A boil, according to the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus website, is a localized bacterial infection that originates in a hair follicle, causing an abscess. They are fairly common. Although they can be found in any hair follicle, the most common sites are on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks and thighs. Boils present with a hardened central area in a pus-filled abscess.
Types
The medical term for a boil, which involves the entire hair follicle and much of the surrounding tissue, is furuncle. The Cleveland Clinic notes that a milder form of this type of infection is folliculitis, which is a superficial infection of the hair follicle. Sometimes such an infection will affect many hair follicles close together. This deep mass of furuncles may then be referred to as a carbuncle. When several carbuncles are present, the condition is called carbunculosis, according to MedlinePlus.
Cause
Boils are most commonly caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria but may result from other types of bacteria or sometimes by fungi, according to MedlinePlus. The bacteria may get into the follicle through a cut or scrape and occur more often in those with poor hygiene. The Merck Manual of Medical Information states that a condition called "hot-tub folliculitis" may result from a different bacteria found in poorly chlorinated hot tubs or whirlpools.
Symptoms
Folliculitis, because it is a superficial infection, may be reddened and itchy but is only rarely painful. Furuncles are more inflamed, so they may be more reddened and painful; they are characterized by pus-filled nodules that drain when broken open. Carbuncles also present as reddened areas but are more likely to include drainage. The Cleveland Clinic describes them as "often tender and painful and occasionally accompanied by fever and malaise."
Treatment
For folliculitis, the Cleveland Clinic recommends a topical antibiotic along with regular cleansing of the affected area.
MedlinePlus notes that many furuncles will heal by themselves but only after spontaneously bursting open and draining. The drainage is essential to the healing process, and the website suggests gently soaking the furuncle with a warm, moist compress several times each day to aid in this process. Keep the affected area clean and covered.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a furuncle will need to be treated by a physician if it appears on the face or spine, is very painful or gets worse quickly, hasn't healed after a couple of weeks, keeps recurring or is accompanied by a fever, or has red lines branching out from it.
The doctor will lance the affected area to allow it to drain and then clean and cover the site with a sterile dressing. The physician may also prescribe oral antibiotics to get rid of the bacterial infection, especially if you have recurring boils. Applying tea tree oil may also help speed healing, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
Bacteria can be found everywhere, including on the skin, so it may not be possible to entirely prevent folliculitis, boils or carbuncles. However, good hygiene goes a long way toward preventing the spread of such infections, especially in households where one person already has a boil. According to MedlinePlus, good hygiene includes frequent hand washing with soap and water; washing clothing, towels and linens that have touched an infected boil; and not sharing personal items.
Warnings
The bacteria that cause furuncles and carbuncles can be highly contagious, according to MedlinePlus, so don't squeeze or break these boils open at home. On the other hand, left untreated, such infections could potentially enter the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning, a medical emergency. Also, some strains of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus are now resistant to many different forms of antibiotics, making the infection more contagious and much more difficult to treat.
