About boils (skin abscesses)

What is boils (skin abscesses)?

Boil 

A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump under your skin — the result of a bacterial infection of one or more hair follicles.

Carbuncle 

A carbuncle is a cluster of boils — painful, pus-filled bumps — that form a connected area of infection under the skin.

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

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

You can usually care for a single boil at home. But don't attempt to prick or squeeze it — that may spread the infection.

What are the symptoms for boils (skin abscesses)?

White symptom was found in the boils (skin abscesses) condition

Boils can occur anywhere on your skin, but appear mainly on the face, back of the neck, armpits, thighs and buttocks — hair-bearing areas where you're most likely to sweat or experience friction. Signs and symptoms of a boil usually include:

  • A painful, red bump that starts out small and can enlarge to more than 2 inches (5 centimeters)
  • Reddish or purplish, Swollen skin around the bump
  • An increase in the size of the bump over a few days as it fills with pus
  • Development of a yellow-white tip that eventually ruptures and allows the Pus to drain out

Carbuncles

A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a connected area of infection. Compared with single boils, carbuncles cause a deeper and more severe infection and are more likely to leave a scar. People who have a carbuncle often feel unwell in general and may experience a Fever and chills.

What are the causes for boils (skin abscesses)?

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

What are the treatments for boils (skin abscesses)?

You can generally treat small boils at home by applying warm compresses to relieve pain and promote natural drainage.

For larger boils and carbuncles, 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't be completely drained may be packed with sterile gauze to help soak up and remove additional pus.
  • Antibiotics. Sometimes your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help heal severe or recurrent infections.

What are the risk factors for boils (skin abscesses)?

Although anyone — including otherwise healthy people — can develop boils or carbuncles, the following factors can 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 infection, including bacterial infections of your skin.
  • Other skin conditions. Because they damage your skin's protective barrier, skin problems, such as acne and eczema, make you more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.
  • Compromised immunity. If your immune system is weakened for any reason, you're more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.

Is there a cure/medications for boils (skin abscesses)?

Boils (skin abscesses) if they are small, can generally be treated at home by applying warm compresses to relieve pain and promote natural drainage. In severe cases, medications and further treatment may be needed.

  • Apply warm compresses and heated water to a boil. In addition to bringing the pus to the surface, this will lessen the pain.
  • When the boil reaches its peak, repeated soaks will cause it to rupture.
  • When the boil begins to drain, clean it with rubbing alcohol after washing it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone.
  • Apply a bandage and a medicinal ointment (topical antibiotic).
  • Until the wound heals, keep washing the infected area two to three times daily and using warm compresses.
  • Additional blood tests will be done if there are questions about how serious the illness is.
  • In the case of a severe infection, the doctor might recommend antibiotics.
  • If the boil is removed, a culture may be performed to identify the kind of bacteria inflicting the infection and evaluate whether the right medication was administered.


Symptoms
Painful, red bumps that starts out small and can enlarge,Reddish or purplish, swollen skin around the bump,An increase in the size of the bump over a few days as it fills with pus,Development of a yellow-white tip that eventually ruptures and allows the pus to drain out
Conditions
Painful, pus-filled bumps
Drugs
Amikacin,Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag),Cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol),Cefotaxime,Cephalexin (Keflex),Clindamycin

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