You wake up with a tender, swollen bump under your skin. By the next day, it’s discolored and sore and feels like it’s throbbing from the inside.

It’s more than a pimple. It’s a boil — a deep skin infection that’s not just uncomfortable but can also make everyday tasks like walking, sitting, or even wearing clothes feel painful.

For most people, a boil will heal with time and home care. But if it’s large or in a sensitive area, or if it keeps coming back, you might need more than warm compresses. That’s when antibiotic cream, or even prescription treatments, come into play. Knowing which ones actually work and when to use them can make the difference between quick relief and a stubborn infection that lingers.

In this article, we’ll look at the best antibiotic cream for boils, which ointments can help draw out a boil, and when you should consider seeing a dermatologist — especially if you’re getting boils again and again.

What Is a Boil and How Does It Form?

A boil (furuncle) starts when bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus, slip into the skin through a tiny break caused by shaving, scratching, or even tight clothing rubbing against the skin. This triggers the immune system to send white blood cells to the site, creating discoloration, swelling, and eventually a pus-filled lump. Boils can occur in the armpits, face, buttocks, groin, neck, and thighs but are also possible on other parts of the body.

While anyone can get a boil, they are more common if you have:

• Frequent skin irritation from shaving (ingrown hairs) or friction
• A weakened immune system (such as from diabetes)
• Close contact with someone who has boils or MRSA
• Skin conditions like eczema or hidradenitis suppurativa

Stages of a Boil

Boils develop in a series of stages. In the early stage, a small, discolored bump appears and feels tender. Over the next few days, it swells and becomes more painful as pus collects beneath the skin. Eventually, a yellow or white tip forms, signaling that the boil is ready to drain. Once drained, either naturally or with medical help, pain eases, swelling goes down, and healing begins.

If a boil stalls in its progress or becomes more painful and swollen, it’s time to see a doctor.

What Ointment Draws Out a Boil?

When a boil is just starting, and before a pus pocket (abscess) has fully formed, doctors may recommend applying a warm, moist compress soaked in an antiseptic solution or “drawing salve” containing ammonium bituminosulfonate, also called ichthammol. This product can be found over the counter, usually labeled with the shorter name.

The moist heat and medicated salve can help the boil come to a head faster so it can drain naturally or be safely opened by a healthcare provider. It’s important to understand that antibiotic creams do not draw out boils; they work by killing bacteria, not by bringing pus to the surface.

Caring for a Boil at Home

If your boil is small and mild, you may be able to treat it at home while keeping a close eye on how it develops. The most important step is to keep the area clean and apply warm compresses several times daily. This softens the skin, relieves discomfort, and helps the boil come to a head naturally. If the boil begins to drain, cover it loosely with a sterile bandage to prevent the infection from spreading.

Avoid trying to squeeze or pop it yourself, as this can push bacteria deeper into the skin and cause more damage.

Best Antibiotic Cream for Boils

Although topical antibiotics are not generally recommended for treatment of boils, doctors may sometimes prescribe topical antibiotics in combination with incision and drainage. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics may include:

• Clindamycin 2%
• Fusidic acid 2%
• Mupirocin 2%

Over-the-Counter Antibiotics for Boils

It’s common to think an over-the-counter ointment like bacitracin or triple antibiotic cream will work for a boil. In reality, these products are meant for preventing infection in small cuts or scrapes, not treating deep infections. They can’t reach the pus pocket under the skin, so they’re unlikely to help and could delay the right treatment.

Boils in Sensitive Areas

Boils in the groin, buttocks, or genital area can be particularly uncomfortable. Warm compresses are still helpful, but because these areas are prone to complications, a doctor should examine them. Treatment may include topical mupirocin or clindamycin, oral antibiotics if the infection is spreading, or drainage under sterile conditions.

What Do Dermatologists Recommend?

Dermatologists look at the boil’s size, severity, and frequency before deciding on treatment.

Small boils may only need warm compresses and good hygiene, with a prescription cream in some cases. Larger or more severe boils often require drainage and oral antibiotics. If MRSA is suspected, treatment will be adjusted accordingly.

When Oral Antibiotics Are Needed?

Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed when:

• The boil is large or deep.
• The boil is located on your face (especially the upper lip or nose).
• Multiple boils are present.
• Fever or other signs of systemic infection appear.

Why Don’t All Boils Need Antibiotics?

Not every boil needs an antibiotic. Many heal with drainage alone. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance, making future infections harder to treat. Doctors reserve antibiotics for severe, spreading, or recurrent cases where the benefits outweigh the risks.

Supportive Home Remedies

Some at-home measures can help recovery alongside medical care. Warm compresses can encourage drainage. Maintaining proper hygiene by frequent bathing and laundering can help. Wearing loose, breathable clothing can lower irritation in sensitive areas.

Recurring Boils and Hidradenitis Suppurativa

If boils keep showing up, especially in the same places — like the armpits, groin, buttocks, or under the breasts — you may have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a chronic condition involving blocked hair follicles and inflammation. HS is not caused by the Staphylococcus aureus infection that causes most boils. It is not contagious and generally needs ongoing treatment.

Mild HS can be treated with prescription topical antibiotics. More persistent cases may require oral medications such as oral antibiotics or hormonal therapy. Biologic medications and surgery can also be appropriate. Lifestyle changes, like avoiding smoking, reducing friction, and maintaining a healthy weight, can also reduce flare-ups.

If your boils keep coming back, seek out care from a dermatologist to better understand what is causing your symptoms.

When To Seek Urgent Care

Get medical help quickly if:

• The boil is on your face, near your eye, or in the genital area.
• You develop fever or chills.
• It doesn’t improve after a week of home care.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with HS, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you ever had a boil and used antibiotic cream for it? Let others know in the comments below.