Bothersome cyst

Earlier, perhaps two weeks ago, i grew what i think was a cyst on my inner labia, on the right, kinda on the softer skin, near the hair follicles, though i heard ingrown hairs are meant to really hurt, so i doubted that was an ingrown hair as i felt no pain *until it got infected that is, though i treated it with aloe vera and echinicia when it got infected...*

When my (cyst?) got infected, the skin growth was rock hard maybe the size of a pea and rapidly shrunk within 5 days, and the surronding area previously inflamed went back to normal, i think this was set off my bacteria, possibilly in a sheet that set it off, i think thats what triggered te infection though thats taken care of.

Its been 8 days now, and the little bump is still there, still not causing me any real problems, im just scared it could have been herpes...although i have a sexual partner it has been about 12 weeks since we last slept toghether and when we have weve used barrier protection, i am also on the pill.  I am afraid that its going to get worse, or if it was herpes even if i have no other symptons.... The cyst was only on one side... O.o

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks more like an infected hair follicle or a cyst rather than herpes sores. Apply hot compresses on the bump. You need to consult a doctor for its drainage or for prescription of antibiotics.

Also get herpes ruled out from a dermatologist. The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for genital herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.