Boils appear on the skin as red pus-filled lumps, very tender to the touch. Caused by the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria collecting around a hair follicle, a boil can be very painful and is very contagious. Boils are more frequent during times of stress, illness, as a result of an allergic reaction or at times of lower levels of immunity. When fully developed, a boil can look very much like whitehead pimples. Boils can range in size from a small pimple to the size of a quarter or larger. Though easily treated at home with moist heat and lancing, some boils do need a doctor’s attention.
If the area surrounding the boil is hard, is red and has red lines traveling outward, this can be a sign of a deeper infection and must be looked at by a doctor as he may need to prescribe an antibiotic. Visit your doctor if the boil is in a sensitive area such as the rectum, in the groin, near your spine or on your face; if the boil shows no signs of getting better, or if the boil is present and keeps growing for more than 2 weeks. It is especially important to consult your doctor if boils appear after you have had a recent organ transplant or if you have a diagnosis of HIV or diabetes. Cluster boils or carbuncles also need the attention of a medical professional.
However, if you are reasonably healthy and this is a small boil in an easy to reach place, there are several home treatments available. The best treatment for a boil is to wash the area with an antibacterial soap with warm water. Then place a very warm, moist washcloth on the area for 15-25 minutes. Pat the area dry and cover with a bandage and antibacterial cream such as Neosporin. Do this twice a day.
Once the boil softens and comes to a white head, it can be lanced and drained. After lancing or “popping” the boil, again wash the area with antibacterial soap and warm water and cover with a bandage to absorb any remaining fluid. Keeping the area clean is very important to prevent spreading. Do not lance or pop a boil that is hard and has no real center. This can cause further infection deeper into the skin, resulting in a visit to the doctor for antibiotics.
Other suggestions to treat a boil including washing the area carefully and then massaging the area lightly with garlic or 100% tea tree oil and cover the boil with a clean bandage. Washing with an acne wash and a loofah sponge or other type of exfoliate cloth can release the collected oils and bacteria from the hair follicles and prevent boils from forming. A loofah brush with a long handle is especially useful to clean your back or other hard to reach places.
Remember, boils can and do disappear on their own, usually within 10-14 days. If the boil spreads or it continues to get worse after home treatment, schedule a visit for the doctor to access the situation and receive further treatment.
For additional information on how to prevent and treat boils, visit the MayoClinc.com or WebMD.com websites on the internet.
