Boil (patient information): Difference between revisions
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__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
{{Boil}} | {{Boil (patient information)}} | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Boil|here]]''' | |||
{{CMG}} {{AOEIC}} {{UJ}} | {{CMG}} {{AOEIC}} {{UJ}} | ||
== | ==Overview== | ||
A boil is a [[skin infection]] involving an entire [[hair follicle]] and nearby [[skin tissue]]. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Boil?== | |||
A boil may begin as a tender, pinkish-red, [[swollen]], firm area in the [[skin]]. Over time, it will feel like a water-filled balloon or [[cyst]]. | |||
Pain gets worse as it fills with [[pus]] and [[dead tissue]], and improves as it drains. It may drain on its own. More often the patient or someone else opens the boil. | |||
Pain gets worse as it fills with pus and dead tissue, and improves as it drains. It may drain on its own. More often the patient or someone else opens the boil. | |||
The boil: | The boil: | ||
* Is usually pea-sized, but may be as large as a golf ball | * Is usually pea-sized, but may be as large as a golf ball | ||
* May develop white or yellow centers (pustules) | * May develop white or yellow centers ([[pustules]]) | ||
* May join with another boil or spread to other skin areas | * May join with another boil or spread to other [[skin]] areas | ||
* May grow quickly | * May grow quickly | ||
* May weep, ooze, or crust | * May weep, ooze, or crust | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
Other symptoms may include: | Other symptoms may include: | ||
* Fatigue | * [[Fatigue]] | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* General ill-feeling | * General ill-feeling | ||
* Itching before the boil develops | * [[Itching]] before the boil develops | ||
* Skin redness around the boil | * [[Skin redness]] around the [[boil]] | ||
==What causes Boil?== | |||
Boils are very common. They are generally caused by the bacteria [[Staphylococcus aureus]], but they may be caused by other [[bacteria]] or [[fungi]] found on the skin's surface. Damage to the hair follicle allows these bacteria to enter deeper into the tissues of the [[follicle]] and the [[tissue]] underneath. | |||
Boils may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body. They are most common on the [[face]], [[neck]], [[armpit]], [[buttock]]s, and [[thigh]]s. There can be one or many boils. | |||
== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The health care provider can usually diagnose a boil based on how it looks. A culture may show staphylococcus or other bacteria. | The health care provider can usually diagnose a [[boil]] based on how it looks. A culture may show [[staphylococcus]] or other [[bacteria]]. | ||
Boils may heal on their own after a period of itching and mild pain. More often, they increase in discomfort as pus collects. | ==Treatment options== | ||
Boils may heal on their own after a period of [[itching]] and mild [[pain]]. More often, they increase in discomfort as pus collects. | |||
Boils usually must open and drain before they will heal. This usually occurs in less than 2 weeks. | Boils usually must open and drain before they will heal. This usually occurs in less than 2 weeks. | ||
* Warm, moist compresses help boils drain, which speeds healing. Gently soak the area with a warm, moist cloth several times each day. | * Warm, moist compresses help boils drain, which speeds healing. Gently soak the area with a warm, moist cloth several times each day. | ||
* Never squeeze a boil or try to cut it open at home. This can spread the infection and make it worse. | * Never squeeze a boil or try to cut it open at home. This can spread the [[infection]] and make it worse. | ||
* When the boil finally does burst and drain, continue to put warm, wet compresses on the area. | * When the boil finally does burst and drain, continue to put warm, wet compresses on the area. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 52: | ||
* A boil comes back | * A boil comes back | ||
* The boil is on the spine or the middle of the face | * The boil is on the spine or the middle of the face | ||
* The boil occurs with a fever or other symptoms, because the infection may spread and cause complications | * The boil occurs with a [[fever]] or other symptoms, because the infection may spread and cause complications | ||
Careful hygiene is important: | Careful hygiene is important: | ||
| Line 55: | Line 61: | ||
* Change dressings often and throw them out with the drainage, such as by placing them in a bag that can be closed tightly before throwing it out. | * Change dressings often and throw them out with the drainage, such as by placing them in a bag that can be closed tightly before throwing it out. | ||
Antibacterial soaps and | Antibacterial soaps and [[antibiotic]]s placed on the [[skin]] are of little help once a boil has formed. Antibiotics taken by mouth or given as a shot may help a more severe infection or if the boil returns. | ||
Outlook | |||
==Where to find medical care for Boil?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1_____enUS444US444&q=acute%20renal%20failure&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Boil] | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | |||
Some people have repeated abscesses and are unable to prevent them. | Some people have repeated abscesses and are unable to prevent them. | ||
Boils can be very painful if they occur in areas like the ear canal or nose. A health care provider should treat boils of the nose. | Boils can be very painful if they occur in areas like the [[ear canal]] or [[nose]]. A health care provider should treat boils of the nose. | ||
Boils that form close together may expand and join, causing a condition called carbunculosis. | Boils that form close together may expand and join, causing a condition called carbunculosis. | ||
* Abscess of the skin, spinal cord, brain, | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Brain infection | |||
