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Hi Aunty Vadge,
I thought I might’ve cut myself shaving – I started getting discomfort about 12 hours after shaving, though I didn’t feel a nick. The cut is in my inner labia and has started scabbing over, but it looks a little yellow with redness around it, and it hurts so much I keep shifting to sit comfortably.
There are two bumps on the other labia that seem to be caused by the cut. I cleaned it with alcohol and put Neosporin on it, but that made it hurt worse. I haven’t been sexually active in the last six months.
The sore appeared a few days ago and I just want it to go. There isn’t really blood now, but the outer edges looked like there was before.
Sincerely,
Sore
Dear Sore,
First, two things to stop doing, because they’re making it worse: don’t put alcohol or an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin on it. Alcohol stings and dries delicate skin, and Neosporin is a common cause of allergic irritation on the vulva – which is very likely why it hurt more after you used them.
Switch to the gentlest possible care: rinse with plain warm water only, pat dry, wear loose cotton, and leave it alone.
As for what it is, a sore that came up about 12 hours after shaving, in the inner labia, with the two little bumps nearby, is most likely shaving-related – an irritated or infected hair follicle (folliculitis) or a shaving nick that’s reacting.
The yellow, scabby look with redness can just be normal healing, but it can also mean a bit of infection has set in, which the alcohol and Neosporin may have aggravated.
With the area this sore, and given it’s getting in the way of even sitting comfortably, it’s worth having a doctor or nurse look – not because it’s likely serious (it isn’t), but because if there’s infection it may need a proper cream or a short course of treatment to settle, and they can tell in a moment.
I hear that seeing a doctor feels uncomfortable, and that’s completely understandable – but please know they deal with shaving bumps and sore spots like this all the time, with zero fuss or judgement; it’s a routine, quick thing for them.
It really helps to tell a trusted adult, like a parent or a school nurse, who can take you and make it less daunting. In the meantime, keep it to plain water only, don’t shave that area again until it’s fully healed, and don’t squeeze the bumps.
Get seen sooner rather than later if it spreads, the pain worsens, it oozes more pus, or you feel unwell – but mostly, stop the harsh products, be gentle, and let a grown-up help you get it checked.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
