Boils - A Quick Read

Back to Quick Reads Are you breaking out in firm reddened bump on your skin? Is the bump tender on the bump and around the swelling? What is a boil? is an abscess or collection of pus formed in the skin There are different types of boils furuncle - boil within a hair follicle carbuncle - consists of group of hair follicles and usually larger in area that furuncle Cystic acne - happens when oil ducts clogs Hidradenitis supprativa - abscess that forms under arm pit or in the groin area due to inflammation of the sweat glands. Pilonidal cyst - happens in the crease of the butt  Stye - boil on the eyelid Appearance and Symptoms red bump and maybe firm to touch the bump and the  skin around the bump maybe tender and painful the pus filled inside may ooze or weep from the "head" that forms on the bump fever maybe associated with it there may be swollen lymph nodes nearby the boil When and why does it occur Happens for many reasons ingrown hair foreign material embedded into the skin obstructed sweat glands breaks in the skin from cuts or scrapes How does it start contagious and may affect people around patients who have boils the infection spreads with contact from the fluid that oozes from the boil Trigger and risk Factors weakened immune system immune suppression from medications chemotherapy patients Diabetic patients poor hygiene improper nutrition chemical exposure to skin breaks on the skin from cuts, scrapes , shaving, ingrown hair or insect bites IV drug use  public foot-baths exposure to patients with boils Lifestyle Adaptations Avoid shaving if the boil is a result of shaving Practice good hygiene  Antibacterial wash products may help in preventing the build up of infectious bacteria that causes boils Use warm compress and soak Do not probe or poke into the boils Exercising regularly Treatment Options Antibiotics Hot packs and compression Pain relievers Anti-inflammatory medicines Antibiotic creams and ointments Tea-tree oil Complications uncontrolled fever with the boil skin reddening either around the boil or in streaks severe pain multiple boils              All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!