Red pimple like bumps on back of thigh

[dpharm]

For many years now I have experienced red, pimple-like bumps, mostly on the back of my thigh and sometimes buttocks. They appear 1 at a time and seem to stay around for about 1 week. Starts as a small irritation, then sometimes becomes painful and fills with pus. Once in awhile they leave a small, darker pigemented scar. They pretty much appear at random and only about 3 - 4 times per year. Physicians have told me its just irritation or ingrown hairs, forgot the technical term they used, still, nothing seems to make them stop re-appearing. Just wondering if anyone has a better grasp on what it could be and also a non-pharmacologic or pharmacologic treatment they would recommend. Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
They seem like boils or furuncle. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. Boil on buttocks is usually due to plugged sweat glands that become infected or by an ingrown hair.

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.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.