Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Definition of boils
Boils or boils are bumps on the skin that are filled with pus. One of these infectious skin diseases is usually caused by an infection of the hair follicles in the skin.
Boils can appear on the face, back of the neck, armpits, buttocks, and thighs. There are even boils in the groin. Boils may also appear more than 1 lump at the same time. This condition is generally not serious and easy to cure.
How common is this condition?
Boils are one of the most common skin diseases. Women, men, old, and young can experience it from time to time.
Even so, those who are sick and are taking certain drugs that affect the immune system will be more susceptible to developing ulcers.
People with certain health conditions that lower the body’s immune system are also more susceptible, such as diabetes or kidney failure. If you have a weak immune system, for example because of old age or because of HIV, you are also prone to developing ulcers.
In general, boils are associated with other causes. Discuss with your doctor for more information.
Signs and symptoms of boils
This condition usually appears as a skin rash that hurts when you touch it. Gradually, this reddish rash forms small, hard lumps, fills with pus, and feels painful.
This lump is about 1.5 cm in diameter which later can enlarge to 5 cm. The larger the diameter of the boil, the more painful it will be to touch.
Several lumps are found in the deeper layers of the skin, then appear and discharge filled with blood and white fluid. Once the lump is filled with pus, the pain will decrease but the swelling and redness will persist within a few days or weeks. This condition can also cause swelling.
If not treated properly, this condition can spread into the bloodstream and infect surrounding organs, causing infection.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
How to distinguish boils and pimples?
Many people are often confused about the difference between lumps, boils, and pimples. The reason is, the two can look very similar.
Both boils and pimples can sometimes make your skin red and the bumps painful to the touch. In fact, the causes of boils and pimples are different. Likewise with how to treat it.
Acne is a condition in which the pores of the skin become clogged with oil or a buildup of dead skin cells. Indeed, pimples can also cause pimples that fester, but they will not increase in size. Boils also often look like they are swollen, whereas pimples are not.
Another difference is in the location where it appears. Acne is more common in areas with very active oil glands such as the face, chest, or back. Meanwhile, boils usually appear in areas that frequently sweat or rub against clothing, such as pimples on the buttocks, armpits, and thighs.
If you are still confused about whether you have boils and pimples, don’t hesitate to ask directly to a dermatologist who will explain in detail as well as check your condition to determine the right treatment for your condition.
When should I see a doctor?
This condition rarely requires special medical treatment by a doctor. The reason is, boils can improve on their own within a few days after appearance.
Even so, you should contact your doctor immediately if one or more of the following symptoms appear.
- More than 1 lump appears at the same time (carbuncle).
- Lumps appear on the face and are bothersome.
- Symptoms get worse or feel very painful.
- Have a fever to chills.
- The lump is more than 5 cm in diameter.
- Doesn’t heal in two weeks.
- Does not break after self-medication.
- Boils kept coming back.
- There are streaks or redness on the healthy skin around the area of the boil.
- Your lymph nodes are swollen.
- You have a heart murmur, diabetes, problems with your immune system, or are taking drugs that weaken your body’s immune system (such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy) and a pus-filled lump appears on your skin.
Everyone’s body is different. The symptoms that appear can be different. If you have any of the signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult a dermatologist.
Causes and risk factors for boils
Many people think that eating too many eggs causes ulcers. In fact, it’s a myth.
Boils are conditions on the skin that occur when the hair follicles become infected with the bacteria that cause them. The bacteria that cause ulcers are Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are commonly found in the skin, nose and throat.
Infection from ingrown hairs can also be the cause of this condition. Skin that is infected with the bacteria that causes ulcers messes with the immune system, so that the infected area usually becomes pus.
Boils can be transmitted through direct contact between the healthy skin and the pus contained in the bumps. Sharing personal items with people with boils also increases your risk of developing boils.
In some cases, boils can also cause sores on the skin that make it easier for the boil-causing bacteria to enter through scratching or insect bites.
Other causes of boils include:
- wound infection,
- poor level of cleanliness,
- often wear tight clothes, as well
- frequent exposure to chemicals or cosmetics.
This disease can get worse and cause bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream. If left untreated, boils can lead to more severe infections.
There may be several other causes of boils which were not listed above. Consult a doctor for more information.
What are the risk factors for boils?
Some of the factors that can increase your exposure to boils include the following.
- Skin contact with people who have boils.
- Have a low immune system.
- Have diseases that can weaken your immune system such as diabetes and HIV. These diseases make it more difficult for the body to fight infection.
- Other skin conditions such as acne and eczema (atopic dematitis). The reason is, acne and eczema can damage the protective layer of the skin which makes you more susceptible to this disease.
Medication and treatment of boils
There are various types of ulcers. For small boils, you can do your own treatment at home. However, for larger boils, you may need special treatment.
Home treatment is simply done by compressing the boil using a cloth that has been soaked in warm water for 10 minutes. This step can be done several times a day. The goal, compresses will help the boil to break faster and remove the fluid.
The steps above can also reduce pain and provoke the pus in the lump to rise to the surface. Don’t forget, always wash your hands thoroughly before and after you touch this pus-filled lump.
You can also treat boils with drugs sold at pharmacies. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics if you have severe ulcers.
Below are some boil medications that can help speed up the healing process of your disease.
Benzocaine
This one boil medicine can help relieve pain when you have pus-filled bumps on the skin. This is because the ingredients in benzocaine ointment can block pain signals.
Use the ointment according to your doctor’s instructions or on the label. Usually, the use of this boil ointment is able to reduce pain.
So, make sure you don’t overuse this boil ointment as it might actually cause side effects.
Mupirocin
Mupirocin is one of the antibiotic ointments for treating boils. If used according to the rules of use, this boil ointment is very effective in fighting and inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause ulcers.
Use this boil medicine regularly to get maximum benefits. Continue to use this medication until the prescribed one is finished. Stopping the use of the drug too quickly can continue to grow bacteria.
Gentamicin
Gentamicin is a boil ointment containing a broad spectrum of antibiotics that can treat boils on the skin. This ointment belongs to the class of aminoglycoside antibiotics which work by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause ulcers.
To use it, you can simply apply the ointment in a thin layer on the bumps at least 3-4 times a day. This antibiotic works best if you use it consistently at the same times.
Continue to use this medication until the prescribed one is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the drug too quickly can allow the bacteria to continue to grow, which can eventually become infected again.
However, it is recommended that you do not use this ointment for more than two weeks. The reason is, long-term use can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance alias resistance. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.
You may also need ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain relief.
If the infection has spread to deeper or expanded tissue, a pus sample may be taken to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection more accurately.
The results of the pus sample can help the doctor to determine the choice of antibiotics that can be used to treat ulcers. When used appropriately, they can help relieve pain from the inflamed, pus-filled lumps.
For more severe cases, surgery can also be performed to drain the pus in a large, deep lump. Each condition can be different. Consult your doctor for the right therapy for you.
How to diagnose boils?
The doctor will examine the infected skin and take a sample of pus for examination. Usually a pus sample is taken to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection more accurately.
The results of the pus sample can guide your doctor about which antibiotics to use to treat your problem.
Home care
Here are some things to do to help heal boils.
- Reduce physical activity until the infection clears up completely. Avoid sweating and sports while you have an ulcer.
- Perform warm compresses regularly. This can help you drain the pus in the lump.
- Never squeeze the pus-filled lumps as this can spread the infection to the surrounding skin area.
- Change clothes and bed linen every day, wash them with hot water and detergent.
- Contact your doctor if your symptoms and condition do not improve despite treatment.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
