Why Do I Get Pimples on the Outside of My Vagina?

**Lesions on and around your vagina are usually not a serious health issue.

** In most cases they cause mild discomfort and are not cosmetically pleasing.

However, certain conditions are possibly life threatening if left untreated. Some of these conditions are also transmittable to other people.

Skin Conditions

Acne and contact dermatitis are conditions that can cause pimples on the outside and near the outside of your vagina 3. Acne is caused by overactive oil glands and abnormal skin skin shedding; in women, hormones play an important role, too. Acne may develop on a woman's skin a few days before her period and during pregnancy; both are times when hormonal changes occur in a woman's body. **These can be treated with topical agents or hormonal medications.

** Dermatitis is caused by an adverse reaction to products such as skin creams, lubricants or hair-removal creams. According to MayoClinic.com, contact dermatitis can be treated by simply removing the irritant, or by using antihistamines or corticosteroids 3.

Yeast

Causes of External Vaginal Itching

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Yeast infection can also be a cause of pimples and lesions on the skin.

Yeast, such as candida albicans, causes skin irritation, which can cause you to develop small sores and pimples. This condition also causes itching of the vaginal area.

This condition can infect your sexual partner as well as spread to other parts of your body. Treat this condition using antifungal medications and a specialized anticandida diet.

Viral

According to the American Public Health Association, herpes is a one of the most common viral conditions. It can causes pimple-like lesions on and around the outside of the vagina. It is infectious; the first infection causes fever, muscle pain, fatigue and headache. These symptoms are followed by the outbreak of painful lesions. Herpes in the genital area is most likely caused by the herpes simplex 2 virus. This infection is treated with antiviral medications.

Warts are another infectious condition that can cause small bumps around your vagina.

This condition is infectious and can spread to other parts of your body. They are treated using topical agents, freezing therapy or surgically.

Bacterial

Vaginal Acne

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**Bacterial disease such as syphilis, chancroid and acne can cause pimples around the vagina.

** Syphilis and chancroid cause painful pimple-like lumps on or around a woman's genitalia.

Both of these conditions are infectious and cause similar shaped bumps on the area where the infection penetrates the body. Bumps caused by syphilis are painful, however, while those caused by chancroid are not. Both of these conditions are treated with antibiotic medication.

Bacteria-related acne is caused by an excess or imbalance of bacteria on the skin. This can be treated with topical or oral antibiotics.

Complications

Many of these conditions can cause complications. Acne can cause deep painful cysts, which can end up causing scars. Herpes can spread to other parts of the body, causing blindness. **In rare occasions, it can lead to meningitis and death.

Syphilis, if left untreated, can cause an array of conditions as the disease progresses and can even be fatal.

** According to the American Public Health Association, syphilis can also infect your unborn child, causing serious health problems. If you have any pimples on or near your vagina consult with your physician.