boils

I have been getting boils in my pubic area. They are large and painful and occur about 1 and sometimes 2 a week. I drain them
and they will weep and bleed for weeks. I assume they are ingrown hairs but this has never happened to me before. Is this a symptom of a more serious problem? I am 39 yrs. old. I also got one behind my ear once. this has been going on for about 4 or 5 months. I apply hydrocortizone or an antibiotic ointment
to them. What could cause this? I do bath or shower daily.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Boils are rather common in the groin.  Staph germs often are involved, but these generally don;t come from dirt.  They often live in the nostrils, minding their own business, but cause problems like boils if they land on other parts of the body.

First of all, don't drain them yourself.  That can delay healijg and make matters worse.  Hot compresses may help the boils come to the surface, and is safe.

Second, make a doctor's appointment.  Topical (external) and/or oral antibiotics may help, as well as applying an external antibiotic to the nostrils.

Please keep in mind that almost always, boils left alone will go away on their own, reabsorbed by the body.  Treatment is intended to prevent new ones.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff