Home :: Family Health :: Boil

Boil - Boil symptom, treatment, causes

Boil is an abscessin the skin resulting from bacterial infection (usually by Staphylococcus aureus, 'golden staph') that begins in a hair follicle and spreads beyond the natural boundary of the fol1icle (as opposed to a pimple, which is confined to the follicle) to form a painful red lump. Nearby lymph glands are often swollen and tender. Boils (also called furuncles) occur most often on the buttocks and thighs and in the groins and armpits.

Boil or furuncle is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles, thus resulting in the localized accumulation of pus and dead tissues. Some people are more susceptible than others to boils. Another name for a boil is a furuncle, and when multiple boils occur on the body, the condition is called furunculosis. Boils are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or staph, a strain of bacteria that normally live on the skin surface. It is thought that a tiny cut of the skin allows this bacterium to enter the follicles and cause an infection. A pimple is a mini-boil. Boiling occurs in three characteristic stages, which are nucleate, transition and film boiling. These stages generally take place from low to high surface temperatures, respectively. The symptoms of boils are red, pus -filled lumps that are tender, warm, and/or painful. A yellow or white point at the center of the lump can be seen when the boil is ready to drain or discharge pus. Single boils may be lanced and heal eventually. Recurrent boils can prove difficult to treat, although there are several possible treatments that may break the cycle including washing with chlorhexidine soap and specialised antibiotic regimens.

As a boil starts to develop, the body's immune system carries white cells in the blood to the site of the boil to do battle with the invading bacteria. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles. In severe cases, boils may develop to form abscesses. In some people, itching may develop before the lumps begin to develop. Boils are most often found on the back, underarms, shoulders, face, thighs, and buttocks. An irregular surface of the boiling vessel can create additional nucleation sites, while an exceptionally smooth surface, such as glass, lends itself to superheating. People with immune system disorders, diabetes, poor hygiene or malnutrition are particularly susceptible to getting boils. However they may also occur in healthy, hygienic individuals. A boil will always start to "point" towards the skin surface and will eventually burst, draining the pus, relieving pain and will then heal. This whole process can take 2 weeks. The treatment of small boils consists of scrupulous cleanliness, protection from irritation, and applications of antibiotic ointments and moist heat. Large boils, especially those on the nose, upper lip, or near the eyes, must be treated professionally with antibiotics.

Causes of Boil

The common causes and risk factor's of Boil include the following:

• An infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or staph, a strain of bacteria that normally live on the skin surface.
• Anti-perspirant deodorants.
• People with immune system disorders, diabetes, poor hygiene or malnutrition are particularly susceptible to getting boils.
• Ingrown hair.
• Plugged sweat glands that become infected.
• Many medications can suppress the normal immune system and increase the risk of developing boils.
• Sometimes boils develop after exposure to someone with boils or another skin infection.

Symptoms of Boil

Some sign and symptoms related to Boil are as follows:

• Red, pus -filled lumps that are tender, warm, and painful.
• A yellow or white point at the center of the lump can be seen when the boil is ready to drain or discharge pus.
• Local lymph node swelling.
• In some people, itching may develop before the lumps begin to develop.
• Sometimes the boil will emit an unpleasant smell.

Treatment of Boil

Here is list of the methods to treat Boil:

• For most people, self-care by applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water can help alleviate the pain and hasten draining of the pus (colloquially referred to as "bringing the boil to a head").
• Bexatrol is one of the most effective natural treatments for boils, with many people experience amazing results in just a few days.
• In serious cases, prescription oral antibiotics such as dicloxacillin (Dynapen) or cephalexin (Keflex), or topical antibiotics, are commonly used.
• For patients allergic to penicillin-based drugs, erythromycin (E-base, Erycin) may also be used.
• If you are iron deficient, a course of iron tablets may help reduce infection.
• 1000mg of vitamin C each day has also been advocated.

A boil usually comes to a head and, after discharging the dead issue and pus that form its core, begins to heal. Because tissue destruction has extended into deep layers of the skin, a scar is left after healing. Pus discharged by a boil may spread to nearby or distant hair follicles, resulting in clus-tersora succession of boils. For this reason the pus mayneedto be cultured to identify the bacteria causing the infection so that the appropriate ant-biotic can be used to eradicate it.

A blind boil is one in which the skin over the core of the abscess does not break down to release the pus. Surgical opening and drainage are usually necessary to prevent further tissue destruction and to speed up healing.