Boils in intimate places: causes, features and danger

How to treat boils in the groin, scrotum, buttocks, penis? Treatment of boils in the intimate area in men involves the use of ointments, tablets, and folk remedies.

We will tell you what causes the appearance of boils in the groin, what are the symptoms of this disease and methods of its treatment.

This inflammatory process develops as a result of a staphylococcal infection entering the hair follicle. Staphylococcus bacteria are normally present on the surface of the skin of any healthy person.

Their approximate ratio to the number of other microorganisms is about 10%. Staphylococcus aureus is found on the skin of both the face and the entire body, including in the genital area and in the groin area.

As a rule, a boil in the groin area can be caused by the following reasons::

• decreased immunity and the body’s inability to independently suppress the causative agent of the inflammatory process;
• uncontrolled use of immunosuppressants and drugs from the group of cytostatics;
• urogenital diseases;
• hypothermia of the body;
• the presence in the perineum of a nutrient medium for the proliferation of pathogenic flora - hemorrhages, microtraumas or dead tissue;
• disturbance of local blood circulation;
• failure to maintain personal hygiene in the intimate area;
• increased sweating;
• hormonal imbalance;
• lack of vitamins;
• pediculosis of the pubis.

One of the most common reasons for the development of boils on the pubis is wearing tight synthetic underwear, which creates friction and injures the skin. Even minimal damage to the epidermis becomes an “entry gate” for infection.

The etiological mechanism of this disease is triggered by a number of factors:

• dysfunction of the immune system, the inability of the body’s defenses to suppress the activity of the pathogen;
• taking certain medications (immunosuppressants, cytostatics, etc.);
• infectious diseases, especially of the urogenital system. Sexual diseases (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, herpes) contribute to the appearance of boils in the groin;
• hypothermia of the body. This factor is a common cause of the appearance of a boil in the groin area, especially in the recurrent form of the disease. Basically, this refers to hypothermia of the lower body (swimming in a cold body of water, clothing out of season, etc.);

As the disease progresses, the bulb fills with pus. Most often, during the process of inflammation, a person experiences pain.

Reasons for appearance

The main factor causing the appearance of a boil on the genitals is bacterial infection of the body.

Normally, up to 30% of staphylococci can live on human skin. The appearance of a boil indicates a quantitative change in pathogenic microorganisms up to 80-90%.

A number of factors can provoke this:

1. Insufficient hygiene. The intimate area, be it the groin area (perineum), genitals, or mammary glands, most often requires hygiene procedures. The reason for this is excessive sweating, the presence of skin folds, and discharge from the genitals.
2. Weakening of the immune system due to viral and bacterial diseases. During a cold, all efforts are aimed at eliminating the virus, and a person becomes more vulnerable to harmful microorganisms. Often, along with a runny nose and cough, purulent inflammation appears on the body. They can either precede the illness or appear during the illness, after recovery.
3. Endocrine dysfunction. The recognized cause of furunculosis is diabetes. The disease can occur in a latent form, and often boils become a signal for controlling blood sugar levels. Any hormonal disorders, changes in the amount of biologically active substances against the background of menopause and adolescence can contribute to the appearance of pustular lesions.
4. Lack of vitamins, poor or unbalanced food. Resistance to bacterial attacks is reduced due to a deficiency of B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E. Fast food and processed foods cannot fully satisfy the need for vitamins and minerals.
5. Liver dysfunction. All the “charms” and hardships of the progressive age fall on the body’s main filter. Viral diseases, bacteria, toxins, harmful nitrate compounds are work for the liver. If the organ is unhealthy, it is unable to fully cope with blood purification. The result is ulcers on the body.
6. Hypothermia. Our ancestors also noticed that chiryak often appears after hypothermia, both local and general. Modern medicine confirms this fact, and, like the older generation, does not recommend “sitting in the cold.”
7. Oncological diseases. Malignant tumors are often accompanied by furunculosis, including in the intimate area. Chemotherapy and the fight against cancer cells significantly affect defensive functions.
8. Skin injuries, previous surgery. An open area of ​​skin that has not been treated with disinfectants is simply a green traffic light for staphylococcus. The perineal area is an area that is often subject to injury during shaving and sexual intercourse. In the summer, people often rub the skin between their legs due to excessive sweating, and this area becomes a threshold area. Surgeries reduce the body's resistance, thereby allowing staphylococcus to multiply.

