Something else? Ask Aunt Vadge – bottom left of your screen!
Dear Aunt Vadge,
I was shaving down there and accidentally cut myself on the inner labia. When I pee it bleeds and burns. Is there a cream I can use, or does it heal itself?
Sincerely,
Shaved
Age 19, Miami, Florida
Dear Shaved,
A shaving nick like this heals itself, so you don’t need anything special – just protect it while it does. A thin smear of a plain barrier like paw paw ointment or Vaseline over the cut shields it from your underwear and from urine while the skin knits back together.
When you pee, take a cup of warm water to the toilet and pour it over your vulva as you go: it dilutes the acidic urine so it doesn’t sting or set the bleeding off, which is by far the most uncomfortable part of a cut down there.
Otherwise, leave it alone to heal – no shaving over it, wash with plain water only, skip soaps and scented products, and wear loose cotton so nothing rubs. A small nick usually closes over within a few days.
The only reasons to see a doctor would be if it doesn’t start improving, keeps bleeding, or you notice spreading redness, swelling, heat or pus, which would suggest infection. But for an ordinary razor cut, a little barrier ointment, the warm-water trick and a few days’ patience are all it needs.
For soothing and healing minor cuts and tears, here’s how to deal with cuts and tears from fingering and rough sex.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
