Facts on What Causes Boils

1. Pus-Filled Tender Lumps

As yucky as that sounds, that's the easiest definition of a boil. It's a localized infection caused when bacteria get under the skin. The skin becomes red and tender, which signals the specialized white cells (neutrophils) to come and fight off the infection. As the white cells do their work, a collection of proteins, bacteria and old white blood cells starts to collect in the form of pus. This oozing collection continues to grow, increasing in size (to sometimes as big as a golf ball!) until it ruptures and drains on its own or is surgically opened. A boil is sometimes called an abscess.

2. Remove That Wood Splinter!

Boils can sometimes be caused when a wood splinter or other foreign material becomes trapped in the skin. As the body fights the invading material and the staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that entered through the break in the skin, it creates a boil. Boils can also be caused by ingrown hairs. They also sometimes appear with acne when sweat glands become plugged. This type of boil is called cystic acne and can leave scarring, because it affects deeper skin tissue than common acne.

3. Bum Boils

Also called a pilonidal cyst, this boil grows in the crease of the buttocks. It happens when the hair follicles become irritated from direct pressure and an infection begins at the base of the hair follicle. These types of boils usually appear after long trips with prolonged sitting. Once you get this boil, expect to do a lot of standing until it drains. Sitting will be much too uncomfortable.

4. Armpit Sweat Can Cause Boils

If you have particularly sweaty armpits, there is the possibility that you could get multiple boils on your armpits. This is called hidradenitis suppurativa. It happens when the sweat glands become plugged and inflamed. This skin infection usually requires surgery to remove the infected sweat glands. Hidradenitis suppurativa can also affect the groin area.

5. Boil Prevention and Care

It's not always possible to prevent boils from forming, but there are a couple of things you can do to reduce the chance. Keep even the smallest cuts clean with soap and water and over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Avoid tight clothing that chafes your skin. Most boils will heal by themselves if properly taken care of. This means you should wash the boil two or three times a day. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before washing it. You can help the boil rupture and drain faster by applying a warm washcloth soaked in salt water to the boil for 10 minutes every few hours.