Boils

What is a Boil ?

       A boil is a bacterial infection that begins deep in a hair follicle or a sebaceous gland, one of the skin's oil-producing glands, and gradually works its way up to the surface of the skin. Staphylococcus aureus is the bacteria most frequently responsible for boils.

Signs & Symptoms

       Boils most often appear on the neck, face, underarms, or buttocks. If you notice a red, elevated, and painful bump, watch the area closely. Should a boil be developing a pustule will form in the center of the affected area with in two to four days.

It is possible. Although unusual, for a boils to spread beyond the affected area and cause a more serious systemic infection. For example, nearby lymph glands may become swollen. A boil may also be a sign of an underlying infection in the body that is manifesting itself through the skin. In either case, you need medical attention.

To determine when to call the doctor, pay attention to your body. Do you feel fine otherwise, or do you have other symptoms of illness? If you are overtired, running a fever, not eating well, or just not "up to par", you should see a physician.

General recommendations for boils

• Do not squeeze or puncture a boil. Opening it prematurely can worsen and spread the infection.
• Avoid using tape or an adhesive bandage to cover a boil. Covering a boil may increase irritation and van lead to scarring.

Preventive measures of boils

• Keep your skin clean and dry. Good hygiene is helpful. However, even someone who practices meticulous skin care can still develop a boil, especially in hot and humid environments.
• Propolis is a natural antibiotic made by bees. Three days each week, take 500 milligrams three times daily to prevent the recurrence of boils.
• If you are prone to recurrent boils, try the following three-week cycle:

Repeat this cycle three times, for a total of nine weeks. 
Note: Some people experience stomach upset as a result of taking nettle. If this happens, stop taking it.

Treatment for Boils

       Once the boil has localized close to the skin surface, your doctor will probably recommended that it be opened and the contents expressed a procedure known as incision & drainage , or I and D. This is a procedure that should be done by a medical professional . If the doctor incises the boil, or if it ruptures by itself, it will drain thick pus. A topical antibiotic, such as Betadine or bacitracin, may be prescribed to help clear the infection.

Your doctor will probably prescribe an oral antibiotic and do a culture of the contents of the boil. When the results of the culture reveal the particular organism responsible for the infection, your antibiotic prescription may be changed accordingly.

If the situation recurs, and the culture determines it to be a staphylococcal infection, close contacts of yours may also need to be treated so that you do not pass the infection back and forth.