Epsom bath and a dab of Savlon as per @Paw2024 @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor Would you reckon that could make anything ‘bad’ worse?

I had this once. It was rock solid and stayed for ages and then went away. With your family history though I'd probably make an appointment with the GP in the morning and get it checked out.

If you phone in the morning and say you are concerned you have cancer because you have a lump they will probably get you an emergency appointment

Don’t do what I did once which was to put a homemade poultice on it, which didn’t help at best and possibly made it worse. I got told off by my GP who said to always go in for antibiotics for an infected cyst.

I wouldn’t put undiluted tea tree oil on it either. It’s very harsh.

Worth getting it checked if you’re concerned and have family history of cancer. I get exactly what you described regularly - they are painful and have no head cause the tend to feel deep in the tissue. They go away themselves, for me, if it’s really bothering me, I used tea tree on them. I haven’t found a way to avoid them…but other than the pain, they are harmless.

You’re right but there are people who have cancer and can’t get to see anyone and I’d just feel such a prick when/if it’s a boil, rationally I know I’m probably putting two and two together and getting a billion.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and reassurance, I am going to try a couple of the less invasive things and get onto the GP.