So you're doing a regular check on your downstairs area (as you should!). You're feeling around, looking at various angles with your hand mirror, when all of a sudden your finger runs over a bump. It looks like a blister filled with pus. The image is a bit jarring, but don't freak out. What you're seeing is probably a vaginal boil. And while getting any bump on the vulva area can be nerve-racking, vaginal boils are pretty harmless. (Though potentially painful.)

Lumps and bumps always make people nervous because the mind goes immediately to the worst possible thing, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, an ob-gyn in Westchester County, New York—like a type of cancer or a sexually transmitted infection. But "most vulvar bumps are benign and in fact quite common," Dr. Dweck says.

Now, let's get a little bit more specific about this particular condition itself. The following is what you need to know about vaginal boils, including what they are exactly and how to treat them safely.

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What exactly is a boil?

Boils are infections that occur in the skin and hair glands, Dr. Dweck says. "They are puss-filled and similar to a pimple," she notes. Visually they will look red or swollen, and you might even see pus oozing out of the boil, if it's in its later stages.

Know that "vaginal" boils are more likely to form on the vulva rather than near the vaginal opening or inside the vaginal canal, Dweck says. That means you'll find vagina boils on the soft outer lips (the labia) or near where the vagina meets your inner legs (where lots of rubbing or chafing might occur).

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Vagina boils are quite common and, again, they are often benign, Dr. Dweck says.

What are the symptoms of a boil in the vaginal area?

Again, vagina boils are red, puss-filled and bulbous lesions, Dr. Dweck says, likely resembling a large pimple on your nether regions. (If you're having trouble viewing your vagina boil, try grabbing a hand mirror and holding it underneath your vulva to get a better look.)

When it comes to symptoms, you'll likely feel a vagina boil before you see it, per se. Physically they will likely feel painful or bruise-like, Dr. Dweck says, and might also be inflamed and come in multiples rather than just a single boil.

Why does a boil surface in the area around the vagina anyway?

If you're someone who regularly removes your pubic hair or the leg hair around your vulva area, you might be more prone to vaginal boils than others, Dr. Dweck explains. This is especially true shortly after the hair removal, especially if you opt in to waxing or shaving.

"Boils tend to form in hair-bearing areas that are moist, and not easily aerated," Dr. Dweck says. This makes your vagina the perfect storm kind of area for vagina boil formulation, given that it typically has a breadth of hair growth and can be a bit constricted in tight underwear or clothing.

You can also get boils for similar reasons on other areas of your body, Dr. Dweck says, most commonly near or on your underarms (another hairy, sweaty and must-prone area).

How long does it take for a vaginal boil to go away?

In short, a vaginal boil will typically take anywhere from a few days to two weeks to go away. It may disappear on its own or, like a pimple, it may even come to a head, Dr. Dweck says.

A boil may even pop completely on its own, excreting a whitish, pus-like material, she says. At times you might find blood coming out of it. If this happens, be sure to disinfect the area, apply healing ointment like Neosporin and, if possible, cover the boil with a bandage.

Definitely avoid any further hair removal at this point, as it can only further irritate your vaginal boil situation. You'll likely need to wait for the boil's pus to drain completely before you notice any healing occurring, Dr. Dweck notes.

Are there any ways to get rid of a vaginal boil fast?

If you come down with a vaginal boil, definitely do not try to squeeze or pop it yourself—that can make the pain and inflammation worse, and it's likely that the infection will spread, says Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica, California.

Instead, use a warm compress to relieve discomfort, wear loose pants and underwear so you're not restricting the area, and give it time to heal, Dr. Ross says. As mentioned, you can also apply a topical antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage to speed up the process, Dr. Dweck says.

All in all, your vaginal boil should drain spontaneously on its own, Dr. Dweck says.

Should I be worried about any complications of a boil?

Vaginal boils have the potential to develop into a severe skin infection called cellulitis, Dr. Dweck says, although it's unlikely.

Cellulitis is caused by a crack or lesion that allows for bacteria to come through the skin barrier, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is why you should definitely not pop or squeeze a vagina boil. If left untreated, cellulitis spreads rapidly to your lymph nodes, which can be life-threatening.

And while it's super rare, it's also possible for an open vaginal boil to allow for the contraction of bacteria that could lead to sepsis or a blood infection, Dr. Dweck says. Again, these issues are caused by harmful bacteria making its way past your skin barrier—so steer clear of rupturing the vagina boil, and you should be just fine.

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When should I see a doctor for a boil?

If your vaginal boil persists after days and weeks, is growing larger in size, is accompanied by red streaks around the skin, or you develop a fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms, visit your gynecologist for medical attention, Dr. Dweck says. They may prescribe antibiotics and, if necessary, safely lance and drain the boil to help get rid of the infection, Dr. Ross says.