Boil – symptoms, treatment. How to avoid a boil?

The boil is a purulent inflammation of the hair follicle and its surroundings, therefore it only appears on the hairy skin. It is a very common condition, but it should not be underestimated. Untreated or improperly treated boils can result in serious complications. The treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. A boil properly diagnosed and treated poses no threat.

Boil – how to characterize it?

A boil is a purulent inflammation of the hair follicles and their surroundings, occurring on the hairy skin. It is also called an abscess, ulcer and staphylococcus. Boils take the form of ugly ulcers and are quite painful. First, a pimple with pus or blood pops up, showing a slight reddening, indicating a bacterial infection caused by staphylococcus.

As the symptoms develop, a small lump appears, which turns white after a few days, and pus begins to accumulate under the skin. Boil is a fairly common condition that should not be ignored as it can cause serious complications. Therefore, in each case, you should visit a doctor who will select the appropriate form of treatment.

Boil – symptoms

The symptoms have to do with its properties as purulent inflammation: first a reddened lump appears that turns into a sore bladder with pus. People with a boil feel unwell, have a high temperature, and painful lymph nodes (those closest to the boil).

The boil is usually mild, the purulent ulcer breaks through by itself, although complications can occur in some cases. For example, a boil on the face can be dangerous as the infection can spread to nearby veins and eventually reach the skull.

A boil that enters the skull can cause cavernous sinusitis, which is a direct threat to the patient’s life. It manifests itself as chills, temperature, stiff neck, pain and swelling of the eyelids, and double vision. Therefore, each case of boils should be consulted with a doctor!

See also: Ichthyol ointment – properties, contraindications. How does ichthyol ointment work?

How and where do boils form?

Places exposed to friction and sweat secreting are particularly prone to the formation of boils – pay attention to small and painful nodules with purulent vesicles (inflammation of the hair follicle), which appear, among others. on the nape and back, hands, groin, buttocks. After some time, the boil forms inside the boil the plug is deadAfter the separation of which the boil is emptied of pus (the soreness then subsides), and the resulting cavity is slowly filled with granulation tissue.

It happens that when the boil clears and heals, more pimples appear on the body – this indicates the chronicity of the disease, which can last for years. It is especially bothersome and unsightly when boils pop up on the face.

The boils of the upper lip and nose are particularly dangerous to health (do not knead), which can lead to septic phlebitis, causing meningitis.

Who is the most common with boils?

The following people are most often exposed to boils:

1. with reduced immunity;
2. diabetes;
3. with kidney disease;
4. with liver diseases;
5. obese; not caring enough about personal hygiene,
6. alcoholics;
7. with cancer;
8. AIDS is chore or HIV;
9. with skin diseases, e.g. atopic dermatitis, eczema or scabies.

Do you want to increase your immunity? Reach for a dietary supplement with vitamin C and bioflavonoids from Puritan’s Pride.

The fact is that a large percentage are staphylococcal carriers. Staphylococcus most commonly occurs in the throat, scalp, nose, and skin folds. It becomes dangerous when our immunity is particularly lowered. Staphylococcus enters the human body through minor cuts or scrapes, and through the hair, attacking the hair follicles. Boils especially like to develop in people:

The most common boils are:

1. a boil of the neck,
2. boil in the armpit,
3. boil on the buttock,
4. boil of a hairy scalp,
5. a boil on the groin,
6. boil on the face,
7. boil on the eyelid (barley).

Barley on the eyelid is not the only cause for concern. If a wart has appeared in the area of ​​the eye, it should be checked whether it is eligible for removal during oculoplastic surgery.

Boil – treatment

Small boils that are rare and usually go away on their own.

In the initial phase of treatment, you can make a dressing of a disinfectant yourself. After the plug separates, we apply a vermilion sulfur ointment on it, and the surrounding skin is disinfected with salicylic alcohol. You can also apply an antibiotic dressing. If left untreated, the boil usually ruptures by itself and sheds the pus it contains.

To treat a boil, see your doctor – home treatment can spread the inflammation. This is especially true for people diagnosed with diabetes, which reduces resistance to this type of infection. Therefore, they should not be punctured or squeezed out by yourself. Warm compresses can be used to relieve pain. The resulting ulcer can also be washed with antibacterial preparations or salicylic alcohol.

A specialist will likely suggest topical antibiotic treatment – this is for a single boil. After a small incision is made on the boil, an antibiotic drain is put inside. What about cluster boils (multiple pimples)? Patients most often take oral antibiotics or are sent to the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics.

Each skin change should be consulted with a dermatologist. If you are concerned that it may be a boil, make an appointment with this specialist immediately. If you are unable to go to a stationary visit, use the e-visit option. Send a photo of the diseased place and receive an e-Prescription and e-Referral after online consultation.

How to avoid a boil?

It is worth remembering that boils are contagious. Therefore, each time you touch an ulcer, you should wash your hands thoroughly to avoid spreading it. People with a boil should thoroughly wash bed linen and all other items that have come into contact with the infected skin lesion after treatment.