Hello,

Thanks for posting your query. What you are having is a boil or a sebaceous cyst. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area.

Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with pus. Sebaceous cyst is a small cystic swelling filled with a soft, whitish brown material that sometimes oozes out onto the skin's surface. This material is called sebum. Treatment includes small surgical opening into the skin and removing the sac and the contents of the cyst.

For a boil, apply warm compresses on the boil and keep the area clean with topical antiseptics. Drainage of the boil is done only when it becomes soft and forms a head. Till then you can apply a topical antibiotic cream like Neosporin or Bactroban after consulting your doctor. You can also take some over the counter pain reliever like Ibuprofen and oral antibiotics after a doctor’s prescription.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

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Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

Yes, it could be a STI depending on your recent sexual exposure. Hard bump like structure is usually seen in Syphilis but it spontaneously disappears by 2 to 3 weeks without any treatment. It does not stay for this long.

The lesion being tender, discharging foul smelling pus makes it more likely to be Chancroid or LGV (LymphoGranuloma Venereum). I do not think it is Herpes. There must be a clear discharge for this and it is extremely painful.

Whatever be the cause, please get yourself screened for the STIs. The treatment for all these is easy and effective. You may need appropriate antibiotics.

You need to be safe, in perfect health. Always practice safe sex.

Hope this helps you. Do let me know if you have more concerns.

Regards,

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