Carbuncle and furuncle of the buttock

Pressure from sitting and clothing can make a buttock boil especially tender. The area may feel firm at first, then softer in the centre as pus collects. A furuncle usually involves one infected follicle; a carbuncle joins several nearby boils and can affect a broader patch. A painful lump in this region can also have other causes, so an examination matters when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Keep the skin clean and use a loose dressing if fluid escapes. Warm compresses can provide comfort, while reducing pressure with a cushion or changing position may make sitting easier. Do not lance or squeeze the swelling, and wash towels and clothing regularly. A healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics or perform drainage when pus is trapped; read Antibiotics For Skin Infection and Abscess Drainage for more about these options.

Contact a clinician promptly when the lump becomes larger, the redness moves outward, pain limits movement, or drainage has an unpleasant smell. Fever, chills, dizziness, red streaking, or feeling suddenly unwell warrants urgent care. Get advice sooner if you have diabetes, take immune-suppressing medicine, or have had similar infections before.

Ask how deep the infection seems, whether it needs drainage, how long to keep the dressing on, and how to reduce friction while the skin heals.