A single boil is not a reason to panic and look for serious pathological ailments.

Frequent and multiple inflammations should be a signal to consult a doctor.

General information

Scrotal abscess is a rare pathological condition. The frequency of development is unknown; isolated cases are mentioned in the literature without indicating the prevalence of the disease. It may occur primarily or develop against the background of other pathological processes. Most often, scrotal abscesses are diagnosed, which are a complication of acute purulent epididymo-orchitis. Despite the rather superficial location of the purulent focus, the disease can present difficulties during diagnosis due to pronounced edematous-infiltrative processes and diffuse pain in the area of ​​abundantly innervated soft tissues of the scrotum, perineum and penis. Treatment of scrotal abscess is carried out according to the general principles of purulent surgery. Treatments are carried out by specialists in the field of andrology and urology.

Symptoms and localization

An abscess most often occurs in places where sebaceous glands accumulate, in areas that require more careful hygiene. Often there are boils on the genitals, breasts, and buttocks.

Subcutaneous discomfort appears first. Pain and swelling at the site of the future boil increases over several days. Redness and burning accompany the formation of an abscess.

The peculiarity of boils in intimate places is significant pain due to the presence of many nerve endings. The pain does not subside until the boil opens.

If the boil is single, then usually it does not change the general condition. However, large or multiple ulcers can cause fever, general malaise, and headache.

On the chest

Neither men nor women are immune from ulcers in the chest area. The abundance of hair follicles on the sternum in men is a favorable area.

For representatives of the fair sex, chiryak on the mammary glands poses a particular danger.

If treatment is ignored, there is a high probability of bacterial infection of other tissues. The consequences are the most unpleasant, even fatal.

The inflammation can be located both on the breast and under it, as well as on the nipple. The reasons listed above for the appearance of a boil are also accompanied by tight, unnatural underwear.

A bra made of beautiful lace material is an ideal weapon for staphylococcus. The textured surface can rub away sweaty skin, and poor hygiene will finish the job.

Among the specific symptoms of a boil on the chest are swelling of the mammary gland, pain spreading to the nipple, and the entire affected breast.

Immediate contact with a medical facility is indicated for pregnant and nursing mothers. During the period of bearing a baby, the body mobilizes all its forces for the future person, so reactions are unpredictable.

The milk ducts are open during lactation and become a threshold for infection. In addition, the baby can injure the papilla and cause infection.

Pathogenic bacteria can penetrate into breast milk, which is especially dangerous for babies in the first year of life.

The likelihood of pus entering the blood in the chest area is significantly increased due to glandular tissue.

The mammary glands consist of delicate tissue with a minimum of partitions. Only a surgeon or mammologist should remove the pus.

On the pubic area

Inflammatory processes in the pubis occur equally often in men and women. This is due, first of all, to the presence of hair on the pubic area.

Improper shaving, microtraumas, and lack of hygiene become the primary cause of boils.

Ulcers on the pubis can lead to swelling of nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Particular sensitivity of the genitals entails great pain.

A boil on the pubic area can serve as a sign of other diseases, including inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs and sexually transmitted diseases.

The genitals are supplied with many blood vessels, so the likelihood of infection entering the blood is multiplied many times over.

On the labia

Inflammatory processes are possible on both the labia minora and labia majora. However, boils are diagnosed only on the latter.

The mucous membrane of the labia minora does not have hair follicles. Usually, abscesses are diagnosed in the vestibule area of ​​the vagina.

