{"id":1553,"date":"2020-05-19T10:25:45","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T10:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.kayawell.com\/?p=1553"},"modified":"2020-05-20T10:53:29","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T10:53:29","slug":"boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention","title":{"rendered":"Boil- Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A boil is a\npainful, pus-filled lump that forms under your skin when bacteria invade one or\nmore of your hair follicles and inflame them. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils\nthat form a related infection area underneath the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boils\n(furuncles) usually begin as red, tender bumps. The bumps fill up with pus\neasily, becoming bigger and more painful until they burst and drain. The most\nlikely places to be affected are the nose, neck back, armpits, thighs and\nbuttocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\r\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\r\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\r\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention\/#Symptoms_of_Boils\" title=\"Symptoms of Boils\">Symptoms of Boils<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention\/#Causes_of_Boils\" title=\"Causes of Boils\">Causes of Boils<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention\/#Risk_Factors\" title=\"Risk Factors\">Risk Factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention\/#Complications\" title=\"Complications\">Complications<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/boil-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention\/#Prevention\" title=\"Prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms_of_Boils\"><\/span>Symptoms of Boils<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A boil\nusually starts out about half an inch in size as a hard, red, painful lump. The\nlump grows larger, softer and more painful over the next few days. Quickly a\npocket of pus makes on up of boil. These are the symptoms of a severe\ninfection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful,\nwarm, and swollen.<\/li><li>More boils can appear around the original one.<\/li><li>A fever may develop.<\/li><li>Lymph nodes may become swollen.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When to see a doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When after a\nfew days a boil on the buttocks doesn&#8217;t improve with warm compresses, visiting\na doctor may be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the\nboil becomes more swollen or painful, if the redness spreads or if a fever\noccurs, a person should see their doctor earlier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boils can in\nsome cases lead to a deeper infection known as an abscess. This will also need\nto be drained and may require other treatments done by a specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For\nindividuals with immune system problems, these infections can be particularly\nserious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causes_of_Boils\"><\/span>Causes of Boils<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A germ\n(staphylococcal bacteria) is responsible for the most boils. This germ enters\nthe body through tiny nicks or cuttings in the skin or can travel to the\nfollicle down the hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such health\nconditions increase people&#8217;s vulnerability to skin infections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Diabetes<\/li><li>Problems with the immune system<\/li><li>Poor nutrition<\/li><li>Poor hygiene<\/li><li>Exposure to harsh chemical substances which irritate the skin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Risk_Factors\"><\/span>Risk Factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although\neveryone may grow boils or carbuncles \u00e2\u20ac\u201d even otherwise healthy people \u00e2\u20ac\u201d can\nincrease the risk by the following factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Close contact with staph infected human:<\/strong>&nbsp; If you stay with someone who has a boil or a\ncarbuncle, you&#8217;re more likely to develop an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diabetes: <\/strong>The disease will make it harder for your body to combat infection\nlike your skin&#8217;s bacterial infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other Skin Conditions:<\/strong> Because they weaken the protective layer in\nyour skin, skin problems like acne and eczema make you more susceptible to\nboils and carbuncles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Compromised Immunity:<\/strong> When, for whatever cause, the immune system\ngets compromised, you are more vulnerable to boils and carbuncles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Complications\"><\/span>Complications<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rarely,\nbacteria will enter your bloodstream from a boil or carbuncle, and migrate to\nother parts of your body. The spreading infection, generally referred to as\nblood poisoning (sepsis), may lead to deep body infections, such as the heart\n(endocarditis) and bone (osteomyelitis).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although\nmost boils do not cause any problems, but not always the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scarring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a\nlarger boil or carbuncle, scarring may often occur. Such scars never completely\ndisappear but they fade over time and become less visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are\nespecially worried about wounds, there are many treatment options, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Plastic surgery<\/li><li>Injections of corticosteroids which can help to flatten a raised\nscar <\/li><li>Pressure pads that can help to flatten and soften a scar<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s\ndoubtful, though, that your local clinical commissioning group (CCG) will fund\nsuch services unless your injuries can be proven to cause you significant\npsychological distress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make-up is a\nsimpler alternative to conceal any scars you have. Camouflage make-up is\navailable at counter at pharmacies especially designed to cover scars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spread of infection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes\nthe bacteria inside a boil or carbuncle may spread to other parts of the body\nand cause a secondary infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nsecondary infection associated with boils and carbuncles is cellulitis. The\ndeeper layers of the skin are infected with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Less common\nsecondary infections involving boils and carbuncles are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Impetigo \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a highly contagious skin infection that causes sores\nand blisters<\/li><li>Septic arthritis \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an infection of a joint<\/li><li>Osteomyelitis-an infection inside the bone <\/li><li>Endocarditis-an infection of the heart&#8217;s inner layer<\/li><li>Septicaemia \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an infection of the blood<\/li><li>Brain abscess \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a set of pus formed inside the brain<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of\nthese less common secondary infections must be treated with antibiotic\ninjections. Admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) may be needed in case of\nsepticaemia and brain abscess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention\"><\/span>Prevention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Boils can&#8217;t\nalways be stopped, particularly if you have a weak immune system. But the\nfollowing measures may help you avoid staph infections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wash your hands regularly with mild soap:<\/strong> Or use an\nalcohol-based hand rub often. Careful hand-washing is your best defense against\ngerms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep wounds covered:<\/strong> Clean and cover the cuts and abrasions with\nclean, dry bandages until they heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Avoid sharing personal items:<\/strong> Do not share towels, sheets,\nrazors, shoes, sports equipment and other personal belongings. Staph infections\ncan spread through items, and from one person to another. Wash your towels and\nlinens using detergent and hot water with added bleach, if you have a cut or\nsore, and dry them in a hot dryer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview A boil is a painful, pus-filled lump that forms under your skin when bacteria invade one or more of your hair follicles and inflame them. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a related infection area underneath the skin. Boils (furuncles) usually begin as red, tender bumps. The bumps fill up with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1553"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1553\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}