* Endocarditis | * Abscess of the [[skin]], [[spinal cord]], [[brain]], [[kidney]]s, or other organ | ||
* Osteomyelitis | * [[Brain infection]] | ||
* [[Endocarditis]] | |||
* [[Osteomyelitis]] | |||
* Permanent scarring | * Permanent scarring | ||
* Sepsis | * [[Sepsis]] | ||
* Spinal cord infection | * Spinal cord infection | ||
* Spread of infection to other parts of the body or skin surfaces | * Spread of [[infection]] to other parts of the body or skin surfaces | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | |||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if boils: | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if boils: | ||
* Appear on the face or spine | * Appear on the [[face]] or [[spine]] | ||
* Do not heal with home treatment within 1 week | * Do not heal with home treatment within 1 week | ||
* Occur along with a fever, red streaks coming out from the sore, large fluid collections around the boil, or other symptoms | * Occur along with a [[fever]], red streaks coming out from the sore, large fluid collections around the [[boil]], or other symptoms | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
| Line 87: | Line 96: | ||
The following may help prevent the spread of infection: | The following may help prevent the spread of infection: | ||
* Antibacterial | * [[Antibacterial soap]]s | ||
* Antiseptic (germ-killing) washes | * [[Antiseptic]] (germ-killing) washes | ||
* Good hygiene (such as thorough handwashing) | * Good hygiene (such as thorough handwashing) | ||
==Sources== | |||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001474.htm | |||
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | |||
{{WikiDoc Sources}} | |||
[[Category:Dermatology]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:39, 29 July 2020
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Boil |
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Boil On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
A boil is a skin infection involving an entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissue.
What are the symptoms of Boil?
A boil may begin as a tender, pinkish-red, swollen, firm area in the skin. Over time, it will feel like a water-filled balloon or cyst.
Pain gets worse as it fills with pus and dead tissue, and improves as it drains. It may drain on its own. More often the patient or someone else opens the boil.
The boil:
- Is usually pea-sized, but may be as large as a golf ball
- May develop white or yellow centers (pustules)
- May join with another boil or spread to other skin areas
- May grow quickly
- May weep, ooze, or crust
Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- General ill-feeling
- Itching before the boil develops
- Skin redness around the boil
What causes Boil?
Boils are very common. They are generally caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, but they may be caused by other bacteria or fungi found on the skin's surface. Damage to the hair follicle allows these bacteria to enter deeper into the tissues of the follicle and the tissue underneath.
Boils may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body. They are most common on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs. There can be one or many boils.
Diagnosis
The health care provider can usually diagnose a boil based on how it looks. A culture may show staphylococcus or other bacteria.
Treatment options
Boils may heal on their own after a period of itching and mild pain. More often, they increase in discomfort as pus collects.
Boils usually must open and drain before they will heal. This usually occurs in less than 2 weeks.
- Warm, moist compresses help boils drain, which speeds healing. Gently soak the area with a warm, moist cloth several times each day.
- Never squeeze a boil or try to cut it open at home. This can spread the infection and make it worse.
- When the boil finally does burst and drain, continue to put warm, wet compresses on the area.
Deep or large boils may need to be drained with surgery by a health care provider. Treatment by a health care provider is needed if:
- A boil lasts longer than 2 weeks
- A boil comes back
- The boil is on the spine or the middle of the face
- The boil occurs with a fever or other symptoms, because the infection may spread and cause complications
Careful hygiene is important:
- Clean draining boils often.
- Wash your hands very well after touching a boil.
- Do not re-use or share washcloths or towels. Wash clothing, washcloths, towels, and sheets or other items that contact infected areas in very hot (preferably boiling) water.
- Change dressings often and throw them out with the drainage, such as by placing them in a bag that can be closed tightly before throwing it out.
Antibacterial soaps and antibiotics placed on the skin are of little help once a boil has formed. Antibiotics taken by mouth or given as a shot may help a more severe infection or if the boil returns.
Where to find medical care for Boil?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Boil
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Some people have repeated abscesses and are unable to prevent them.
Boils can be very painful if they occur in areas like the ear canal or nose. A health care provider should treat boils of the nose.
Boils that form close together may expand and join, causing a condition called carbunculosis.
Possible complications
- Abscess of the skin, spinal cord, brain, kidneys, or other organ
- Brain infection
- Endocarditis
- Osteomyelitis
- Permanent scarring
- Sepsis
- Spinal cord infection
- Spread of infection to other parts of the body or skin surfaces
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if boils:
- Appear on the face or spine
- Do not heal with home treatment within 1 week
- Occur along with a fever, red streaks coming out from the sore, large fluid collections around the boil, or other symptoms
Prevention
The following may help prevent the spread of infection:
- Antibacterial soaps
- Antiseptic (germ-killing) washes
- Good hygiene (such as thorough handwashing)
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001474.htm