BOILS

General Information

DEFINITION--A painful, deep, bacterial infection of a hair follicle. Boils are common and somewhat contagious. They can occur anywhere on the skin. Carbuncles are clusters of boils that occur when the infection spreads through small tunnels underneath the skin.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Skin on the neck, face, buttocks, and breasts; hair follicles.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• A domed nodule that is painful, tender and red and has pus on the surface. Boils can appear suddenly and ripen in 24 hours. They are usually 1-1/2cm to 3cm in diameter; some are larger.
• Fever (rare).
• Swelling of the closest lymph glands.

CAUSES--Infection, usually from Staphylococcus bacteria, that begins in the hair follicle and bores into the skin's deeper layers.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Poor nutrition.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Use of immunosuppressive drugs.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Keep the skin clean.
• If someone in the household has a boil, don't share towels or washcloths or clothing with that person.
• If you have a chronic disease (such as diabetes mellitus), be sure to follow your medical regimen.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory culture of the pus (sometimes).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Doctor's treatment, which may include incision and drainage of the boil.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• The infection may enter the bloodstream and spread to other body parts.
• Scarring.
• Boils may recur.
• Family members may need treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Without treatment, a boil will heal in 10 to 20 days. With treatment, the boil should heal in less time, symptoms will be less severe, and new boils should not appear. The pus that drains when a boil opens spontaneously may contaminate nearby skin, causing new boils.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Do not burst a boil as this may spread bacteria.
• Taking showers instead of baths reduces chances of spreading infection.
• Relieve pain with gentle heat from warm-water soaks. Use 3 or 4 times daily for 20 minutes. Wash your hands carefully after touching the boil.
• Prevent the spread of boils by using clean towels only once or using paper towels and discarding them.

MEDICATION--

• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
• Don't use non-prescription antibiotic creams or ointments on the boil's surface. They are ineffective.

ACTIVITY--Decrease activity until the boil heals. Avoid sweating and avoid contact sports (such as wrestling) while lesions are present.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have a boil.
• The following occurs during treatment: Symptoms don't improve in 3 to 4 days, despite treatment. New boils appear. You have a fever. Other family members develop boils.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.