Infection of the outer labia is fraught with serious consequences. It is extremely important to include drug treatment for successful recovery.

The fact is that this area is one of the most blood-fed, which means the risk of infection is high.

When the first signs of disease appear on the labia, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Abscesses sometimes indicate inflammation of the Bartholin glands. This is a dangerous disease that occurs with hyperthermia and severe pain.

In case of acute purulent inflammation of the intimate area, it is recommended to refrain from intimacy. Sexual intercourse will not only be painful, but also dangerous to life and health.

A rush of blood to the genitals, squeezing, and friction of the boil is a direct path to infection entering the blood.

We talked about the features of treating a boil on the labia in this article.

The causes of the disease, main symptoms and treatment methods, as well as photos of the Coxsackie virus in children are presented in this material.

Treatment of herpes stomatitis in children is described in detail in our publication.

You will find a photo of genital herpes here: https://udermatologa.com/zabol/gerp/lechenie-polovogo-genitalnogo-gerpesa-foto-otzyvy/

On the penis

The appearance of an abscess on the penis is provoked by the same reasons as on other groin areas. Another factor for the addition of a staphylococcal infection is microtrauma on it.

The latter can appear when there is insufficient amount of natural sexual lubrication. The inflamed foreskin, the lack of integrity of its structure, serves as a place for bacteria to penetrate.

The development of a boil on the testicles and scrotum is favored by ignoring the rules of personal hygiene and unprotected sexual contact if the partner has an infection.

Since the genitals in men are the most sensitive area, the pain here is more intense. They can be transmitted to other genital areas - eggs, scrotum.

Patients experience painful erections, and it is often painful to urinate. The head of the penis is not susceptible to the appearance of boils due to the absence of hair follicles.

On the buttocks

A boil on the buttocks is one of the most unpleasant places to localize. The patient experiences pain when moving, cannot sit or lie on his back.

Inflammation in the buttock is associated with local hypothermia, as well as poor sanitation in this area. The most dangerous are internal boils, which are often found on the buttocks.

We wrote about how to treat boils on the butt here.

Treatment of boils between the buttocks

Skin folds are a common source of boils. Areas of the body that have hair, sweat, and friction are more likely to become infected, and the area between the buttocks is no exception.

It is not uncommon that when boils occur in this area, a person requires medical attention, since the inflammation may not heal even with home treatment. In this situation, surgery will be required. If you have this case, consult your doctor, he will be able to recommend a course of action for a quick and effective recovery.

Medicines

Medicines for the treatment of boils between the buttocks in men are divided into external and internal, and surgery is also used.

External

Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing ointments used externally:

• Levomekol . The high effectiveness of the ointment is associated with its ability to destroy bacterial protein synthesis, as a result of which pathogenic microorganisms die. It perfectly cleanses the wound of pus and relieves swelling.
• Tetracycline . The ointment has a wide spectrum of action and is effective even against staphylococcal infections.
• Oflocaine . In addition to the main action, the product effectively blocks pain and prevents the growth of bacteria.

The ointments are applied locally to a napkin and fixed with a band-aid.

Antibiotics

When an antibiotic is used, the choice depends on the type of infection that is present, as well as the results of tests to identify the exact bacteria infecting the area. Examples of medications that are prescribed to treat boils include topical clindamycin, mupirocin, and cephalexin.

Generally, antibiotic ointments and creams are not helpful in treatment because they do not penetrate the infected skin or pores.

Aids

Using anti-inflammatory and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain, swelling, and redness associated with boils as they heal.

Surgical intervention

In some cases, large boils that do not go away on their own require surgery. A doctor may open a boil by making a small cut or puncture. Deeply infected boils that cannot be completely drained are dressed with sterile gauze to help absorb and remove additional pus.

ethnoscience

Many boils can be treated comfortably at home using alternative remedies:

Warm compress . One of the most common and effective methods. The compress improves blood circulation, which sends more white blood cells to the area of ​​infection, reducing pain and speeding healing.

