Get To Know About Boils And Be Free From It Today

Diseases and Conditions, Health Solutions

What Is a Boil?

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. Also referred to as a skin abscess, it is a localized infection deep in the skin. Boils can be as small as a pea or as large as a golf ball and can develop on any part of the body. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends via the bloodstream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus. Finally, the pus “forms a head,” which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin.

Boil Symptoms

A boil starts as a hard, red, painful lump usually less than an inch in size. Over the next few days, the lump becomes softer, larger, and more painful. Soon a pocket of pus forms on the top of the boil.

Signs of a severe infection are ;

  • The skin around the boil becomes red, painful, and swollen;
  • More boils may appear around the original one;
  • A fever develops
  • The lymph nodes in the area become swollen.

Where Do Boils Form?

Location of boils

The most common places for boils to appear are on the

  • neck,
  • armpits,
  • shoulders,
  • buttocks,
  • eyelid (when one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty.)

What Causes Boils?

There are many causes of boils. Boils are usually caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus (staph). This germ can be present on normal skin and enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin or by traveling down a hair to the follicle. Some boils can be caused by an ingrown hair.

Others can form as the result of a splinter or other foreign material that has become lodged in the skin that causes the infection to develop. Others boils, such as those of acne, are caused by plugged sweat glands that become infected.

The skin is an essential part of our immune defense against materials and microbes that are foreign to our body. Any break in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, can develop into an abscess (boil) should it then become infected with bacteria.

What Is the Treatment for a Boil?

Although boils can be often painful and unsightly, boils are not a serious problem and can be effectively treated at home. Ideally, the treatment should begin as soon as a boil is noticed since early treatment may prevent later complications.

The primary treatment for most boils is heat application, usually with hot soaks or hot packs. Heat application increases the circulation to the area and allows the body to better fight off the infection by bringing antibodies and white blood cells to the site of infection.

Another method of treating boil is to wash the drained boil with antibacterial soap. Once the boil starts draining, it is very important that you keep the area clean. Wash the boil thoroughly with an antibacterial soap and warm water, until all of the pus has drained. Once clean, dry the boil with a clean towel or some paper towel, which should be washed or thrown away immediately after use, to avoid spreading the infection.

As the surface of the boil softens and fills with pus, it may be tempting to burst the skin with a needle and drain the contents yourself. However, this is not recommended as it can cause the boil to become infected or the bacteria within the boil to spread, causing multiple boils.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Boils ?

Practice good hygiene.
Good hygiene is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent boils As boils are usually caused by bacteria infecting the hair follicles, you should prevent the build up of bacteria on the surface of the skin by washing daily. Normal soap is fine, but if you are prone to developing boils, an antibacterial wash may be better.

Avoid sitting down for extended periods of time.
 Boils that form between the buttocks, also known as “pilonidal cysts,” usually develop as a result of direct pressure caused by sitting down for long periods of time. They are common in truck drivers and people who have recently traveled on a long flight. If possible, try to relieve the pressure by taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs.
Clean any cuts or wounds immediately and thoroughly.
 Bacteria can easily enter the body through cuts and wounds on the skin. It can then travel down the hair follicle where it causes infection and the development of boils. To avoid this, make sure to clean all minor cuts and scrapes well with an antibacterial wash, apply a cream or ointment, and cover with a bandage until healed.

Frequent Questions People Asked About Me Boil

1. Are Boils Contagious?

Boils themselves are not contagious, but the bacteria that cause boils are. Until it drains and heals, an active skin boil is contagious. The infection can spread to other parts of the person’s body or to other people through skin-to-skin contact or the sharing of personal items.

2. Should Boils Be Drained?

As long as the boil is small and firm, opening the area and draining the boil is not helpful, even if the area is painful. However, once the boil becomes soft or “forms a head” (that is, a small pustule is noted in the boil), it can be ready to drain. Once drained, pain relief can be dramatic. Most small boils, such as those that form around hairs, drain on their own with soaking and/or heat application. On occasion, and especially with larger boils, the larger boil will need to be drained or “lanced” by a health-care practitioner. Frequently, these larger boils contain several pockets of pus that must be opened and drained.

3. When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

You should call your doctor and seek medical attention if:

  • the boil is located on your face, near your spine, or near your anus;
  • a boil is getting larger;
  • the pain is severe;
  • you have a fever;
  • the skin around the boil turns red or red streaks appear;
  • you have a heart murmur, diabetes, any problem with your immune system, or use immune-suppressing drugs (for example, corticosteroids or chemotherapy) and you develop a boil;
  • the boil has not improved after five to seven days of home treatment;
  • you get many boils over several months.

Don’t forget to take good care of your body. Stay healthy always.

Do you have any question you would like to ask me too ?
9 Comments

9 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  −  2  =  4