5 Things You Need to Know About Boils

1. Boils are Really Just Pockets of Pus

Boils look like giant pimples, and they form when a hair follicle becomes infected. The bacteria from the infection festers in the follicle, which swells with pus. Boils can become as large as golf balls before they finally break and drain. The most common sites for boils are sites where hair rubs against the skin, such as on your face, neck, buttocks, armpits and breasts.

2. Never Squeeze a Boil

Don't squeeze a boil, as it may cause the infection to spread. Instead, leave it untouched and let it burst open naturally. This may take several days. To help the boil "mature," soak it in warm water or apply a warm compress for 20 minutes, three to four times a day. Once the boil bursts and begins oozing pus, keep it clean and covered with a bandage until it dries up.

3. Determine When to See a Doctor

While most boils are harmless skin infections that clear up on their own, sometimes it is better to err on the side of caution and see the doctor. If a boil is larger than a ping pong ball, or if it has red streaks emanating from it, visit a doctor or an emergency room. You should also seek medical attention if the boil is near your face, anus or spine. If a boil has stuck around longer than 5 to 7 days with no signs of popping or healing, its time to go the doctor. Finally, if you have any serious health conditions, such as diabetes, call your physician. If a boil is very large, the doctor may lance it. This means cutting a small opening into the boil to drain it so that it can heal quicker.

4. Fight Boils With Your Favorite Sweatpants

The best way to prevent boils is to wash any small scrapes or cuts immediately and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Wearing loose clothing will minimize chaffing and the potential for a hair follicle to become irritated and infected.

5. Boils Can Turn Deadly

Staph infections are one of the leading causes of boils. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a virulent strain of staph that is not treatable with penicillin, and it's easy to spread. If left untreated, the infection that causes boils can enter the bloodstream to cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. See a doctor if you have a boil accompanied by a fever, persistent pain or a rapid heart rate.