Boil, cyst, abscess???

I just recently got a lump under my skin near the bottom of my butt crack.  I had it for about 3 days.  Its about the size of a 50 cents piece, and its hard and sore.  Its very very sore in one spot.  I haven't noticed a change in my skin color.  I've read that it could be from an infection of some sort.  An ear piercing that I have got infected from using non gold about a week ago.  I don't have health insurance yet, so I don't want to waste a bucnh of money if it is something I can do at home.  I do have cephalexin 500mg but haven't taken any yet.  Can someone please help me out?  I'm a little scared to what it is.

[antz24]

I just checked it out, it is red.

[Freds_Baby]

i think from what you described i had that many years back. it hurt to walk sometime and whenever i wiped. i was working out alot and my doctor said it was from my sweat. i sweat alot. it was an enlarged cyst. he had to cut it open and drain it. IT HURT!!! He then had me sit in warm water with epson salt every day for about a week if i remember correctly. mine was probably the same size as yours.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be due to folliculitis and boil. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics and lancing may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case. Also then pilonidal cyst has to be ruled out.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.