It is very easy to make a warm compress at home, for this you must:

• Soak a clean cloth in hot water.
• After making sure the cloth is not too hot, place it on the boil and hold for 10 minutes.
• Wash the affected area of ​​skin on the buttocks with soap and place sterile gauze over it.
• Repeat this process 3-4 times a day for faster results.
• Continue for 5 days until the boil reaches full maturity for opening.

Tea tree oil . Due to its antibacterial properties, it is an excellent home remedy for treating boils. It contains many compounds that kill skin infections and promote healing of painful lesions naturally. Additionally, the oil helps calm redness as it is anti-inflammatory in nature.

This inexpensive method requires only a cotton pad and the oil itself:

• Pour a few drops onto the disc.
• Use the product 2-3 times a day.
• Continue until the redness and infection disappears.

Apple vinegar . It has antiseptic properties that help eliminate staphylococcal infections. Antimicrobial qualities are due to the high content of acetic acid. Due to its low pH level, it also helps reduce inflammation and relieve itchy skin from boils.

Instructions for making apple cider vinegar lotion:

• Dilute apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water. (Vinegar can irritate your skin, so always do an allergy test. If the mixture is too hot, try increasing the amount of water. Gradually, your skin should get used to the lotion.)
• Soak a cotton swab in the solution and apply it to the boil for 20 minutes to kill germs and stimulate the healing process.
• Repeat 2 times a day and use until the boil heals and disappears completely.

Turmeric . This delicious culinary spice also has the ability to kill various bacterial strains that cause skin infections. Turmeric paste helps remove infection, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and discomfort in the affected area. Its antimicrobial effect is due to the compound curcumin.

You can make medicated paste quickly using the following method:

• Mix some turmeric powder with water to form a thick paste.
• Apply the treatment to the buttock and cover with gauze.
• Leave for 20 minutes.
• Use 2 times daily to speed up the healing process.

Aloe vera . A natural ingredient that relieves discomfort caused by boils. Aloe vera has skin healing properties, soothes irritation and reduces redness.

For aloe to be as effective as possible, it must be used with the least amount of additional ingredients:

• Apply the gel directly to the inflamed area.
• Gently massage the boil and surrounding skin area.
• Use 2-3 times a day and continue to use until all symptoms disappear completely.

Colloidal silver . Ointments based on colloidal silver effectively heal the infected area without any complications, providing an antibacterial effect.

For quick healing:

• Apply a little ointment to the inflamed area.
• Use 2 times a day until the boil disappears completely.

Preventing the appearance of boils on the butt

Prevention of boils involves the following recommendations::

• Thoroughly wash the clothes, bedding and towels of a family member infected with boils;
• clean and treat minor skin wounds;
• practice good personal hygiene;
• Maintain your health and strengthen your immune system as much as possible.

Although a boil on the buttock can be painful, it is usually not life-threatening and goes away on its own within a couple of weeks. If the boil does not go away over time, make an appointment with your doctor for an examination to prescribe the necessary treatment.

What does a boil on the genitals look like (photo)

How to distinguish from other formations

It is not difficult to distinguish a boil on the penis or pubis from manifestations of other diseases. You need to know the main symptoms of cutaneous and subcutaneous inflammation and sexually transmitted diseases.

Stages of development

The disease occurs in several stages. The ideal start for starting treatment is the first period.

Infiltration stage. The appearance of an abscess is preceded by itching and redness; later, a feeling of pain and tingling occurs at this site.

The purulent infiltrate gradually covers the entire hair follicle and adjacent tissues. Swelling may be noticeable on the skin.

Stage of suppuration. Gradually the pain intensifies and causes severe discomfort when moving. After 3-4 days, a fluctuation zone is formed.

Inside the boil, movement of purulent masses is felt, and a fistula forms on the surface.

