Conditions
Boils
A boil is an inflamed swelling normally caused by infection to the hair follicle. They are filled with pus and are often sore and painful. They generally occur in places where there is friction between the skin and clothing, and particularly where there sweat catches, such as under the arms and between the buttocks. If a network of boils joins together, it can form a super boil, known as a carbuncle. The causes of boils are many, some occur naturally as a result of high occurrence of staphylocooci bacteria, but others may be caused by a weakened immune system (as a result of diabetes or stress) or by irritation to the skin caused by conditions such as eczema. Most boils will disappear on their own, but in serious cases they can be treated by a medical professional, who will normally drain the pus from the boil using a needle and syringe. Bursting boils is not recommended, as this can spread the infection on to neighbouring skin.
Comments
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
hi, i keep getting boils on my vagina and are very painful i really dont know what is causing them and its too embarrasing to go to the doctors. i have cystitis quite a lot too and have had 2 courses of anti biotics and its come back again. have i just got a low immune system and if so what can i do about it??
hi im 19 years old and ive had 2 boils in my arm pit for over a year now but i havent used any treatment for them ad now they seem to be getting really red and really sore, please help as its making me very self consience about myself.
I am 19 years old
and for a while i have been suffering with these kind of boils
when i go to the doctors they just tell me to ignore them ,but its hard when they start pussing and i get then every week i get rid of one with it popping , and then i get a new one , it is really annoying more than anything and for a 19 year old its really bad , Also i get black dark patches on my vaginal area , on my stumach where it creases and under my arms
Is there anything! i can do for this?
i`m 20 and i have suffered wiv boils since i was 15, i have tired every to get rid of them but them but it keeps coming back. I get the boils in between my legs, on the fold of my belly, on my belly, on my breast, in my armpits and also more delicate areas such as my vigraier and bum! it effects my sexual life and makes me lack in confidence as well as a weight problem! is there anything you can tell me to try and help!!
Hiya am 21 and been getting boils under my arms for nearly a year now. i have been givin anitbo everytime i go but dont seem to work i have been givin hibi scrub to but havnt worked. am covered in scares under the arms. I have been to see the doctor at a hospital now bein transferred over to dermotis. i was just wondering if u could help.
hi, i am 22 and have been getting boils under my armpits for just over a ear now, ive been to the doctors numerous times but they always give me a course of antibiotics which never work. i stopped shaving for a while which didn't work and tried waxing instead. ive tried switching to natural deoderant or no deoderant at all. ive also tried rubbing anticeptic cream on twice a day and using medicated soap. ive also washed all of my jackets, coats and t-shirts. the last time i went to the doctors she suggested a skin graft which seemed abit extreme. would electrolosis stop this problem?
hi im 19 years old and have already had surgery on one abcess which was the inside of my left thigh, after the surgery it took 4 and a half months to heal! i now have another one on the same leg about an inch away from were the other one was. i have already had 6 courses of antibiotics which have no effect on this at all. just wondering why im getting them since the last one i wash twice a day to make sure my skin is clean. ive been tested for diabetes which came back fine. Is the rest of my life going to evolve around these things?
hello im actually contacting in regards to my grandmother she has had a condision with her legs and feet for as long as we can remember she is overweight but the skin on and around her legs bubble burst leak puss and the doctors still havent given her a name for it she has beengiven trimavate cream and dyprabase cream but it doesnt really do anything she also has cracks at the top of her fingers to the point her hands are covered in blisters sores and plasters anything you can tell us will be greatly apreciated sorry for all the spelling mistakes lol
Hi my best friend is 21 and for the past 2 years has been suffering with large boils coming up around her anus, bum and legs, she has been to the doctors around 10-15 times and each time they just prescribe anti biotics, once she once referred to a dermatologist who also just prescribed AB, once she was also rushed to hospital as one came up the size of a golf ball the on call gp rushed her straight through and she was operated on, no explanation of why it is happening or how she can stop it!
she is havin a lot of time off work and spent 3 days in hosp, they are very painful and obvioulsy annoying plus a financial drain when havin time off work!!
yet no one seems to be helping her!! so i have come to you please help!!
i keep getting boils on my face mainly on my cheeks one after another both sides of my face i am sick of them making me feel very low
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here