Boils are pus-filled, inflamed bumps that form under the skin. They can develop in the skin folds of the groin, on the labia, and around the vaginal opening.

Boils are rarely a cause for concern. Most will clear up on their own in a couple of weeks. A few may need medical treatment. Treatment can help ease the pain and clear up the infection.

In severe cases, your healthcare professional may lance or cut the boil to drain the infection.

A boil often starts as a small red bump. It may resemble a pimple initially, but it can develop into a swollen, painful sore with a pus-filled white or yellow tip.

Boils may remain small, but some can grow to the size of a walnut.

In most cases, a boil develops when a hair follicle is impacted, causing an infection. This is known as folliculitis.

These boils can have other causes, too, such as:

  • A staph infection: Staphylococcus aureus (also known as staph) naturally lives on the outside of your body and in the opening of your nose. If the bacterium makes its way into the roots of the hair (the hair follicles), an infection can develop.
  • A cut in the skin: Staph and other bacteria can enter the body through minor cuts that occur while shaving or from an injury. Once bacteria enter the body, they can develop into an infection.
  • Irritation: Friction from tight clothes can cause small tears and make the area more susceptible to infection. Skin folds that rub can also cause friction and irritation.
  • Blocked Bartholin’s gland: Bartholin’s glands are pea-sized glands around the vaginal opening. If these glands become blocked, cysts may form, and the cysts could become infected.

Most boils will go away without medical intervention within a week or two. You can help ease the symptoms and speed up the process by taking the following steps:

1. Wash your hands

Before you touch the boil or surrounding area, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. This will help keep you from introducing new bacteria to the boil.

Wash your hands after you’ve touched the boil, too, to prevent spreading the infection to other areas of your body.

2. Apply a warm compress

Place a clean, warm, wet washcloth over the boil, and leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this process three or four times a day until the boil is gone.

The heat from the compress helps promote more blood circulation, so white blood cells can fight off the remaining infection.

3. Cleanse and cover the area

If the boil bursts, clean the area thoroughly and apply an antibiotic ointment, such as combined bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B (Neosporin).

Then, cover with sterile gauze or an adhesive bandage. Keep the area clean, and change the dressing daily.

4. Don’t pop or prick the boil

Avoid picking or piercing the bump. Opening the boil releases the bacteria and can spread the infection. You may also make the pain and tenderness worse.

5. Opt for loose bottoms until it heals

Until the boil disappears, reduce friction in the area, and wear loose underwear and clothing. After workouts, change into clean, dry underwear.

6. Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers

OTC pain medication may be necessary to ease the pain and inflammation the boil causes. Take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) per the package directions.

If these home remedies don’t help or the boil doesn’t clear up within 3 weeks, make an appointment with your gynecologist or doctor.

Most boils will remain small and can be treated at home. But if the infection grows larger, begins to spread, or shows signs of worsening, you may need medical treatment from a doctor.

The following symptoms may be a sign that the infection is worsening:

  • fever
  • chills or cold sweats
  • a bump that grows rapidly
  • a bump that’s extremely painful
  • a bump that’s larger than 2 inches wide
  • a boil that doesn’t clear up after 3 weeks

Your doctor has two primary treatment options if the boil is too severe for home remedy treatments:

  • Lance and drain: If the boil is extremely painful or large, your doctor may lance or cut the bump to drain the pus and fluid. Boils with a severe infection may need to be drained more than once. Your doctor will use sterile equipment, so don’t attempt to do this at home.
  • Antibiotics: Severe or recurrent infections may need antibiotics to prevent future boils. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics after the boil is drained to prevent secondary infection.

Preventing boils isn’t always possible, but these tips may help reduce your risk:

  • Avoid sharing personal items: The bacteria responsible for a boil is easily transmitted by sharing used razors, towels, washcloths, and other intimate items.
  • Wash your hands: Before and after you touch your genitals, wash your hands with an antibacterial soap. This can help stop the spread of infection-causing bacteria.
  • Gently exfoliate your pubic mound and labia:Removing dead skin cells reduces the risk of ingrown hairs.
  • Consider trimming instead of shaving: Trimming your pubic hair with sharp, clean scissors reduces the risk of ingrown hairs. If you choose to shave, change razors or blades every 3 to 4 weeks. Use a shaving lotion or cream to add extra moisture to your skin and reduce friction.

Most boils will shrink and disappear within a couple of weeks and will respond to at-home treatments.

If you notice that a boil hasn’t improved, is getting worse, or shows signs of infection, it’s important to seek medical attention.

Larger, more severe boils will likely need to be lanced and drained and possibly treated with antibiotics.