• Irritation or a blocked small gland from friction, tight clothes, pads, soaps, shaving products, or sweat
• A small cyst or blocked Bartholin gland. This is usually a lump near one side of the vaginal opening, more often lower down
• Infection, if it is increasingly painful, swollen, warm, red, or has pus
• STIs, such as herpes, especially if there are painful blisters, ulcers, tingling, or multiple spots. Genital warts are usually painless, skin-colored growths rather than pimples.

Safe home care

• Do not squeeze, pop, prick, or shave over it. This can worsen infection or cause an abscess.
• Apply a warm, clean compress or sit in a shallow warm bath for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily.
• Wash gently with plain lukewarm water only. Avoid scented soaps, vaginal washes, deodorants, bubble bath, wet wipes, and antiseptics.
• Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear and avoid friction, cycling, and sex if sore.
• If you can take them safely, acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen may help pain. Follow the label and avoid ibuprofen if you have reasons not to use it, such as an ulcer, kidney disease, blood thinners, or pregnancy unless advised by a clinician.

Get medical care urgently today if

• It becomes rapidly larger or very painful
• There is fever, feeling unwell, spreading redness, warmth, or pus
• You cannot sit, walk, or pass urine comfortably
• You are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have diabetes
• You have painful blisters/ulcers or possible recent STI exposure