Resolution stage. When an abscess is opened, thick pus is released, sometimes mixed with blood.

At the bottom of the abscess you can see a small greenish rod. It leaves afterwards along with pus and blood.

Healing stage. After the boil resolves, the pain goes away. Small abscesses do not leave ulcers upon opening.

Volumetric ulcers, after the contents are released, leave ulcers with a deepening into the skin. Then a scar often remains at the site of wound healing.

Diagnosis of furunculosis

With this disease, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, if a person develops symptoms of furunculosis, he should immediately see a specialist. The doctor will conduct a visual examination and dermatoscopy of the inflamed area. He can also take a swab on the culture tank in order to determine the causative agent of the disease. Patients prone to frequent outbreaks of this disease undergo a full examination of the entire body to determine the causes of the problem: blood and urine tests, ultrasound of the kidneys and internal organs, x-rays of the paranasal sinuses, fluorography.

After receiving the results of the tests, a decision is made as to which specialists the patient needs to visit. If the patient begins to develop complications, additional tests are prescribed: computed tomography, blood test for sterility, puncture and MRI of the brain.

Treatment of boils in intimate places in women

Before prescribing treatment for a boil in the intimate area, the surgeon must refer the woman for a gynecological examination.

An examination by a gynecologist will rule out possible pregnancy and the presence of concomitant diseases of the pelvic organs.

If you have boils on the chest, you may need additional consultation with a mammologist.

Drug therapy is prescribed depending on the stage of development of the disease. Local treatment, antibiotic tablets, physiotherapy and surgery are used.

It is acceptable to supplement the main therapy with folk remedies. If furunculosis is detected in a patient not for the first time, an additional medical examination is prescribed and anamnesis data is analyzed.

Local therapy

At the infiltration stage, it is recommended to treat the reddened area with antiseptic solutions.

To speed up the maturation of the abscess, apply a bandage with Vishnevsky ointment, Levomekol, Ichthyol ointment.

Syntomycin and Heparin ointments are also used in treatment.

Sometimes antibiotic tablets are replaced with ointments containing an antibiotic (Tetracycline ointment and others).

If the pain is intense, use ointments or injections with anesthetics (Lidocaine, Novocaine).

We talked about ointments in more detail in this material.

Antibiotics and physical therapy

To suppress the source of infection inside the body, the doctor prescribes antibiotic tablets. The choice and dose of medications is determined by a specialist depending on the specific clinical situation.

They use drugs from the tetracycline group, cephalosporin group, chloramphenicol and others. The course of taking the drug ranges from 5-7 days to 2 weeks.

In parallel with the antibiotic, agents are prescribed to optimize the microflora. Laser and magnetic laser methods for treating furunculosis are becoming increasingly popular. Dry heat and ultrasound are effective.

We raised the topic of using antibiotics for furunculosis in a separate article.

Surgery

If the boil does not go away on its own, then surgical intervention is indicated. Experts recommend entrusting the opening of all boils without exception to a surgeon.

The simple operation is performed using local anesthesia. The surgeon makes a cross-shaped incision and allows the pus to leave the area of ​​inflammation.

Afterwards, the ulcer is treated with a disinfecting solution and a wound-healing bandage is applied.

It is important for women to notify their doctor about the presence of menstruation , if any, since the physiological process can change the pain threshold and sensitivity to anesthesia.

We recommend the following article on the topic of removing boils.

Symptoms depending on the stage of the disease

Signs of a boil depend on the stage of the disease:

1. First stage. A red spot appears at the site of the cut or abrasion. After some time it becomes hard, itching and burning appear.
2. Second stage. An infiltrate consisting of tissue, lymph and pus begins to accumulate under the skin. A white head may appear on top. The site of inflammation increases in size, and the pain increases.
3. Third stage. Bursting of a mature boil, which is accompanied by the release of a purulent core.

