Doctor's Notes on Boils
A boil is a skin abscess, which is a collection of pus within the skin. Furuncles, carbuncles, cystic acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and pilonidal cyst are all among the different types of boils. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of boils. Boils can occur anywhere on the body, including the trunk, armpit, extremities, groin, buttocks, or other areas.
A boil begins as a reddened, tender bump or lump. The lump becomes harder with time and increasingly tender. Eventually, the center of the boil softens and becomes filled with pus. The boil may spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin, leading to symptoms such as draining or oozing pus. If the infection spreads beyond the site of the boil, associated symptoms can include redness, swelling, and warmth over the affected area of skin or soft tissue.
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Antibiotics (Side Effects, List, Types)
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting. -
Are Boils Contagious?
Active boils are contagious because the Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria that cause them is contagious. The infection that causes boils can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or sharing objects. -
Boil vs. Pimple
Boils and pimples are both skin infections. Staph infections may cause boils, while pimples are caused by blocked oil glands. Signs and symptoms of boils include fever, pus drainage, and skin redness. Signs and symptoms of pimples include black spots on the skin, white pustules, and larger hard, red nodules under the skin. Treatment of boils involves applying warm compresses or surgical drainage by a doctor. Pimple treatment incorporates over-the-counter application of products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. -
Skin Abscess
An abscess is has several causes and can appear on many parts of the body, such as the dental, vaginal, and rectal areas. In general, home remedies or cures are not recommended as a treatment method for abscesses (or boils) because they can cause further injury. -
Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Infection)
Staphylococcus is a type of bacteria that causes infection (often called a "staph infection"). Staphylococcus can cause infections in almost any organ system in the body. Symptoms of visible staph infections are a redness, swelling, tenderness, pus or crusty covering at the site of infection. Bacterial culture is used to test for staph infection. Treatment may involve surgery and/or antibiotics. -
Sty (Stye)
A stye (sty) is an infection of the eyelid, resulting from a blocked oil gland. Seborrhea, improper eye makeup removal, use of infected cosmetics, poor eyelid hygiene, stress, hormonal changes, and Blepharitis, rosacea, and meibomitis may cause styes. Symptoms include a lump on the eyelid, swelling, pain, redness, tenderness, blurred vision, pus, and a scratchy sensation on the eyeball. Treatment may involve warm compresses, scrubbing the eyelid with a mild soap, and discontinuing wearing contact lenses and eye makeup.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.