Boils

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have had a boil for the past 4 weeks, I normally get them around the time of my menstral cycle however they normally just come befor or after that and leave. This time it is very big, it hurts and blood/pus was draining from it but has stopped, it also looks like it is getting bigger. I am trying to see if I should see a doctor??

Dear Leticia: Boils and carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair follicles.Since you had boils before you must recognize that generally after the first episode if the boil worsens rapidly or is extremely painful, if they become very large, havent healed in two weeks or are accompanied by a fever and also very importantly if Red lines radiating from a boil, which may be a sign that the infection has entered your lymphatic system then a visit to your physician is mandatory.In my opinion this time your doctor may drain a large boil by making a small incision in the tip. This relieves pain, speeds recovery and helps lessen scarring. Deep infections that cant be completely drained may be covered with sterile gauze so that pus can continue to drain. He might also prescribe antibiotics to help heal severe or recurrent infections.