Bit gross, I'm afraid - any advice about boils in the groin

[Attenborough]

Self-diagnosed from the internet at the moment, and no drs appointment available until Thursday. Apart from anticeptic soap, can I do anything else?

could you ring NHS direct and ask?

Magnesium sulphate draws boils (and splinters) doesn't it? Thick white paste - that you slap on and stick a plaster over - ask the pharmacist...

You can draw them out with a warm compress and sqeeeeeeeeze. Bit naughty though but v.satisfying.

Can you see a practice nurse or duty doctor before thursday. I wouldn't squeeze, you'll give yourself a nasty infection.

Some anti bacterial cream may help too.

All above sounds good, especially the squeezing.

More seriously, the bugger can be suppurating straight into your lymph system. Get it seen to asap.

Get it looked at.

Had to have mine surgically removed & it was connected to one under the skin that couldn´t be seen.

It was in armpit.

Top half of arm swelled, could hardly move it & veins to elbow were standing out.

When I've had these in the past, I've used a pin, drained it, put antiseptic cream on it, then covered it with a plaster.

If you (understandably) don't want to drain it, cover it with a plaster for now, might bring it out and will stop legs/knickers from rubbing which can be very painful. Feel for you, hope it gets sorted

Please don't stick a pin in it. That would be a bad idea; really don't.

I suffer from these regularly and Mag sulph can sometimes help.Fortunately I have a supply of sterile needles and I do lance my own sometimes.The problem with boils is they can be made up of several "pockets" which can make them tricky to drain.

I have had two which have needed surgical removal as they didn't respond to anti-biotics and the flesh surrounding them turned to cellulitis.
Can you not get an emergency appointment before Tues?
They can be exceedingly painful and you have my sympathise.

Thanks, everybody. I've had three hot baths with salt in today and it's got a bit better. DH also got magnesium sulphate from the chemist so I'll use that tonight. It is really painful - have never had one before so quite shocked by that.

Poor you. If it's any consolation, they're really really common - groin being ideal breeding ground for boils...

I had one once, and by the time I finally got to see a GP, it'd started to ooze by itself.

Keep area clean and maybe use an antiseptic: dettol/savlon.

Hydrogen peroxide solution on a bit of cotton wool once the skin has broken will oxidise the bacteria and then you will be fine!

tea tree oil in bath and tea tree cream.
It really works and is the best antiseptic.