Health & Wellness

Q&A: What do I do about cuts in my area? Do I put Neosporin on them? What do I do when they hurt/ bleed?

First, I can’t help but ask how you got cuts down there! Sometimes you can get cuts from long fingernails if you are touching yourself down there. Occasionally you can have some trauma, like landing on your vaginal area across the bar of a bike if you have an accident, but cuts on the vulvar area shouldn’t be happening on a regular basis. If you are having recurring open areas that seem like cuts, you could have an infection like herpes and you should see your healthcare provider. Assuming your cuts are due to an errant fingernail or minor trauma, Neosporin daily for a few days is exactly what I would do to help the area heal and not get infected. For the pain (which may be intense when you pee and the urine hits that area), you can use Tylenol and/or Vaseline on the area before you go to the bathroom. For bleeding, it should stop very soon after the initial injury, but if it keeps coming back you should see your healthcare provider.

Ouch! I’ve cut myself shaving down there and it’s not a pleasant experience. I’ve never used anything on shaving nicks — I just try to keep the area clean and as dry as possible and the cut heals on its own. If a cut on your vulva is causing you pain and not healing, then Neosporin isn’t a bad idea. Just keep in mind that Neosporin is for external use only — don’t apply it to your labia and certainly don’t apply it in your vagina.

Having nicked myself when shaving (more than a few times), I know having a cut down there is absolutely no fun! To treat cuts caused by shaving, I keep the area clean by washing twice a day, and to lessen the sting, I’ve used diaper rash cream with good results. Your health provider may also be able to prescribe something a little stronger if the cut is extra painful or large. And if you have multiple cuts down there caused by dryness or irritation, be sure to make an appointment right away as this could be a sign of a yeast infection. Hope this helps!