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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!!!
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