No matter how diligent you are about keeping your skin squeaky clean and your pores clear, acne has a way of showing up at the worst possible times—and sometimes, in the worst possible places. Like on your v**ina. Don’t freak out, though: Vaginal acne is totally normal.
“Vaginal acne isn’t as common as acne on the face, back, chest, and underarms, but it’s not rare, either,” says Kyrin Dunston, MD, board-certified ob/gyn at Signature Functional Medicine in Georgia. While a zit-related incident down there is totally normal, she says, it’s rarely a persistent problem.
What Causes It?
Acne down there strikes for similar reasons to facial acne—namely, it’s secondary to an excessive production of sebum (oil) within a narrowed hair follicle, says Kecia Gaither, MD, double board-certified ob/gyn in New York. Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation can also cause vaginal acne, along with bacterial overgrowth in the pores, dead skin cell accumulation, ingrown hairs in the private part area, and, not surprisingly, stress.
How Do You Recognize It?
Fortunately, it’s not hard to distinguish vaginal acne from other types of bumps. “If it looks just like a pimple on your face, you’ll know that’s what it is,” says Dunston. Pimples may also cause slightly more discomfort than ingrown hairs because they typically contain more fluids.
Vaginal acne is usually no biggie—however, if they’re numerous or recurrent or persistent, then you’ll want to check in with your gyno. “Some STDs will present with bumps similar to acne, but they’re usually numerous and don’t resolve on their own,” says Dunston. If a lesion persists for more than a week, or it’s associated with vaginal itching, odor, or discharge, it’s best to get checked out right away.
How Do You Treat It?
If you do spot vaginal acne, there are plenty of ways to send it packing. Below, Dunson and Gaither share their favorite products to help get rid of acne down yonder. No matter which product you choose, though, use it carefully on the keratinized skin only (the thicker part with the hair), and steer clear of the mucosal skin
How Do You Prevent Vaginal Acne?
The best way to prevent vaginal acne is to establish healthy habits down below. For starters, keep the vaginal area clean and dry, and wear cotton-crotched panties for breathability and to decrease moisture accumulation. (“Bacteria love dark, damp places,” says Gaither, so no hanging out in your gym duds.) Also, consider setting a limit on how often you shave the pubic area, which increases the odds of infected hair follicles, she adds. And if you do find a pimple, don’t pop, pick, or manipulate it. This will only make your v**ina angry—or worse, give you a skin infection called cellulitis. (Ouch.)
source: Womenshealth
via: INFORMATION NIGERIA
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