Boils - A Quick Read

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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!!!