Infected ingrown hair HELP

I noticed a ingrown hair on my bikin line and kinda a let it go. It itched real bad but really did nothing about it. Started to swell real bad so I started picking at it. Now it's a hudge boil. It's about 2" from side to side and about 3/4" up and down. It sticks out about a 1/2". Hurts to walk. It does ooze when I put pressure on and around the boil but the boil's not reducing in size. My question is can I do anything to get ride of this on my own or am I going to have to get it cut out???

It's been 8 days when it started itching and now 5 day's with the boil.

Please help

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. Apply warm compresses on the boil and keep the area clean. Drainage of the boil is done only when it becomes soft and forms a head. 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 may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.