By kkhealthcarecentre 
What is a Boil?
A boil is a skin infection that often starts in a hair follicle or oil gland, sometimes referred to as a skin abscess. It can appear as a small bump, like a pea, or as a larger one, up to the size of a golf ball. Boils can show up anywhere on the body. Initially, a boil appears as a red, tender area, then becomes firm and hard over time. Eventually, the center softens and fills with pus, which is a mixture of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins. This pus can either be drained naturally or surgically removed.
Boil Symptoms
A boil usually starts out as a hard, red lump that’s painful and less than an inch wide. Over a few days, the lump enlarges, becomes softer, and more painful as it fills with pus. If a boil becomes more severe, the skin around it might also swell and turn red, more boils might arise, fever might develop, and nearby lymph nodes could swell.
Where Do Boils Form?
Boils commonly appear on the neck, armpits, shoulders, buttocks, and eyelids (called a sty when it’s on an eyelid).
What Causes Boils?
Boils are typically caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus (staph), which can enter the skin through small cuts or navigate down a hair follicle. They can also be triggered by ingrown hairs, splinters, or other foreign materials lodged in the skin, and plugged sweat glands due to acne.
What is the Treatment for a Boil?
While boils can be painful and look unattractive, they are not usually serious and can often be treated at home. It’s best to start treatment early. Applying heat through warm soak or hot packs can enhance circulation and aid the body’s infection-fighting process by bringing antibodies and white blood cells to the area. Once a boil starts draining, it’s crucial to keep the area clean using antibacterial soap and water. Carefully wash and dry the area to avoid spreading the infection. Resist the temptation to open a boil as it may worsen the infection; if needed, seek professional medical help.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Boils?
Good hygiene is vital. Regular washing with normal or antibacterial soap helps reduce bacteria on the skin. To prevent “pilonidal cysts” that occur due to prolonged sitting, such as those commonly seen in truck drivers, try taking breaks to stretch. Clean any cuts or wounds immediately with antibacterial wash, apply ointment, and cover them until healed to prevent infections from forming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boils
1. Are Boils Contagious?
Boils themselves aren’t contagious, but the bacteria causing them are. Until a boil is drained and healed, it can spread the infection through direct contact or by sharing personal items.
2. Should Boils Be Drained?
When boils are small and firm, draining isn’t effective. However, when they become soft or form a “head,” they are ready to drain, which often relieves pain. While small boils may drain naturally, larger ones might require a healthcare professional to do it.
3. When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
You should see a doctor if a boil is on the face, near the spine, or anus, getting bigger, causing severe pain, comes with a fever, shows red streaks, or if you have conditions like a heart murmur, diabetes, or take immune-suppressing medication. Also, seek help if a boil doesn’t improve after a week of home care or if you keep getting them repeatedly.
Take care of your health and feel free to ask more questions!