Warning: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Click Continue to proceed or Back for other Channel 4 programmes about health and wellbeing.

Conditions

Boils

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.

What the Men in White Coats Say

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 got into a fight about 5 months ago, i was beatern quite bad. i ended up with a small hard lump on the side of my face were i was hit, about month ago it got sore and when squeezed pus n blood came out! its still there but gone back to just a hard lump?

I've had the same problem for a few months now. I've been gettin boils comin up under one of my arms which can get so painful i cant lift my arm up. Its unusual because its under one arm and not the other. I spent a month of not shaving or usin deodorants, it dies down and then i get another one. It always starts off as a small pustule but then swells up in a metter of days. Ive been tested for diabeties and blood tests for anything else. Could it be linked to stress or diet??

Hi I have a small lump on my thigh it doesn't bother me that much but it does prevent me from showing my legs as it is a red colour, it is hard when you touch it and it is slightly darker in the middle. I have no idea what it is and I would like to see if I can get rid of it.

hiya ive got spots on my bum they are painfull they can be realy big sometimes and when i squeeze them pus and blood comes out ive had them since i was a teeager i am now 22yrs old i was wondering if there was a cure for them as i am very embarrased about them and it effects my relationship. please help me

Hiya I have the the same problem Iv a boil(well its like one) its very painfull its vagina just on the nside of one of lips if ye get what i mean iv tryed everything to ease the pain but even when im passing urine its painfull,havend really got the fees please give me some kinda quick fix and y this happed as there isnt any hair growing near this area????please

hey,im 24 nd ive been gettin boilz in my armpitz since i was 12 nd der worse dey get really big nd painful nd somtimez dont disapear i have very bad scarin which iz embarrassin nd hv never wore armless topz outside..do u have any advise as it has taken over my life nd has been gettin me down 4 yearz…thanx

hi im 16 and i have had boils for about 2 year now i dont get them all the timee but when i do they really hurt and leave a horrble scarrr i wont to go the doctors but i dont no if they can do anyfink about them help me ?

What i need to know is the boils i keep getting, the same as others top of the legs bum etc and having trouble sitting down, I am over weight and i also have them on my tummy. Also alot of the time they do not form a head to release the puss. Am i lacking in a vitamin that would help stop these boils from forming, i have had test for diabetes but that came back all ok.Please can someone advise me.

hi
i get really painful big boils and puss they are so painful i can hardly sit i dnt no wat to do i have had them for about 4 yrs now n im fed up with them help?

ive been getting these things at the top of my legs for a while n they hurt bad my doctor said that they can be lasered but i would be at the bottom of a long list as they are hidden ie not on the visable areas but its worth a try but if anybody can suggest something id love to hear




This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published - it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 were to need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don't swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


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


Videos

  1. Acne on the back

    Quick Health Advice: Acne

    Dr Pixie McKenna provides some information on the causes of acne, zits and spots as well as some of the treatme…

  2. Acne keloidalis

    Consultation: Acne Keloidalis

    A patient receives treatment for the disfiguring condition Acne Keloidalis.

  3. Acne scarring

    Consultation: Acne Scarring

    A patient comes to see Dr Harper about treatment for the scarring caused by her teenage acne.

  4. Am I Normal - Acne

    Am I Normal Acne

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses the causes and treatments of acne, including the opinions of the cast of Hollyoaks.

  5. how to check your skin

    How To Check Your Skin

    Dr Jessen provides a quick guide on how to check and protect your skin against skin cancer.


Advertisement