Unpleasant symptoms may intensify if you try to remove the pus yourself before it is fully ripe. Therefore, at home you can only use antiseptic ointment and creams.

How to treat a boil in the groin of men: on the penis, scrotum, testicles

At home, you can observe a boil only at the initial stage. Treatment of inflammatory processes on the genital organs in men occurs under the supervision of specialists.

General treatment methods do not differ from the above methods for women.

Men are advised to refrain from intense physical activity, heavy weight training, and hard work during treatment.

If you are interested in how chickenpox is transmitted, what is the incubation period of the disease, possible complications and preventive measures, read this article.

Instructions and reviews for Skin-Active cream with hyaluronic acid are presented in this material.

Folk remedies for furunculosis

You can try to cure an inflamed boil at home using folk remedies. One of the most effective remedies is Vishnevsky ointment, but due to the specific smell, this remedy is used extremely rarely. To speed up the ripening of boils, you can warm them up using a boiled egg, which is wrapped in a napkin and applied to the boil. Warming up can be done using baked onions, which also draw out pus well. Compresses with ichthyol ointment also help well in the fight against purulent foci.

Why is it dangerous?

The main threat posed by an abscess is the spread of infection throughout the body.

Its most dangerous manifestation is sepsis (blood poisoning), which poses an immediate threat to life.

The proximity of the genitals and lymph nodes carries the risk of lymphadenitis and lymphangitis.

The spread of infection can affect the function of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), joints (arthritis), and cause inflammation of the brain and lungs. The dangerous consequences of a boil are neutralized with correct and timely treatment.

Traditional methods of treatment

Some people successfully fight boils at home.

Onions will help you cope with boils at home

At home, to treat the inflammatory process, you can use folk recipes, such as:

• iodine lotions - accelerate the maturation of the abscess and disinfect the skin around it;
• applying pulp from aloe leaves - fresh leaves are cut in half, the squeezed pulp is placed on the boil and sealed with a band-aid that allows air to pass through (it’s better to do it at night for 3 days); aloe is a good anti-inflammatory agent that helps heal various wounds and ulcers;
• applying onions - a pre-cut onion without oil is placed in a frying pan, then the cut is applied to the site of inflammation, covered with a plaster (done overnight); baked onions have the property of drawing out pus;
• applying a mixture of rye flour and honey , which helps soften the upper skin layer and attract the purulent core to the surface;
• applying rye bread crumb (necessarily with saliva) to the sore spot, then fixing it with a band-aid, after opening the abscess, lubricate it with wound-healing ointment;
• lotions from an infusion of a mixture of chamomile and sage (pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon of the herbal mixture, leave for 25 minutes);
• lotions from a solution of honey and calendula (dissolve 1 teaspoon of honey and calendula flowers in 1 cup of boiled water), which must be done every hour;
• burdock lotion (it is recommended to first boil the burdock leaf in milk until softened);
• compresses with herbal infusions (birch + parsley, fireweed tea with laundry soap).

You might be interested to know about: Quick-acting laxative in tablets

Prevention measures

To prevent an abscess from ruining your mood and plans, you should follow the following primitive rules:

• maintain hygiene of the groin area, genitals, and breasts;
• avoid overheating or hypothermia;
• be sure to treat injuries and microdamages to the skin;
• eat enough vitamins.

In case of recurrent forms, it is important to undergo preventive therapy in a timely manner; the doctor may prescribe a preventive course of physiotherapeutic procedures.

No matter how unpleasant it may be to tell the doctor about a problem in the intimate area, it is still important to overcome shyness in order to save your health.

Anti-inflammatory ointments and drugs

for treatment :

• Vishnevsky ointment or ichthyol ointment - applied on top of the abscess, then the area is covered with a gauze swab and plaster (done overnight until the problem disappears);
• Levomikol ointment - applied to the abscess twice a day, then the area is covered with a gauze swab and plaster;
• hydrogen peroxide treatment or salicylic alcohol - several times a day.