A 29-year-old female asked:
have a boil on butt, very painful, about the size of a quarter now, & hot to the touch! how can i get some relief?
4 doctor answers
Dr. David Miller answered
10 years experience Family Medicine
Drainage: Boils (abscesses, carbuncles) are skin infections that have formed pockets of pus and infection.They need to be drained in order to heal, otherwise they will get worse and can cause serious problems.Based on the size and location, you should see your doc to have it properly opened and drained rather than attempting to deal with it yourself. Drainage may be as simple as an 18g needle.
Answered on Oct 3, 2016
2
2 thanks
Dr. Leto Quarles answered
23 years experience Family Medicine
Hot pack & see a Dr.: A boil can get very painful, especially if you have to sit on it! for immediate relief, take max dose of a pain-reliever of your choice (tylenol, Ibuprofen or aspirin), and apply a washcloth soaked in hot water for as long as you can stand it. See a doc asap (urgent care usually open on weekends) to have the infection properly drained -- trying to lance it yourself can spread infection deeper.
Answered on Jun 25, 2014
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Dr. Marc Polecritti answered
18 years experience Plastic Surgery
It needs drained: What your describing is likely an abscess or localized infection. These are best drained and or surgically removed in order to limit the chance of recurrence. In some cases, warm compresses can help small abscesses to drain to the skin surface. If it is not resolving, you should seek an evaluation from a medical professional.
Answered on Nov 22, 2014
5
5 thanks
Dr. Slade Suchecki answered
18 years experience Family Medicine
Needs attention: A large boil like this needs to be opened. I would recommend being seen by your physician or urgent care (not recommended you do this at home). An incision and drainage is the likely procedure pending full exam and history taking. You may need to have the wound flushed and packed, depending on size and depth as well as a possible antibiotic course.
Answered on Jun 18, 2017
5
5 thanks
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Dr. Martin Raff answered
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See your family doc: This may need professional attention. The potential for extension of infection to other areas is good, and this needs drainage and possibly antibioti ... Read More
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Dr. Myron Arlen answered
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Unrelated: Boil on ear frequently from infected sebaceous cyst which should be treated with warm soaks and if necessary antibiotics. If resolving and cystic str ... Read More
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Raff answered
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Perhaps: You can apply warm moist heat to this every hour or two for 10-15 minutes until it comes to a head, ruptures and drains. The problem is that it may s ... Read More
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Eastern answered
44 years experience Dermatology
Could be.: It could be a boil, could be something else - like an infection or arthritis in the knee joint. Don't take chances with your knees - if it is somethin ... Read More
2
2 thanks
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