Definition
A boil is a swelling with a collection of pus, which occurs as a result of a local infection deep in the skin. It is referred to as an abscess, which is defined as a collection of pus that is enclosed by tissue. It is red, hard and firm, and is very tender. The pus within it contains white blood cells that have come to fight off the infection. Then there are bacteria, dead cells and debris.
Types of boils
Although classic boils are synonymous with staphylococcal infection, there are various types of boils said to exist. A furuncle is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which is a bacterium present on the skin. It can gain access to deeper tissues when there is an abrasion in the skin. The organism infects the hair follicle, resulting in the collection of pus. If the infection involves more than one hair follicle then it is known as a carbuncle. With cystic acne, the abscesses are formed when the ducts that produce oil become clogged. Sweat glands can also become inflamed and abscesses can form in the groin area and under the armpits. This is referred to as Hidradenitis suppurativa.
Symptoms
Boils are generally quite painful and are surrounded by a red area. These are classic signs of inflammation. Many people experience no other discomfort or symptoms aside from those related to the swelling itself, but there are certain cases where other things creep up like fever. This is especially important to note if you are diabetic or if you are taking anything that suppresses your immune system. If you develop boils then you should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment
The treatment for a boil will depend on the type and the cause. You can treat most boils at home with no need to rush to the doctor. The mainstay of non-drug management is heat application. This can be done with hot packs or soak in hot water. Heat will improve the blood flow to the area, and in this way blood cells can be rushed to the area to fight infection.
The next step is drainage. Boils are initially hard and become softer as pus forms. As a result it is futile to try and drain it when it is hard, and it is better to wait until it has formed a head. You may be able to drain it at home using heat application and a clean swab. This is suitable for the smaller boils. For the larger variety it is best to go to a doctor. Larger boils often have more than one pocket of pus so they need to be lanced.
The next part of treatment is antibiotics. It is not first on the list because not all cases will require it. Antibiotics are generally only given when there is a secondary infection. If it is given for the boil itself then it should be done with lancing, as antibiotics alone cannot do enough to resolve the lesion.
