How do I treat a bump on my labia?

Last updated on October 23, 2020

Question:

I have a bump on the outside of my labia.  I am completely a virgin, so it can’t be an STD.  It looks like a pimple, hurts only when touched, and is hard to the touch.  What can it be?  And how can I treat it without my mom finding out?

Answer:

Since you haven’t done anything wrong, there would be no reason to fear your mom finding out. As she probably could tell you, having been a teenage girl herself, you likely got a pimple down there. We usually think of acne only affecting the face, but it can appear anywhere there is skin on the body. Probably the easiest way to take care of it is to soak a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and clean the area. Hydrogen peroxide kills germs and also dries up oils. Treat it once in the morning and once at night. If you don’t see improvements in a day or two, switch to something with benzoyl peroxide in it. You have to be careful with this as it will bleach the color out of most clothing that it comes in contact with. Only if you don’t see an improvement in a day or two would I suggest trying an antibiotic ointment. Use it sparingly as the oils in the ointment can cause additional breakouts. If none of these methods work, then you will need to break down and ask for a doctor’s appointment because you’ll probably need something stronger.