Contents
- Boil – risk factors
- Boil – complications
- Boil – prophylaxis
- Boil and pimple
- Home remedies for boils
- Home remedies for boils – application of heat
- Home remedies for boils – tea tree oil
- Home remedies for boils – turmeric powder
- Home remedies for boils – Epsom salt
- Home remedies for boils – over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
- Home remedies for boils – castor oil
- Home remedies for boils – Indian honey oil
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Skin boils look like large pimples and can be mistaken for spider bites. Boils (also called an abscess or furuncle) are caused by staph bacteria and appear on the skin as a red to purple lump with a white head that contains white and yellow pus. This type of skin lesion is relatively common and can resolve within two weeks with proper care. Treatment is usually done at home, but you may need to see your doctor if the boils are particularly bad or worsening.
A boil, or formerly furuncle, is an infection of the hair follicle caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. This common bacterium inhabits the skin, and about a third of the population carry it in the nose. S. aureus is usually harmless but can cause a range of mild to severe infections if accessed deeper tissues.
Certain areas of the body are more prone to boils, including the face, throat, armpits, groin, and buttocks. The boil on the eyelid is barley. Carbuncle, or boil, is a cluster of interconnected boils and has several pustular holes. Boils usually resolve on their own, but severe or recurring cases require treatment. Options include pricking and draining the boil, and antibiotics.
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist today! Get free advice
See also: Common skin diseases
Boils hurt and itch and are usually diagnosed based on their appearance. The symptoms can be summarized as a red, swollen lump surrounded by red, irritated skin. Eventually, one or more small blackheads (pimples) will appear inside, which are filled with a white or yellow pus-like fluid. Every once in a while, the boils heal without forming a white head.
In the case of numerous boils, the term furunculosis or furunculosis is used, and if they are close together and merge into one lesion, they are called carbuncle or cluster boil (Latin carbunculus).
Boils can be of different sizes. They can be the size of a pea at first, and they can also grow to the size of a golf ball relatively quickly. Boils can occur anywhere on the body. They are most common on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks and thighs. Boils can only occur once, although some people experience them chronically.
Before the appearance of a boil, the skin may itch and some may feel generally weak after it appears. It is recommended that you contact your doctor if you develop fever or chills.
A hair follicle infection that leads to a boil can develop in various parts of the body where the hair is concerned. Quite often, boils are found on the neck, back, thighs or buttocks, as well as on the face, especially near the nose, mouth and ears. They can also appear on the hands, and the armpits and groin are quite likely where the boil will pop out. Boils in intimate places are particularly troublesome and uncomfortable.
Check: Furuncle in the groin – how to treat it?
Boil – risk factors
Boils are most common in adolescents, young adults. Antibacterial soaps and good hygiene can do a lot to prevent the spread of infection.
Athletes who practice contact sports or share equipment can spread staphylococcus bacteria. It is also a problem in military barracks, homeless shelters and other places where people live in close proximity.
At Medonet Market you can order, for example, Naturaphy antibacterial liquid soap with aloe vera extract or Green Laboratory antibacterial liquid soap.
Other people who are at high risk of developing boil problems include those with conditions such as diabetes and skin conditions such as eczema. Staphylococcal infections can cause chronic boils.
In addition, anyone who is not properly nourished, obese, or has a weak immune system (certain medications and diseases weaken the immune system) have a higher chance of developing boils. In these cases, the body has a harder time fighting off the bacteria.
See also: Usually soap is not inferior to antibacterial
In addition to drainage and antibiotics from your doctor, a sick person can help heal boils at home by keeping the affected skin area clean. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people with boils avoid touching or rubbing the affected area unnecessarily.
Experts also recommend:
- the use of antiseptic or antibacterial soap daily for 1 week, and then twice a week for several weeks;
- use of 70% isopropyl alcohol diluted in water daily for 1 week after the formation of the boil;
- washing your hands regularly with soap or using a hand sanitizer.
In the event of a boil rupture, cover the wound with a sterile bandage to prevent impurities from getting inside. It is also a good idea to:
- changing underwear daily;
- avoiding activities that result in rubbing against a wound or sweating;
- avoiding sharing towels and clothes with other people in the house;
- refrain from picking your nose as you may have staphylococcus aureus in your nose.
Doctors also recommend that you apply a warm antiseptic compress to the boil when it first appears.. AAD suggests:
- soaking a clean towel in hot (but not boiling) water;
- adding a little antiseptic and gently pressing the towel against the boil;
- holding the towel in place with gentle pressure for 10-15 minutes.
Some people find it easier to keep the compress in place with a bandage. You can use a warm compress 3-4 times a day until the boil breaks naturally and disappears.
It’s also a good idea to use ointments that can help your boil heal faster. Healing ointments help draw bacteria and pus out of the boil. They usually contain ammonium bitumin sulfonate or ichthyol as active ingredient. In addition to these, over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can reduce the symptoms of a boil, are used to treat boils. They can help with pain and swelling. Follow the instructions on the label and talk to your pharmacist before giving medicines to children or people with other medical conditions.
