[CrystalChord]

I have had this for the past week or so. I noticed a small sized lump just on the outside of my labia (i think that's what it's called, it's just outside the more "puffy part" of my vaginal opening), near the very end of my vaginal lips, towards my perenium, but not quite there.

Well this thing has grown to the size of a peanut. It's uncomfortable when touched, but doesn't itch or anything.

Heat seems to shrink it, but only a little, and it just won't drain! There's a spot where it feels like it COULD drain, but it just won't pop or anything. Squeezing it produces a dull, but painful, ache. I can't tell if it's moving under the skin or not; it feels too hard and my skin is very thick in that area.It feels like it goes into the skin about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.

I am wondering what this thing is? I see things online like "Vaginal cancer" and I get very worried.

I know it is not an STD such as genital herpes. My tests in June came back clean, and I have not been sexually active for two and a half years.

Has anyone had these before? What are they? What did you do to get rid of them? Any advice would be useful as I don't want my mother to complain about taking me to my OBGYN...

[ItsASecret]

I am wondering what this thing is? I see things online like "Vaginal cancer" and I get very worried.

There is no problem with general concern, cancer is a problem when it is the first thing you think of though. Gotta get your mind off of thinking it is cancer cause chances are it is not.

If this growth is protruding out into a mass sort of just laying on top of your otherwise normal skin then it is something to think about going to the doctor about. But if your just feeling around and thinking that there is a lump and that thought is taking over as something like cancer then it is of less concern, fat can move in isolated masses feeling like some weird growth knob. That said, any growth observed to be increasing in size under the skin or not is something you should be making an appointment with at least your GP if your mom won't let you see an OBGYN.

[JadedQueen]

It sounds like what you have is a skin abcess (boil). It's very common, irritating and often very painful. One way to get rid of it faster is to put warm compresses on it several times a day which will bring it more to the surface allowing it to pop and drain. You can always poke it with a needle but if you pop it before it's ready there is a chance that it won't properly drain and several months from now you will have another one in the same spot. Hot/Warm compressess will work and when it is draining make sure you have some peroxide handy to prevent any infections.

[CrystalChord]

ItsASecret: My mom complains about taking me anywhere that involves doctors, because of my hypochondria. I've gotten much better though; I've been seeing a therapist at my University and I've been able to work through most of that problem. I'll talk to her when she gets home tonight about making an appointment to see what can be done. I'd prefer to go to my OBG because she is female. My GP is male, and I would be very uncomfortable with a guy (even my boyfriend) looking in places that are supposed to be, er...well...private.

JadedQueen: Skin abcesses? That sounds gross...How long do these things last? I know that my skin is probably still irritated, because there was one day where I had about three finals at my University and was so scatter-brained that I forgot to carry extra pads with me and so had to wear the one for longer than usual, which really did cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. I brought this upon myself I suppose, though. But I'd like to get it fixed!

[ItsASecret]

I understand your mom has reservations about bringing you to a doctor because of your hypochondriasis but a growth sometimes needs to be looked at, IF it is a growth and not a benign lump of fat.

Boils are uncomfortable but not the end of the world, usually they stick around until they decide to pop or you try to pop them but either way it is likely going to hurt.

[CrystalChord]

ItsASecret: I've been sitting about with a warm cloth on the irritating little bully for about 45 minutes, interspersed with leaving it alone. The thing seems to move with my skin, and with heat, it reduces substantially. I'm hoping that now that I know how to treat it (sort of), it may just go away.

[Guest]

There is this stuff called "Pine Tar" it comes in a tube, put some on a gauze and wrap it, that might draw it out...

[CrystalChord]

I took a bath with some epsom salts, which seemed to shrink it as well. I think until I can talk to my mum, I'll just keep applying heat to it.

SidneyAlive: Where can I find that item, and what exactly does it do?

[CrystalChord]

Sorry for the double post. It is now 12:28 on the 17th of December. I still have the bumpy thing. It's uncomfortable only when squeezed or agitated. When I touch it (and this is going to sound gross), it feels like I'm moving it against something else, like a piece of skin or something.

There's no head on it, it's just a raised, reddish bump that's tender to squeeze. Touching it produces only mild discomfort.

I was wondering: Would hot epsom salt baths work to reduce the size of this, or should I just go for a heating pad/warm compress on this thing alone? If i treat it with said remedies, how long before it may go away? And if it disappears, does that mean it just....liquified into my system or what?

[Guest]

I took a bath with some epsom salts, which seemed to shrink it as well. I think until I can talk to my mum, I'll just keep applying heat to it.

SidneyAlive: Where can I find that item, and what exactly does it do?

You should be able to pick it up at any drug store, it will draw out the puss, if thers is any in there..