Infections That Cause Boils on Buttocks

Introduction:

Boils are bumps on the skin that get filled with pus. The bacteria that cause boils on the buttocks are the Staphylococcus aureus. The areas that are prone to friction, like the inner thighs and hairy, sweaty areas, are common sites of the development of boils. Boils can also develop near the nose or around the ears, and the pain can aggravate with the buildup of pus beneath the skin. The pain decreases gradually as the fluid begins to drain.

What Causes Boils on the Buttocks?

Staphylococcus aureus are the causative organisms responsible for causing boils. Almost all individuals have Staphylococcus aureus living on the skin, which does not cause any harm. Severe, rapidly growing boils that tend to relapse may be caused by the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These bacteria develop resistance to many antibiotics and hence continue to dwell in the skin and can be difficult to be rid of through treatment.

If left untreated, MRSA skin infections can result in serious complications like pneumonia (inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs due to an infection) and life-threatening deep tissue infections. Other types of bacteria could also cause boils if they make their way into an oil gland or a hair follicle.

Who Is Prone to Develop Boils?

The following are prone to develop boils:

• Infections caused by MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria have the potential to spread between individuals, and the risk of contracting such infections is particularly elevated in hospitals and other healthcare settings where there is a high concentration of sick individuals.

• Boils have a high tendency to reappear. The boils that reappear three or more times within 12 months are called recurrent boils, and these are usually caused by MRSA.

• The presence of any other skin condition like psoriasis (a condition in which there is an accumulation of skin cells and formation of scales and itchy, dry patches of skin) or eczema (inflammation of the skin that results in cracked, itchy, and rough skin) permits bacteria to penetrate deeper into the skin tissues.

Other risk factors include:

• Diabetes.

• Iron deficiency anemia.

• Poor personal hygiene.

• Obesity.

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other autoimmune conditions.

• Previous treatment with antibiotics.

• Tobacco smoking.

• Presence of small cuts or other injuries on the skin surface.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Boils That Develop on the Buttocks?

The signs and symptoms of a boil on the buttock are as follows:

• Presence of red, swollen bumps.

• Raised, painful, and tender lumps.

• Warm.

• Filled with pus.

Boils initially appear as small, firm, pea-sized bumps. They gradually increase in size, turn soft, and have a white or yellow tip that releases either pus or a clear liquid. These boils can grow into the size of a golf ball at times.

How Can Boil on the Buttocks Be Diagnosed?

The following are a few diagnostic methods to diagnose boils on the buttocks:

• Physicians can identify boils through mere visual examination. In case of boils with a discharge, a sample of the discharge may be collected to detect the type of bacteria that caused the boil, especially MRSA.

• The physician may suggest urine and blood tests to identify any underlying health conditions like diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, or other health conditions.

• Nasal swabs may be obtained from the individual or other close family members to check if they are carriers of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

How Can Boil on the Buttocks Be Treated?

The boils on the buttocks can be treated in the following ways:

• Use of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer.

• Oral and topical antibiotics and antiseptics can be used.

• Warm compresses can be applied to the boils to obtain relief from the discomfort.

• A balanced diet that is rich in vitamin C should be consumed.

• One must avoid puncturing or popping the boil as this can spread the infection to other body parts.

• Clothes, towels, and other personal items should be washed separately to avoid the spread of infection.

• Good personal hygiene should be maintained, and one must bathe regularly.

• In case of the presence of many skin folds, one must consider reducing the weight.

• Tobacco smoking should be avoided.

• One must refrain from going to the gym, using the swimming pool, or playing sports that involve contact with others if one has boils to prevent the spread of infection to others.

• If the boils are bigger in size and do not get resolved with any of the above treatments, then medical intervention is necessary. In such cases, a physician will make an incision and drain the boil. This incision site will be packed with gauze so as to collect the pus and enable the skin to heal adequately. MRSA can be difficult to treat, and this exerts the need for other family members to undergo treatment to decrease the number of bacteria causing the infection. This is necessary in cases where multiple family members suffer from recurrent skin infections.

How Should a Warm Compress Be Given to Treat a Boil on the Buttocks?

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests the following treatment for any kind of boil.

• Warm compresses are considered the first line of treatment for boils. A warm compress is prepared by soaking a neat cloth in hot water.

• This compress can be applied to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. This should be continued till the pus or the liquid oozes out.

• In case the boil bursts open, it should be covered with a gauze or bandage to avoid the spread of bacteria. Boils due to MRSA need additional or extensive medical intervention.

Can There Be Any Complications Due to Boils on the Buttocks?

Complications can arise when the infection spreads to other parts of the body, because of which one is advised not to pop or pick a boil. A few complications include:

• Formation of carbuncles (collection of connected boils).

• Severe scarring.

• Inflammation of the skin and the neighboring soft tissue (cellulitis).

• Inflammation of the heart (endocarditis).

• Inflammation of the bone (osteomyelitis).

• Sepsis (a serious condition that causes infectious inflammation and requires immediate medical intervention).

Can Boil on the Buttocks Be Prevented?

The boil on the buttocks can be prevented in the following ways:

• One must use an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after touching the boil.

• One must follow basic personal hygiene like washing hands with soap and water and taking regular showers.

• One must avoid sharing personal articles like linens, undergarments, towels, or razors with others.

• All the infection-prone surfaces like door knobs, bathtubs, toilet seats, and counters should be kept clean.

• Any open skin wounds or injuries should be kept covered and protected.

Conclusion:

Boils can occur in any part of the body but are most common on the buttocks, areas of friction, and in skin folds where sweat tends to collect in excess. Boils develop as red, painful bumps which gradually swell and get filled with pus. Boils on the buttocks are a result of bacterial infections. These can be got rid of by following certain simple measures mentioned above. Large, recurrent, and rapidly growing boils may require an evaluation by a healthcare professional.