Is this a boil or a cyst? (gross pic)

[nimfly]

Painful lump appeared in my inner thigh 2 days ago and it's so red, swollen and ugly. It's usually ok but hurts when my legs rub together and is currently throbbing after applying some sudocrem. What should I do to help it go away?

Just looks like a big spot. If you take a hot bath. It will soften up and if you squeeze it it should pop the puss and be less painful. Or you can just leave it and it will go down on its own.

Go to the doctors tomorrow and see if you need antibiotics. I had an infection similar to yours. I ended up in hospital on iv antibiotics as I left it too late and oral antibiotics didn't touch it. Draw round it tonight to see if the infection is spreading.

I don't recommend trying to squeeze it as it doesn't appear to have a head. It will hurt.

Probably an infected spot/boil. Might burstor just subside. Hot baths will help. Ibuprofen. If it gets bigger or redder you might need antibiotics.

Thanks for replies, will try hot compress tomorrow and painkillers. Will phone docs/pop into pharmacy too just in case. Fed up of it already

Stick some tea tree oil on it. It's antiseptic and will tide you over until tomorrow. Germoline is another option and it has a numbing agent in it.

Tea tree oil or castor oil should draw it out over night if you have any. Keep up with the hot compress and even hold a hot water bottle on it tonight then a hot shower or bath in the morning.

I'm a picker and I totally would have a go at it with my tool kit. If you're going to squeeze it you need to break the skin first or else it will hurt.

@Clairaloulou I am so tempted to pick it but worried I'll make it worse!

Looks like an ingrowing hair, I get them all the time on the tops of my legs. Keep using the Sudocrem, and put as hot a flannel as you can bear on it. Usually pop after a few days. Doesn't look infected.

@nimfly nah it'll be fine, just clean anything you use well. You've got to take pics if you do tho