What is a boil? Causes, symptoms and treatment of boils

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A boil, also known as furuncle, is a bacterial infection of the hair follicle that also affects surrounding tissue. An infected hair follicle can be on any part of the body, not just the scalp. When a hair follicle becomes infected, inflammation occurs. The boil looks like a red, raised lump on the skin that is concentrated in the hair follicle. If it bursts, cloudy fluid or pus flows out of it. Boils most often appear on the face, neck, thigh, and buttocks.

What is a boil?

A boil (or furuncle) is a deep inflammation of the hair follicle. It is most commonly caused by an infection with the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, which causes a painful swelling in the skin caused by a build-up of pus and dead tissue. In the case of numerous boils, the term furunculosis or furunculosis is used, while the term carbuncle is reserved for boils that are close to each other and combine into one lesion.

Most human infections are caused by coagulase-positive S. aureus strains, due to the ability of bacteria to produce coagulase, an enzyme that can clot the blood. Almost any organ system can become infected with S. aureus. Boils are common on the neck, breasts, face, and buttocks (carbuncle is most common on the nape of the neck). They cause discomfort and can be painful when tightly attached to underlying structures (e.g. on the nose, ear or fingers). They look like lumps or pustules that contain necrotic tissue and bloody pus.

Both boils and carbuncles can affect healthy young people, but are more common in obese, immunocompromised, elderly, and possibly diabetic people. Group cases may occur among people living in crowded rooms with relatively poor hygiene or among people who come into contact with patients infected with virulent strains. Predisposing factors include bacterial colonization of the skin or nostrils, a hot and humid climate, and occlusion or abnormal follicle anatomy (e.g., acne comedones). A common cause is methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Also read: Facial cleansing – home care, beauty treatments, effects

Boil – causes

Most boils are caused by Staphylococcus ureus (which is why boils can also be called staphylococcal infections), a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and nose. Usually, the body’s immune system keeps these bacteria under control, but sometimes they enter the skin through a hair follicle or through cuts or abrasions.

When the skin becomes infected, the immune system responds by sending white blood cells to the affected area to destroy the bacteria. Pus is a build-up of dead bacteria, dead white blood cells, and dead skin.

The following conditions increase your risk of developing boils:

1. diabetes: high blood sugar or glucose levels can reduce the ability of the immune system to respond to infections;
2. drugs: some drugs suppress the immune system;
3. HIV and some other diseases: some conditions suppress the immune system;
4. skin conditions: psoriasis, eczema and acne, a skin condition characterized by extremely dry, itchy skin are chronic conditions that can increase your risk of staphylococcal infection.

Obesity also increases the risk of developing problems with boils. In addition, people with family members with these problems are more likely to develop boils. Boils that keep coming back under the armpit, breast, or groin area may be associated with multiple abscesses in the armpits.

Often times, normal bacteria in the nose or on the skin can lead to an abscess. However, sometimes the infection can spread when people share space, materials, or devices such as clothing and hot tubs.

See also: What is the blood sugar standard in adults?

Boil – symptoms

Boils can appear anywhere on the skin, but they mainly appear on the face, neck, armpits, thighs, and buttocks – the areas of hair where we are most likely to sweat or rub.

Signs and symptoms of boils usually include:

1. a painful red lump that is small at first and may grow to more than 5 centimeters;
2. reddish or purplish, swollen skin around the lump;
3. an increase in the size of the lump in a few days as this one fills with pus;
4. the appearance of a yellow-white tip which eventually bursts and allows the pus to drain.

What are carbuncles?

Carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a combined area of ​​infection. Compared to individual boils, carbuncles cause a deeper and more severe infection and leave a scar more often. People who have carbuncles often feel unwell and may experience fever and chills.

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 discharge. Like boils, pimples begin 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 the boils being more severe and representing real infections.

Also read: Squeezing pimples – addiction or disease? Causes and consequences of squeezing pimples [WE EXPLAIN]

Who heals boils?

Many boils go away without specific treatment, but a dermatologist is a physician who is commonly consulted to treat boils. Other health care professionals who can treat boils include a primary care physician, who may be a GP, pediatrician, or internist. In the event of severe boils or a spreading infection, an infectious disease specialist or surgeon may be consulted.

See also: Healthcare physician to patients: read before you make a fuss

Boil – when to see a doctor?

While boils usually resolve on their own and have an excellent prognosis, there are specific situations in which you should seek medical attention when boils do develop. Rarely, boils can spread or persist, leading to more widespread infections.

Any boil or abscess in a diabetic patient, or in a patient with an underlying disease that may be related to a weakened immune system (such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Additionally, many medications, especially prednisone, which suppress the immune system (the body’s natural system to fight infections) can complicate what would otherwise be a simple boil. People taking these medications should consult their doctor if they develop boils. If you are unsure about the effects of your medications on your immune system, your pharmacist may be able to explain which medications you should be concerned about.

Any boil that is associated with a fever should receive medical attention. Worsening redness of nearby skin and / or the formation of red streaks on the skin (signs that an infection may be spreading), no boil ‘formation’, and the development of multiple boils are other symptoms that warrant a visit to a healthcare professional. Medical attention is also required for boils in infants. Boils located in the face, spine, groin, or rectum may also require medical attention.

