NSFW: Preventing infection from boil?

Asked by livelaughlove21 (15724) October 19th, 2012 from iPhone

A little over 2 months ago, I got a few bumps on my labia minora and majora. Worried about herpes, I went to my doctor. No herpes. The bumps eventually popped, pus came out, then they went away.

For the next month and a half, I had hypersensitivity and tenderness caused by friction on my labia majora that kept me from wearing certain clothes, exercising, and having sex. It was awful, but 3 doctors couldn’t figure out what it was.

After 3 weeks of using steroid gel, it went away for the most part.

Two days ago, I found another bump. This one is bigger than the others, red, and painful. I’ve been soaking in warm baths daily and today it finally popped. Pus and blood came out. This was just after my soak, so I wrinsed the area with warm water and left it alone.

I don’t want to go through that pain again. I’m NOT looking for a diagnosis! But I think the bump may be a boil caused by staph or something. I don’t want it to spread, so can I put bactitracin ointment on it? What else can I do to prevent the infection from spreading or getting worse?

I have a doctor’s appointment Monday, but I want to do what I can for it now.

Note: PLEASE don’t suggest cotton underwear, loose clothes, tea tree oil, etc. Trust me, I’ve been through it all. I only use a small amount of unscented dove soap for sensitive skin, I don’t use fragrances or douches, and it’s not a latex allergy.