Bottom boil

by Dr Sarah Brewer

I've recently had a boil or a pimple on my bottom, just in the crease. It was incredibly painful for just over a week before it burst. I'm really not prone to boils and I wash every day. What can I do to stop this happening again? And if it does, what's the best way to stop it developing?

answer

Hopefully it was just one of those things and will not recur, but if it does, you must see your doctor. Recurrent boils in this area can be due to an infected pilonidal sinus. This is a blind pit in the skin in or near the cleft at the top of the buttocks. It contains hairs that can burrow inwards and so lead to recurrent infection. Recurrent boils can also be a sign of diabetes. If you have any other signs of diabetes, such as a raging thirst, needing to wee a lot, excessive tiredness or weight loss, you should see your doctor to be tested. For now, try washing with a tea-tree-oil-based soap, which has antiseptic properties, to see if this helps, but don't use around the delicate vaginal area.

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Bottom boil