Dear Doctor
Hi, can you help me? This appeared on the cheek of my bottom and I do not know what it is. I’m not sure that this is a boil cause it does not look like it. Its been there for I think 4 days now and it has gotten bigger since, but not bigger than an inch (as comparable with my fingers). It is not itchy but it is painful when pressed (bearable). Can you tell me what it is and the treatment.Thanks
Dear Patient
This condition is known as a buttock abscess or gluteal abscess and it is simply a boil on your bottom.
It is caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci though bacteria found in stool can also cause infections in this area.
These bacteria enter the skin through small cuts. Sometimes you may not even be aware that you have cut or scratched the skin before the boil develops.
These infections can also begin in the hair follicle (the small hole from which the hair grows).
Buttock Abscess Symptoms
The symptoms of a gluteal abscess include a fluctuant swelling that is painful. In some situations, there may also be fever and chills.
Buttock Abscess Treatment
The treatment for this boil is a procedure known as I&D (incision and drainage). You will need to consult your nearest doctor to have this done since it involves numbing the area with local anesthesia and then making a small cut (incision) to remove the pus (drainage).
After the procedure, your doctor will prescribe some antibiotics like flucloxacillin to control the infection as well as some pain killers.
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