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Sore, swollen lump on inner thigh by bikini line

A few days ago I noticed a sore, reddish swollen lump on my left inner thigh, right along my bikini line. It has since gotten larger (about the size of a nickel, and more elongated now).

It only feels sore if I press on it or rub against it. It seems like a soft lump that moves around with the skin. Last night I applied a warm washcloth to it for about 30 minutes, which made it feel better.

Could this be a swollen lymph node, or maybe an ingrown hair? It is located in the area where I shave daily.

Any advice would be very appreciated!
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1808850 tn?1316373725
Hi everyone, I couldn't be happier or more relieved to find these posts! I am 24 years old and I have been suffering with these terrible lumps, boils, cysts...whatever you'd like to call them for years and years now, since I was 12 and older. It started off only once and while and now it's like I'm constantly fighting these things. They go away for a while and then come back with a vengeance. They pretty much only happen on my inner thighs but recently have started under my armpits. I have never had the courage to go to the doctor for them. While I was lump free I went to the OBGYN and got tested for every STD under the sun and I was clean. Nothing at all! So I know it's not an STD. Sometimes they randomly will pop themselves at night or while I'm at work. It oozes out blood and puss. It's so disgusting but there is no smell! I have been with my husband for 4 years now and he's so so amazing, he never says a thing about it. He's so understanding and since he knows it's not an STD he is ok with it. He is always trying to make me feel sexy but it's hard when you have these unsightly things on your body, esp right in plain view while having sex. Anyway, I'm thankful for him being understanding. I wish there was a cure for this. I have to be conscious of the scars on my inner thighs while trying to find swim suites and shorts. I just feel so alone sometimes. I want to be able to have the freedom to wear a bikini and show off my legs but thus far it is impossible. It looks like a battlefield of scarring down there. :(   It looks like some of you out there have found ways to make it a little less intense. I am going to try ALL of these till I find something that can help. I hope everyone out there suffering with this problem will find a way to relieve the pain and scaring and embarrassment! Glad to know I'm not alone!  Good luck to all of you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi it's such a releif to see thta others are experiencing similar results. I am 32 a mother of three kids are 11,13,15. In the last three yeras my body has gone CRAZY. I have adult acne.hot flashes through out the day and night major mood swings lots of hair coming out all the time. I think I can manke a wig a week. I continue to keep yeast and bacteria a have discharge on a daily basis i know i chnage panties 5or6times a day and use a box of huggie wipes a week.heeellllp!!!!!!! Even bladder is leAKING ALTHOUGH GAINING MUSCLES IN MY LEGS BECAUSE I HAVE TO SQUEEZE THEM TIGHT IN ORDER TO PEE OR COUGH. I developed a small hard knot the size of a pea on my inner thigh very close to thebetween area of the booty and vagina. It has been there non changing for almost two years.It was hard as a rock buty could be moved around. NO pain unless i tried to squeeze. THis morning i woke up and it is about the size of a half dollar and more tight and like a lump it is not even close to the size ot was and it is not hard now it is a lump???????????? Is this the same thing it kinda seems different but the same . Also my job does not offer insurance so i am self pay. I have just suffered through this hormonal stuff but it is beginning to take a toll. I am also extremely fatigued and i feel like i have horns.
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Avatar universal
I have had these lumps for the past few years and I'm 22 now! I have one that reoccurs constantly and I just had a new one come up last week. When the break open and bleed I find that i have an 'open wound' or hole. I also have permanent scars from these cysts.

Does anyone else have bad scaring from theirs??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi ladies, so at the beginning of a lot of these posts there are thank you's and appreciations from people coming together and talking about this sensitive and kinda embarrassing subject. Its not that easy to bring it up in a conversation with the girls or get to your doctor right away when you have one of these come up.  im 24 and I have been getting these lumps around my bikini area for a few years now. About 4 yrs ago I got an infection which I honestly think it was mersa but do to the hospital that I went to (not my choice but I was in agony and sever pain which I don't wish that on anyone BTW) wasn't properly diagnosed with it. I had it very badly on my bottom it made me very sick. Ever since then once in a blue moon ill get another boil.At first I thought well maybe it was that . HOWEVER although these lumps which are still very painful they fell somewhat different than the pain and symptoms from a boil that ive gotten. ( if yah ever had one then you'd know)! When I weeded that out I  just chalked it up to shaving but I don't shave one of the areas that the lump pops up . Which is my inner thigh in my crease close to my private area. (bikini line.) but I have had a lump develop on private lip area which really scared me because of the area. Then I thought OMG herpes but was told it wasn't. I have noticed that some women get these around their cycle and really haven't connected or realized till I read these posts that I seem to get them around my cycle also. Which I actually just started today and yah guessed it I have a lump. At first it started out with my lower bottom of my butt bothering me though it was the way I sat or something then I started to feel the pain in my inner thigh area like it had traveled and the pain in my bottom is gone. I felt down there didn't feel a lump but about a day later its there. Like I have in the past I have tried popping it its not ready though I know I shouldn't AND IT IS SO PAINFUL!!!  . Usually as it progresses like others have said it kind will look like a pimple and then ill pop and it will go away about a day after. When I tried to do it earlier I couldn't walk or sit down I just laid there. I am a clean person and use the baby powder cornstarch all the time because I work out and just want to feel dry and fresh but I will definitely trying some of the tips and suggestions that you ladies have left here because im so tired of going this pain and discomfort even if it is every so often.
Thank you so much posting everyone
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your reassurance! I've just had two of these lumps in the same place in the last month. I've had them on and off for the past decade (almost always in the same place), but this is the first time I've had such an instant re-occurance. I just moved to a warmer climate and I've been shaving, running, and wearing shorts almost every day. I was going to break down and go to a doctor, but I don't have a doctor in the new city. I was hoping it was some sort of ingrown hair/bacteria thing; I really needed to hear your story! Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did a search for "bikini line cysts" and came across this page.  I was at work so I printed everyone's input and read through it.  I am 36 yrs. old and  suffer from these bumps for as long as I can remember.   I got tested for EVERY STD known to man when before I gave birth over 10 yrs. ago Dr. ruled out any STD's.  There is no known cure and often gets misdiagnosed.
Personally I noticed that my breakouts vary according to my monthly cycle.  About a week ago I had them worse than ever that's when I started searching the net for answers. TEND SKIN is the only product I saw people writing about and some said that it works.  I figured I cant lose in trying it.  One week later and I am almost back to normal.  Within 48 hrs. they were shrinking and today they are almost ALL gone.  I can sympathize with the pain and discomfort.  Readers please do not continue to suffer try TEND SKIN it works.  Along my research I came across another product called Renee Rouleau Anti-Cystic treatment. Haven't tried yet but thought you might want to know about other options.  Thank you for your input and I hope this helps someone as it did me.
Helpful - 0
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