So you’ve been doing the warm compresses, you’ve used the goo, and you see a little white or yellow head. This is the moment of truth. Do not squeeze it. I know it’s tempting. It’s like seeing the last bubble in a piece of bubble wrap. But resist!
Instead, keep doing the warm compresses. The pressure will naturally increase, and the skin will thin out so much that the boil will likely burst on its own. Sometimes it happens in the middle of the night while you’re sleeping.
When it does drain, gently clean the area with antibacterial soap and warm water. Then cover it with a fresh, sterile bandage. The pus will ooze a little more over the next day or so—this is normal. Just keep it clean and dry.
A Little Story From The Trenches
My buddy Mark got a boil on his inner thigh before a beach vacation. He panicked and tried to pop it with a staple remover (don’t ask). It got so infected he had to go to the doctor for antibiotics. His beach trip was ruined, and he walked like a cowboy for a week.
Boil Under Skin In Groin , Folliculitis, Boils and Carbuncles – ACOE
My sister Sally got one right before her wedding. She followed the warm compress rule like a religious ritual. Three days later, it burst while she was laughing at a rehearsal dinner toast. It didn’t even hurt. The moral? Don’t be Mark. Be Sally.
