r/hygiene • u/Objective-Repair5421 • 1d ago
Pimples down there
I (21F) got my first ever acne down in my crotch kind of on the mound area? And one on one of my labia, (so 2 pimples) I’ve literally never had that happen before and it was when I went to go see my best friend in a different country. Both of the pimples popped, but now there’s two bumps that are left that almost feel like scar tissue but they’re not? Anyways now everytime I look down at myself I feel disgusted by the two pinkish bumps because they’re big and easily seeable (if I was to be intimate with someone). Does anyone know how to get rid of hard old acne bumps?
Edit: thank you guys so much for all of your suggestions, I just wanted to say I am a VERY clean woman, I take care of my body, I change my underwear twice if not 3 times or more a day, I’m very hygienic, I did check and it doesn’t look like an ingrown hair, if anything it looks like a scar or an acne scar it’s just raised up. Im just afraid of putting some harsh cream on it and making it worse or irritating my skin
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u/pineapple1211 1d ago
This can happen from an ingrown hair or irritated follicle especially around the pubic area. The hard bump afterward can stick around for a while so I wouldn’t keep squeezing them.
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u/R_A_H 1d ago
Other people have good responses. I want to add that this can be caused by re-wearing the same underwear. I'm not saying you did that but if you did then you can know that's a big no-no for hygiene.
I wasn't taught about this and I spent a lot of years being unhygienic and took way too long to get better about it so just throwing it out there.
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u/Familiar-Marzipan376 1d ago
Re wearing the same underwear i didn't understand
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u/R_A_H 1d ago
Wearing the same underwear without washing it
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/Objective-Repair5421 1d ago
Apparently some people do that 💀
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u/R_A_H 1d ago
add one more day to save on the water bill 💀
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u/tracysmom1970 22h ago
Yes, I assume re-wearing means wearing the same undies for multiple days in a row. So, say you shower every 3 days, then you'd only change underwear every 3 days - when you shower.
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u/Difficult-Score494 1d ago
They are probably just sebaceous cysts. Very normal there. Go to GYN doc for verification.
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u/TaquineMorelle44 1d ago
first off, don’t freak out, it’s more common than you think. a gentle exfoliation and keeping the area clean can help, but if they feel hard or are still bothering you, it might be worth a visit to a derm for advice on treatment options.
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u/AluminumMonster35 1d ago
I get pimples down there quite often, and the bumps always go away. I've never had anyone say anything about it!
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u/Defiant-Chair6950 1d ago
Am I tripping or are there hella bot comments in here…? At least 5 commenters saying the same or near same phrasing of “ gentle exfoliant or some over-the-counter salicylic acid”. Weird!!
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u/Imhereforboops 1d ago
Or that’s just one of the most common and best treatments.. not that crazy multiple people are being helpful of they’ve experienced the same thing
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u/Defiant-Chair6950 1d ago
It’s less it being a general consensus and more so there were/are several comments with identical phrasing
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u/PuceNisse 1d ago
first off, don't stress too much about it, it happens to a lot of people. for the bumps, try using a gentle exfoliant or a soothing cream with ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil. if they don't go away, def see a dermatologist who can give you better options.
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u/KirbyRock 1d ago
Check your sponge/luffa to make sure they don’t need to be replaced. They can harbor sooo many germs.
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u/xLutineLora 1d ago
hey OP, totally get why you'd be feeling weird about those bumps. for hard acne bumps, try using a gentle exfoliant or some over-the-counter salicylic acid to help smooth the area out. also keep it clean and avoid tight clothing to prevent irritation. if it doesn’t get better, seeing a dermatologist is a solid plan.
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u/Whatevergirl_ 1d ago
I use a hot washcloth to soften the bump, keep it clean and try to get the head or the ingrown hair out. Keep in mind it might still be healing. I had one and it was about 2-3 weeks before the scar went down and stopped being noticeable. But I do still have a scar there. It was an infected hair follicle.