Zobacz: Ichthyol ointment – indications, properties, contraindications
People with severe boils will need to avoid exercise in the area where the boil started until it heals. This is because exercise can put pressure on the boils and increase the risk of an infection entering your bloodstream. If someone has boils on their face, they may have to avoid talking, unnecessary facial expressions, and chewing. Drinking fluids or eating mushy foods can help. In some cases, the person may need to rest in bed.
How long a boil takes to heal depends on several factors, such as its severity, size or depth. According to the AAD, it usually takes 1 to 3 weeks for the boils to burst and go away on their own. Some experts say many boils heal within 10 days.
See also: WHO provides recipes for hand disinfectants. For use in the fight against coronavirus
Boil – complications
Most boils heal without medical intervention or complications, but in rare cases, boils can lead to more complicated and dangerous conditions. For this reason, it is especially discouraged to squeeze the boils on your own, and instead see a doctor.. In the event of a boil, it is best to visit a dermatologist.
Complications of boils – sepsis
Bacteremia is a bloodstream infection that can occur after a bacterial infection such as a boil. If left untreated, it can lead to severe organ dysfunction such as sepsis.
Complications of boils – MRSA
When an infection is caused by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, it is called MRSA. This type of bacteria can cause boils and make treatment difficult. The infection can be very difficult to treat and requires special antibiotics.
Boil – prophylaxis
Preventing boils has a lot to do with a personal care routine. You should keep yourself as clean as possible and free from excess sweat. Avoid clothing that causes chafing.
To further prevent the possible appearance of boils, you can also:
- avoid sharing with towels or washcloths.
- do not share razors or topical deodorants.
- frequently clean bathtubs, toilets and other frequently touched surfaces.
- cover the existing boils with clean bandages.
- bathe regularly, especially when we sweat.
See also: Excessive sweating – causes, treatment. Home remedies for excessive sweating
Boil and pimple
A pimple is a type of skin condition that can resemble a boil. Pimples are most often seen in people with acne on the face, back, or chest. Pimples can sometimes be filled with pus (like a boil) in addition to dead skin cells and oily secretions. Like boils, pimples form in pores, which are openings for hair follicles in the skin. A boil is usually red and causes more pain than a pimple.
Some pimples and boils can be indistinguishable, and the two conditions result from a similar inflammatory process in the hair follicles, with boils being the more severe cases and representing real infections.
See also: Squeezing pimples – addiction or disease? Causes and consequences of squeezing pimples [WE EXPLAIN]
Home remedies for boils
Although less researched, a few additional home remedies have been shown to naturally make boils dry up or improve their healing time.
According to a 2014 study, one community in northern India uses at least 32 individual plant species to treat boils. In general, the recovery process can be accelerated by using any compound that improves blood flow, enhances immunity, or has antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal properties.
Try the healing anti-microbial calcium alginate dressing Suprasorb A + Ag.
However, there is limited evidence of how effective natural remedies are in treating boils.
Here are natural home remedies with evidence to heal boils.
Home remedies for boils – application of heat
The heat helps increase circulation to an area by bringing more white blood cells and antibodies to that area to fight the infection. Heating a boil is one of the best home remedies you can try. To do this, apply a warm compress to the diseased area for 20 minutes at a time. This is best done three or four times a day, each day until the boil is gone.
Also read: Crimped Eczema – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Home remedies for boils – tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. These properties can help treat the bacterial infection that is causing the boils.
Tea tree oil should not be applied directly to the skin as it may cause a burning sensation. Instead, you better mix five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil. Then apply diluted tea tree oil to a cotton ball and put it on the boil two or three times a day. This should be done daily until the boil is completely gone.
Home remedies for boils – turmeric powder
Turmeric powder has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help heal boils and get rid of them quickly.
You can choose to consume turmeric powder, use it topically to treat boils, or both. To eat it, you need to boil a teaspoon of turmeric in water or milk, and then wait for it to cool down. Drink the mixture three times a day. To use turmeric topically, mix it with water, ginger, or both to make a paste. Apply the paste to the boil at least twice a day.
Home remedies for boils – Epsom salt
Epsom salt is not only a relaxing remedy. It can also help treat boils. Salt can help dry the pus, causing the boil to drain. To do this, dissolve the Epsom salt in warm water and dip the compress in it. Apply the compress to the sick area for 20 minutes. It’s best to do this at least three times a day until the boil is gone.
See also: Bitter salt – properties and application
Home remedies for boils – over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
One such ointment is, for example, Neosporin ointment, which acts quickly and soothes. You should apply antibiotic ointment to the boil at least twice a day until it disappears.
Home remedies for boils – castor oil
Castor oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid, which is a natural yet powerful anti-inflammatory agent. This, combined with its strong antibacterial properties, makes castor oil an excellent natural remedy for boils. You should apply a small amount of castor oil directly to the boil at least three times a day until it is gone.
Home remedies for boils – Indian honey oil
Indian honey oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that can help treat skin infections, including boils. To treat boils with Indian honey oil, you should apply it directly to the boil three to four times a day. However, do not forget to wash your hands before and after application.