Dear DOLLY DR, I have little white bumps that look like clusters of pimples on parts of my genitals. I thought it might have been thrush, but I already took a cream for that and it didn't work. Now I'm terrified it might be something worse. I can't understand how I got this because I am still a virgin. Help, I don't know what to do!
Catherine.
From what you've described this doesn't sound like scabies or thrush. Without seeing the bumps or getting more information it's impossible to be sure. First of all, if you have not had any sexual contact near your genitals (including oral sex), then most sexually transmitted infections are ruled out. Scabies infecting the genitals is usually transmitted by close sexual contact, although it can also affect other parts of the body through normal household contact.
Scabies is caused by a little mite. It burrows under the skin and causes an intense itch. It can cause little red marks in the webs of the fingers and in the case of genital infection, it causes itchy red lumps. Little white bumps on the vulva (outer and inner lips of the vagina) can be normal glands in the skin. If they are not painful or itchy and if you have not had any sexual contact, this is the most likely explanation.
Genital warts can also cause little white bumps but these are sexually transmitted. Thrush doesn't cause skin bumps — it is an overgrowth of yeast inside the vagina and causes the vagina to become red and itchy and produce a white discharge. The other possibility is a skin condition — and there are many — that has affected the genital area. It's best if you check it out with your doctor.
