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You never know when or where you might get a boil. But a little self-care is all you'll typically need. How to Treat a Boil tells you what to do when that pesky little red thing shows up.
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Introduction
- They seem to come out of nowhere, those big red, pus-filled lumps, better known as boils. While they're not typically dangerous, they can be painful and contagious. If you're not careful, and they come in contact with any other part of your body, HealingDaily warns that they may cause more boils to develop.HealingDaily.com: Natural Treatments for Boils
- The good news, however, is that most boils can be treated at home without a visit to the doctor. Here's what you do.
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Step 1: Learn the Facts
- In order to diagnose what exactly you're dealing with, you need to be able to identify a boil and know how it's caused.
What is a boil?
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Scientifically known as a furuncle, a boil is a puss-filled bump caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It's basically a localized infection that lives deep in the skin and generally starts as a reddened, tender area.MedicineNet
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The boil is caused due to the bacteria infecting a hair root or a skin pore.C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Pediatric Advisor Boils
Where are they most likely to appear?
- According to the MayoClinic, boils are most likely to occur in areas that tend to sweat or experience friction—on your face, neck, armpits, buttocks, or thighs. Sometimes, they'll appear in clusters. Such clusters are known as carbuncles.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
How likely am I to get a boil?
- Boils are pretty common, but people with immune system disorders are most likely to get them, says MedicineNet. You're also more likely to get boils if you have poor hygiene or habitually scratch a particular area of the skin.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Step 2: Treat Yourself at Home
- On average most boils will heal themselves within two weeks. In the majority of cases, boils can be healed quickly with self-care.C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Pediatric Advisor Boils If your boil lasts for longer than two weeks, talk to your doctor.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- Here are some ways to treat your boil:
- MedicineNet says to apply moist heat to the boil with a hot pack or a warm, wet washcloth. This increases circulation to the area and brings in antibodies and white blood cells to fight off the infection.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- Aetna suggests covering the boil with a clean bandage to protect the infected area.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
- Wash the area daily with antibacterial soap, advises Aetna. You don't want that infection to spread!Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
- You may want to consider taking an antibiotic that kills staph bacteria. Doing so can heal a boil faster, especially in children, says the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Pediatric Advisor Boils
- Antibiotics require a prescription from your doctor.
- MedicineNet suggests you avoid draining the boil when it's small and firm, even if it's painful.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- Once it becomes softer, or develops a small pustule (known as "forming a head"), it'll be ready to drain. Usually, they do so on their own.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- Avoid lancing the boil yourself, you might spread the infection.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- According to MedicineNet, if the boil is large, it may need to be drained or looked at by a medical practitioner.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- HealingDaily says to be very careful once the pus starts draining out of the boil. It is contagious and will spread to other parts of your body or to other people if it's not washed properly.HealingDaily.com: Natural Treatments for Boils
- Always remember to keep the area clean and dry, cautions Aetna. Cover it with pieces of soft cloth or gauze.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
Step 3: Determine Whether You Need Medical Attention
- While most boils aren't anything to be concerned about, there may be times when they are serious and you may need medical advice.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- PeaceHealth, the MayoClinic and Aetna suggest that you should call a doctor if:
- The boil is on a delicate part of the body—your face, rectum, groin or spine.PeaceHealth: Boils
- The boil is very large and shows no sign of healing.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- It seems to be getting worse every day.PeaceHealth: Boils
- You have a fever.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
- You have recurring boils in different parts of the body.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- There are red lines radiating from the boil. This may be an indication that the infection has entered the bloodstream and can be life-threatening. Go to the emergency room.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- If you have HIV or had an organ transplant. These things tend to suppress your immune system.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- If you have diabetes or other illnesses that make you more prone to infections.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
- If you develop a carbuncle, that is, a cluster of boils in one place.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
Step 4: Prevent Boils
- Even though boils aren't typically life threatening, they can be pretty painful. But there are ways to prevent their occurrence. Some tips:
- Use antibacterial soaps regularly, advises MedicineNet. This lessens the chance of bacteria building up on your skin.MedicineNet: Boils (Skin Abscesses) Information, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- If you notice a particular area of your skin that is prone to boils, Aetna suggests you keep it clean and dry. Also, avoid wearing tight fitting clothes so the skin in that area can breathe.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
- The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping cuts and scrapes clean to prevent boils.MayoClinic.com: Boils and carbuncles
- According to PeaceHealth, if you get boils regularly, ask your doctor for a cream or ointment that's applied inside your nose. Boil-causing bacteria sometimes lives in the nose and spreads to other areas.PeaceHealth: Boils
- Have good bowel movement habits, says HealingDaily. Constipation and related problems can be a factor in causing boils. As waste accumulates, it starts being eliminated through the skin.HealingDaily.com: Natural Treatments for Boils
Conclusion
- Most small boils will heal automatically and won't leave a scar. However, larger boils can tend to be painful and may leave a scar if they're present on a sensitive area, such as your face. For most boils though, give them some time and a little self-care, and they'll pop out on their own.Aetna InteliHealth: Boil and Carbuncle
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