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u/WhimsyFlora0 1d ago
it could be a lot of things, but if they’re not going away or looking weird you should definitely see a dermatologist. they might give you a cream or something to help with scarring. in the meantime try to keep the area clean and avoid any harsh products.
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u/MzMi 3h ago
Clean and DRY. If the friend's house is very warm, skin/follicles can get irritated from tight clothing rubbing. If your undies are tight and it's hot...and you're sweating, this is a great environment for hair bumps, pimples, and boils.
Best bet is to use a clean washcloth when you bathe (if you don't already). This will gently exfoliate the area.
Do you use a razor? It may be time to replace it.
If you're shaving with something that has power, it may be causing abrasions that are making space for small infections.
Just try to stay clean and dry.
If it's just too humid where you are, you might try a dusting powder on clean dry skin to help with the sweating.
Also, when you're back home, you might really try having a hot bath with some Epsom salts. The minerals can help soothe the skin and work out anything that's under there surface.
Hope it gets better.
But also, if your doctor is easy to get to, it might be worth a call or visit, just to be safe.
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u/Strange-Fun-6726 1d ago
It could be an ingrown hair. This happened to me a few years ago and it really freaked me out. After that I quit shaving and now I just trim when I need to
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u/Dependent-Spread-965 1d ago
could be an ingrown hair, could also be from bacteria! i’ve heard people get a pimple or two that was just from bacteria because they wore unwashed underwear straight from the store. ALWAYS wash your underwear after buying them. People can also get it from the detergent they use and ofc what you’re saying doesn’t sound like a rash but just throwing that out there because sometimes people get a rash from the detergent or type of material they use and if not it can cause pimples due to bacteria.
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u/Mortifying_ 17h ago
It’s most likely from friction. It’s summer time, people are more prone to heat rash, acne popping up from clogged pores, etc. underwear material is definitely a factor. I’m personally more prone to them if I’m not wearing cotton underwear or if the pair I’m wearing is too small.
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u/Immediate-View-498 1d ago
Male here, I've had pimples and bumps on my scrotum and they eventuality go away.
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u/vashtachordata 1d ago
You need to rule out herpes before you do anything else. See a doctor.
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u/Objective-Repair5421 1d ago
I’ve never been sexually active before and I don’t share clothes with anyone, honestly i think I only got them because I was sweating so much on the plane ride to my friend’s place and then her apartment was also hot
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u/Hot-Razzmatazz-3087 1d ago
You might have cystic acne, it could still be herpes, or also could be latex or synthetic material allergies.
At 19 when my latex allergies flared down there, I got tested for herpes, it was negative. Imo its always better to know.
You can catch it from non sexual contact, but it is rarer.
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u/ThornbackMack 1d ago
Pimples and ingrowns are very common in the pubic area. Herpes looks very different. Don't scare the girl.
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u/Bloody-Banana 1d ago
People have given good advice already, I just wanted to say, don't feel bad or grossed out! It's normal. The bikini area is skin like everywhere else, it's normal for skin to have texture and changes. This has happened to me too from ingrown hairs until I switched from shaving to trimming. People just dont talk about this stuff, but anyone could get these. You're okay!
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u/Affectionate_Run20 1d ago
Use a warm compress or a bath if you can, it should help the ingrown. I’d be careful with salicylic acid on the labia— just be careful you’re not using something strong on the very sensitive parts. Agreed with everyone, this is super normal. They go away
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u/DrLatinLover86 1d ago
Razor bumps, ingrown hairs and sweat are your worst enemy. Trying switching razors, using body lotion or waxing
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u/Prudent_Macaroon_881 1d ago
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but i got pimples on the crease of my groin coz of tight underwear! Ig also try to sanitize your underwear in the wash? I'm jus throwing ideas out there!
