Boils

 

Introduction:

Bacteria can cause inflammation of one or more hair follicles. There are three types of these infections:

Folliculitis: This is an inflammation of the hair follicles.

Kiln: This is a deeper infection than folliculitis, in which pus collects under the skin, forming a painful, red lump that appears on the surface of the skin. Boils can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most common in areas with hair, sweat, or friction, such as the neck, face, and groin.

Carbuncles: These are multiple boils clustered in a single area under the skin. The infection is deeper and larger.

Other names for boils:

Abscess - Abscess.

The difference between a wart and a boil:

A wart is a viral infection (see: warts), while a boil is a bacterial infection.

Causes of boils:

They occur when staphylococcus aureus bacteria enter the skin through an injury or break in the skin.

Risk factors:

Anyone can develop boils, but several factors may increase their risk, including:

Direct contact with someone infected with staphylococcus bacteria.

Diabetes, due to a weakened immune system.

Skin conditions that facilitate the entry of bacteria into the body, such as eczema and acne.

Weak immunity.

Symptoms:

A painful red bump (bulge), which begins about the size of a pea.

The skin around the bump becomes red and swollen.

The bump grows larger over several days and fills with pus.

The head of the bump turns yellowish-white and then ruptures, allowing the pus to drain.

When to see a doctor:

You can care for boils at home, but you should see a doctor if more than one boil appears at the same time, or if the boil:

Appears on the face or nose;

Grows larger and worse, or is very painful;

Causes a fever;

Does not go away within two weeks;

Recurs.

Complications:

Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and then spread to other parts of the body. Rarely, if they spread throughout the body, they can lead to severe infections in the bones, brain, or other parts of the body.

Diagnosis:

A boil can be difficult to distinguish from other types of pimples, but it is larger and more painful, and its appearance can be distinguished from other pimples. Your doctor may send a sample of the discharge from the boil to a lab if the patient does not respond to treatment, or if the boil recurs after treatment.

Treatment:

Simple boils: Most clear up without medical intervention within one to three weeks. Severe boils: Your doctor may drain the pus using a needle or make a small incision. The boil is then covered until it heals.

Antibiotics may be used to treat recurring boils.

Treatment of simple boils at home:

Apply a warm compress (avoiding very hot water, especially for children) for 10 to 15 minutes, repeating this process three or four times a day until the boil begins to drain and heal.

Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, may be used if needed.

Keep the affected area clean and avoid touching or rubbing it.

If the boil breaks, cover it with sterile gauze to prevent infection.

Prevention:

Cover wounds and cuts with clean gauze or bandages until they heal.

Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, towels, etc.

Maintain hand hygiene.

Ways to prevent the spread of boils:

Avoid squeezing or opening the boil.

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the boil.

Clean towels and bedding that have come into contact with the boil, especially if the boils recur.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are boils contagious?

Yes, because they are caused by a bacterial infection and are transmitted by touching the boils of an infected person. A person can spread the infection from one area of ​​their body to another if they fail to wash their hands thoroughly and avoid touching the boil.

Misconceptions:

You must squeeze a boil until it heals.

Fact: Of course not. The boil should be left untouched or unsqueezed, as this exposes the affected area to further infection with other types of bacteria. If the boil does break, it should be covered with sterile gauze to prevent infection and spread.