Boils and carbuncles

Description

A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of the hair follicles. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form the connection of an area of infection under the skin.

Boils (furuncles) usually start as reddish or purplish, painful lumps. The bumps quickly fill with pus, growing larger and more painful until they rupture and drain. The areas most likely to be affected are the face, neck, armpits, thighs, and buttocks.

Generally, you can take care of by a single boil at home. But do not attempt to puncture or squeeze it — that can spread the infection.

Symptoms

Boils

Boils can occur in any part of your skin, but appear mainly on the face, neck, armpits, thighs and buttocks — hair-bearing areas where it is more likely to sweat or experience friction. The signs and symptoms of a boil generally include:

  • A painful, red bump that starts small and can be extended to more than 2 inches (5 centimeters)
  • Red or purple, or swelling of the skin around the bump
  • An increase in the size of the bulge in a couple of days as it fills with pus
  • The development of a yellow-white tip at some point breaks down and allows the pus comes out

Anthrax

A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form the connection of an area of the infection. In comparison with a single boils, carbuncles cause a deeper and more severe infection and are more likely to leave a scar. People who have an anthrax often feel bad in general and may experience fever and chills.

When to see a doctor

Usually, you can take care of a single, small boil yourself. But talk to your doctor if you have more of a boil in a while, or if you boil:

  • Occurs on the face, or affects your vision
  • Quickly gets worse, or is extremely painful
  • Causes of fever
  • Becomes larger, despite the self-care
  • It has not healed within two weeks
  • Repeats

Causes

Most boils are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which is a type of bacteria that is commonly found on the skin and inside the nose. A bump forms as pus collects under the skin. Boiling sometimes develop at sites where the skin has been broken by a small wound or sting of an insect, which gives the bacteria easy entry.

Risk factors

Although any person — including a healthy person can develop boils or carbuncles, the following factors may increase your risk:

  • Close contact with a person who has a staph infection. You're more likely to develop an infection if you live with someone who has a boil or carbuncle.
  • Diabetes. This disease can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, including bacterial infections of the skin.
  • Other conditions of the skin. Due to the damage to its protective barrier of the skin, skin problems, like acne and eczema, making it more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.
  • Compromised immunity. If your immune system is weakened for any reason, you are more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.

Complications

Rarely, the bacteria from a boil or carbuncle can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. The spread of the infection, commonly known as blood poisoning (sepsis), can lead to infections deep within your body, such as the heart (endocarditis) and the bone (osteomyelitis).

Prevention

Not always it is possible to prevent boil, especially if you have a weakened immune system. But the following measures can help prevent staph infections:

  • Wash your hands frequently with mild soap. Or use an alcohol-based hand rub often. Careful hand washing is your best defense against germs.
  • Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal.
  • Avoid sharing personal items. Do not share towels, sheets, razors, clothing, sports equipment and other personal items. Staph infections can spread through the objects, as well as from person to person. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linen for the use of detergent and hot water, with the addition of chlorine, and dry in a hot dryer.

Boils and carbuncles

Diagnosis

It is likely that your doctor will be able to diagnose a boil or carbuncle just by looking at it. A sample of the pus may be sent to the lab for analysis. This can be useful if you have recurring yeast infections or an infection that has not responded to standard treatment.

Many varieties of the bacteria that cause boils have become resistant to certain types of antibiotics. So that laboratory tests can help to determine what type of antibiotic would work best in your situation.

Treatment

In general, you can treat small boils in the home through the application of a warm compress to relieve the pain and promote natural drainage.

For larger boils and carbuncles, the treatment may include:

  • Incision and drainage. Your doctor may drain a large boil or carbuncle by making an incision in it. Deep infections that can not be completely drained can be packed with a sterile gauze pad to help absorb and eliminate other pus.
  • Antibiotics. Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help cure severe or recurrent infections.

Self-care

For small boils, these measures may help the infection heal more quickly and prevent it from spreading:

  • The application of warm compresses. Apply a warm washcloth or compress to the affected area several times a day, for about 10 minutes each time. This helps the boil of the rupture and drain more quickly.
  • Never squeeze or lance a boil yourself. This can spread the infection.
  • Prevent contamination. Wash your hands after treating a boil. Also, wash clothes, towels or pads that have touched the infected area, especially if you have recurrent infections.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your primary care physician or primary care provider in the first place, that can refer you to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist) or infectious diseases.

What you can do

List of all its signs and symptoms and the first time it happened. Log of how long the beating lasted, and if any of the appellants. Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, herbal and over-the-counter medications you are taking. Better yet, take the original bottles, and a list of the dose and directions.

For boils and carbuncles, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • The tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Can't wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
  • What can I do to prevent the spread of infection?
  • What skin care routine do you recommend as the condition is cured?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • What did boil the look as when you started?
  • Your symptoms are painful?
  • Have you had a boil or carbuncle before?
  • You have a fever or chills?
  • Do you have artificial heart valves, joints, or other implanted devices?
Symptoms and treatment of Boils and carbuncles