I personally like to either rub some castor oil on the area or neosporin ointment (the version that lists pain relief as well). I also take ibuprofen and use a warm compress such as a heating pad or warm washcloth. Sometimes I also hop in the shower and turn the water on as warm as I can tolerate and let it pour over the area where I have the annoying painful lump so that the heat can help draw it out and cause it to drain naturally.

I know, I've seen a few surgeries now, but so scary at first...looks like a shark bite! But it's amazing how it heals....takes a few months I believe! You will be fine! Hugs....keep us posted. Pics are great to help others understand what to expect!.

Hi bonbon yes I actually have a wound vac that picture was taken during a wound vac change it is already starting to fill in a little the measurements were smaller this week since the last week when they measured it

The warm compress is the best thing to make it burst but remember the bigger the boil the bigger the hole it's going to leave I have on my inner thigh that got infected and I got septic was in the hospital on iv antibiotics then after wards I was going to wound care and because it was so deep and would never heal properly I had to have surgery and they cut all the skin off all the way down to the muscle now I have a big hole there and a wound vac so looking back I wish I would of just got it lanced and put on antibiotics to begin with but I understand you completely not wanting to go get poked pinched and squeezed around on I have been through so much with this HS stuff I just wanted a break and blew it off it was painful to very large hard to walk it just depends on what your willing to go through I guess I wish I would seen Dr to begin with now I'm seeing home health 2 times a week and wound clinic 1 time every week no baths no swimming which I live in Texas and summer is hellish and you need those things here to survive!!!! I have definitely learned my lesson the hard way!!!

Some use vicks....I think it helps?? Generally they will be very painful til they break! You can see your Dr, or emerg and have it lanced!