What is the best ointment to apply for sores on the buttocks?

There is usually no single "best medication," as treatment should be individualized. Commonly used ointments for buttock boils include mupirocin ointment, ichthammol ointment, erythromycin ointment, fusidic acid cream, and Longzhu ointment. The details are as follows:

1. Mupirocin ointment: This topical antibiotic ointment effectively inhibits bacterial growth that causes boils, reduces local inflammatory responses, alleviates redness, swelling, and pain, and promotes wound healing. It is suitable for mild infections associated with buttock boils.

2. Ichthammol ointment: Known for its hard tissue-softening, anti-inflammatory, and dispersing effects, this ointment helps soften and mature the indurated areas of boils on the buttocks, facilitating pus drainage. It is ideal during the early stage of a boil when there is obvious redness, swelling, and hardness but no rupture yet, helping accelerate recovery.

3. Erythromycin ointment: With antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and a gentle formulation, it relieves redness, swelling, and pain caused by buttock boils, prevents the spread of infection, and forms a protective film over the affected area to reduce external irritation. It is suitable for sensitive skin or mild cases of boils.

4. Fusidic acid cream: By inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, it exerts potent antibacterial effects and is effective in controlling moderate to severe infections resulting from buttock boils. It rapidly reduces inflammation and pain while aiding in the repair of damaged skin.

5. Longzhu ointment: A traditional Chinese medicine ointment that clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling, relieves pain, removes necrotic tissue, and promotes tissue regeneration. It alleviates redness and pain associated with buttock boils, stimulates granulation tissue growth, and accelerates wound healing. It is suitable for various types of buttock boils.

Prior to applying any ointment, clean the affected skin on the buttocks and gently pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a small amount thinly, avoiding vigorous rubbing of the lesion. If the boil ruptures with pus discharge, or if symptoms fail to improve or worsen after using the ointment, seek medical attention promptly.