A special case is the “hair cyst”, which is a boil between the buttocks. These almost always require treatment, including drainage and insertion of gauze into the open abscess to ensure its continued drainage. Finally, any painful boil that does not go away quickly should be examined by a healthcare professional.

Boil – diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose a boil with a physical examination. A culture may be needed to determine the exact type of bacteria causing the infection and the most appropriate antibiotic. If you suffer from boils frequently, your doctor may want to do a blood test to see if the patient has diabetes or another cause.

See also: Blood morphology – what is this test, what are the standards?

Boil – treatment

Many people do not need to see a doctor for treatment, unless the boil remains large or is very painful for more than 2 weeks. Usually the boil will dry out by this time and begin to heal.

Treatment for persistent boils usually includes steps to aid drainage and healing. Warm compresses can accelerate boil cracking. A warm, moist compress should then be applied throughout the day to facilitate drainage. Warm compresses are recommended to provide both healing and pain relief after a boil ruptures. The heat attracts more blood, and therefore more white flecks, to the affected area and promotes the expansion of pores and the release of pus.

It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after touching the area and avoid squeezing the boil or carbuncle as this increases the risk of spreading infection.

Blood tests may be needed if there are concerns about the seriousness of the infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is severe, such as sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim, mupirocin, cephalexin, clindamycin, doxycycline, or vancomycin.

A large skin abscess from a staphylococcal infection may require surgical opening and drainage, and treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

The doctor may also choose to manually extract the boil with sterile instruments in his office. It is not recommended to try to remove it yourself by squeezing, pricking or cutting a boil. This can increase the risk of deeper infection and severe scarring.

Boil – home remedies

Although less researched, a few additional home remedies have been shown to naturally encourage boils to drain or improve healing time. According to a 2014 study, one community in northern India uses at least 32 individual plant species to treat boils.

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, mix five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil.

The diluted tea tree oil should then be put on a cotton ball and boiled two or three times a day. It is recommended to do this daily until the boil is completely gone.

Home remedies for boils – powdered turmeric

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 consume powdered turmeric, apply it topically to treat boils, or both. To consume it, boil a teaspoon of turmeric in water or milk and then cool it. Drink the mixture three times a day.

To use turmeric topically, in turn, mix turmeric with water, ginger, or both to make a paste. Apply the substance thus obtained 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 take advantage of the Epsom salt properties, you need to dissolve it in warm water and dip a compress in it. The compress should then be applied to the area of ​​the boil for 20 minutes at a time. This should be done at least three times a day until the boil is gone.

Home remedies for boils – over-the-counter antibiotic ointment

You can also get great results by using over-the-counter antibiotic ointments, many of which are both quick and soothing. Since many people keep the Neosporin tube in their medicine cabinet, we may not even have to look far for it. It can also help prevent the spread of infection.

You should apply antibiotic ointment to the boil at least twice a day until it disappears.

See also: What should be in a home medicine cabinet? It could save your life

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 – Neem oil

Indian honey oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that can help treat skin infections, including boils.

To treat boils with neem oil, apply the oil directly to the boil three to four times a day. However, you need to make sure that you wash your hands before and after application.

Home remedies for boils – other remedies

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.

Other natural remedies for boils include:

1. raw onion can be cut into a thick slice, wrapped in gauze and put on the boil for 1 hour once or twice a day;
2. fresh garlic can be squeezed and the squeezed juice applied to the boil for 10 to 30 minutes once or twice a day;
3. the essential oil or epimodium extract can be used on boils with each change of gauze or bandage;
4. Achyranthes aspera extract (Apamarga) or essential oil can be used on boils with any change of gauze or bandage.

Boil – complications

Most boils heal without medical intervention or complications, but in rare cases, boils can lead to more complicated and dangerous conditions.

Boil and 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.

Boil and MRSA

When the infection is caused by S. aureus resistant to methicillin, it is called MRSA, or methicyllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This type of bacteria can cause boils and make treatment difficult. This infection can be very difficult to treat and requires the use of special antibiotics to treat it.

Boil – prophylaxis

Boils can be prevented through good personal hygiene. If you have a staph infection, here are some tips to prevent it from spreading.

1. Wash your hands often.
2. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for wound care, which may include gently debriding the wounds and covering them with bandages.
3. Avoid sharing personal items such as sheets, towels, clothes, or razors.
4. Wash bedding in hot water to kill bacteria.
5. Avoid contact with other people who are infected with staphylococcus or MRSA infections.

Also read: Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?

Boil – prognosis

The prognosis for boils is usually very good. Most boils can be successfully healed if we act quickly enough. However, scarring can be a complication after a particularly large boil has healed. In rare cases, complications of boils occur as the infection spreads.

Sometimes cellulitis, a secondary infection of the deeper layers of the skin, may develop.

Other less common secondary infections can include:

1. impetigo;
2. septic arthritis;
3. osteomyelitis;
4. endocarditis;
5. sepsis;
6. brain abscess.

Also read: The seven worst diseases of bones and joints