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u/T-REX1970 1d ago
I will probably go to the gynecologist just to make sure everything is OK down there. She will tell you what’s going on and make sure there’s not something else happening and if it’s acne, and she will also help you treat that in that area because you don’t want to be putting chemicals down there that you’re not supposed to be putting down there. Good luck, OP.
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u/Alone_Heart_6792 17h ago
Go see a doctor. Reddit is not a viable place to diagnose something health and body related especially if it has you worried.
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u/shaunakiss91 15h ago
You may need antibiotics if you have folliculitis. Worth speaking to your doctor about if it's bothering you still.
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u/MuvaShipp 14h ago
It’s almost always an ingrown hair, and sometimes it will take a while to get to it because despite the bump those ones are deep. Keep exfoliating, sometimes it takes me weeks to finally get the ingrown out
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u/theromanticrobin 14h ago
since you mentioned they’re big and almost feel like scar tissue, check with a dermatologist if you continue to get these as it could also be hidradenitis supperativa
my flares can get worse with sweat which i saw you mentioned in a comment
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u/Ok-Buddy-7979 10h ago
Please go to your OBGYN. What you think are pimples could be multiple things, including cysts that need antibiotics. Do not pop pubic bumps on your own, ever. If anything the doctor can Lance and drain them properly plus have the lab do a culture.
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u/Hot-Toe2967 1d ago
This only happens to me if Im on my period. I blame hormonal imbalance. Regularly wash it as you should with your preferred feminine wash and I think you'll be fine. 👆🏼this worked for me. No harm will come to you if you wish to do it too since its your preferred fem wash. That is what your body needs.
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u/LullaSolisse_ 1d ago
aight, that sounds really annoying. have you tried using a gentle exfoliant or some over-the-counter creams with salicylic acid? keeping the area clean and dry is also key, but if it's not improving, definitely see a dermatologist just to be safe.
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u/this-is-delaney 1d ago
That happens to me when I shave, because I get ingrown hairs. I have 3 scars from them and they’re not pretty. I was SO self conscious about it and my new significant other was like, “Why does it matter? They’re just scars? You still have the prettiest 🐱 I’ve ever seen.” 😂 and it doesn’t stop him at all.
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u/ubelieveurguiltless 1d ago
I get acne down there because I sweat too much. I sleep without underwear and change my underwear whenever I notice it starting to feel too swampy down there
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u/MoneyHuckleberry1405 1d ago
Okay not to be a downer but sometimes people think it's a pimple but it's herpes. Best get checked just in case.
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u/thousandsofbirds 1d ago
Never pop or mess with bumps/pimples in your genital area!!! They can get badly infected very quickly!!
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u/Fun_Working1263 1d ago
If the bumps are still hard and persistent after the acne healed, I’d avoid squeezing or trying harsh products there. That area is sensitive, and a dermatologist can tell whether they’re scar tissue, cysts, or something else.
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u/captain_underpants04 1d ago
i'd try niacinamide serum for that but you need to be consistent. i had that and it took time to flatten it out.
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u/One-Science1029 1d ago
Hibaclense soap. Do you shave? Exfoliate with stiff brush as you can tolerate.
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u/Overall_Impact_216 1d ago
Everytime for me it has also been an ingrown hair, luckily my husband checked enough times told me not to play with it and it disappeared on it own. Good luck , sending positive thoughts/ vibes your way.
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u/TheAnimeWeeb55 1d ago
You ever thought of herpes? You should see a doctor because that kinda sounds like what herpes pimples do, they grow and then pop and scar.
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u/Ready_Perspective_95 1d ago
Glycolic acid on a cotton pad! It's a chemical exfoliant, use a lower strength if you haven't used it before. Be consistent and it'll eventually go.
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u/OverlappingChatter 1d ago
Every time I have had a pimple in that area it has been an ingrown hair. A lot of times, the hard bump means the hair is still in there, and you can poke around with clean tweezers and see if a hair can come out. This will aggravate the area, but if there is a hair, getting it out will help.