Skin Boils

A skin boil, also called a skin abscess, is a kind of an infection that is localized on any part of the skin. It usually begins with the area becoming red and tender. After a while, it becomes hard and firm. In due course, the center of the boil softens, becoming filled with white blood cells that are sent to the location from the blood stream to fight the infection. Thus, the white blood cells that collect there, along with proteins and bacteria is the yellowish white fluid called pus, which finally forms a head and either ruptures spontaneously or can be opened surgically.

Skin boils can occur on any part of the body, although the hairy areas seem to be more susceptible to them, with the hair follicle being the region where the infection begins.

What are the Causes of Skin Boils?

Skin boils are usually caused by a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus, or staph for short. This bacterium usually occurs on the normal skin’s surface, without causing any problems. However, a small cut or scratch can allow it to get in, and multiply more rapidly than usual, resulting in the infection, and the body’s response to fighting it.

What are the Various Types of Skin Boils?

Carbuncle or Furuncle: Carbuncles are characterized by being clusters of boils, whereas a single boil is referred to as a furuncle. This is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Furuncles can have either a single opening or a number of them, and can be accompanied by chills or fever.

Pilonidal cyst: This is a distinctive type of skin boil which occurs in the crease between the buttocks. These usually start as tiny cysts at the base of the region where the hair grows. When direct pressure is applied these are irritated even further, and then, with time the infected area becomes larger, turning into a tender, firm, and painful nodule, which makes it very difficult to sit comfortably. This type of skin boil usually forms after sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Cystic acne: This is a kind of skin boil that forms when there is clogging of the oil ducts, which then get infected. Compared to the common acne, which causes superficial inflammation of the skin, deeper tissues of the skin are affected by cystic acne. Cystic acne usually occurs on the face, especially in teenagers.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: This condition is characterized by several abscesses occurring in the armpits and the groin region. It is caused by the sweat glands becoming inflamed. This type of skin boil is hard to treat just by antibiotics and usually necessitates the surgical removal of the affected sweat glands so as to halt the inflammation of the skin.

Who are the People Susceptible to Skin Boils?

Poor health in general as well as poor hygiene makes one more susceptible to skin boils. Other people who are susceptible to it are those affected with diabetes, which generally impedes the ability of the body to fight infection, and any other condition that suppresses the immune system. People who are affected with skin problems like eczema or acne also have higher chances of getting skin boils, since the bacteria can get in through the lesions formed by these conditions.

However, skin boils can also occur in people who are very healthy. They are caused sometimes by staph strains that the body has difficulty in fighting.

How can Skin Boils be Treated?

Treating Skin Boils at Home: It is advisable never to cut open, or lance, a boil by yourself. The affected area should be kept clean, but should not be picked or scrubbed, because this can worsen the infection. A warm compress is the best treatment to be applied at home, because this can help in rupturing the boil more quickly. A warm compress can be made by soaking a piece of cloth in warm water and placing it on the boil. The compress should be used for half an hour at a time, and repeated every few hours.

Seeking Medical Help: Medical help should be sought if the boil does not heal, and continues to grow and fails to rupture in a few days. The doctor may use a sterile scalpel to lance the boil, and express the pus by pressing gently on the affected area. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to heal the infection.