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A boil, also known as a skin abscess, is a deep skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. A boil starts as a tender reddened 1-inch spot and over time, turns into firm, painful lump. Generally, a week or less, the center of the boil softens and becomes filled with white pus. This pus is actually a collection of bacteria, proteins and white blood cells that the body has sent to fight the infection. This pus can be spontaneously drained from the skin’s surface or surgically opened. Boils most commonly appear on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders and buttocks. A boil that develops on the eyelid is known as a sty. If several boils appear in a grouping, this represents a more serious infection called a Carbuncle.
 

In addition to the common boils described above, there are several different types of unique boils. Among these are:

Furuncle or Carbuncle- an abscess in the skin caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. Unlike a common boil, a furuncle can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be accompanied by a fever or chills. A carbuncle is essentially a cluster or network of boils.

Cystic Acne- a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than common acne, which generally only creates surface inflammation. Cystic acne is most common on the face and typically occurs in the teenage years.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa- characterized by a grouping of abscesses under the armpits or in the groin area. These areas of boils result from local inflammation of the sweat glands and are very difficult to treat. Typically, a surgical procedure is required to remove the sweat glands that are involved in order to stop the skin inflammation. In some cases, isotretinoin (Accutane) is a helpful remedy.

Pilonidal Cyst- a unique kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. Pilonidal cysts often begin as tiny areas of infection in the base of the hair follicles in this area. With continued pressure and irritation, the inflamed area enlarges to become a firm, painful, tender nodule that makes it difficult to sit without discomfort. These most commonly develop after long trips that involve prolonged sitting. Pilonidal cysts can be prevented by avoiding continuous direct pressure or irritation of the buttock area, especially when a local hair follicle becomes inflamed. If you do notice inflammation or a boil starting to form, wash the area regularly with soap and hot water to discourage bacteria growth.

 

Most boils are caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus. This bacteria enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin (such as cuts or scrapes) or by traveling down a hair into to the follicle. Other boils can be caused by an ingrown hair, a splinter or other foreign material that becomes imbedded into the skin. Abscesses can also result from cystic acne if the plugged sweat glands become infected.

Anyone can develop a boil; however, people with certain illnesses or medications that impair the body's immune system are more susceptible. Some conditions associated with an impaired immune system are diabetes, kidney failure and poor nutrition. Medications that can suppress the immune system include cortisone medications (prednisone and prednisolone) and medications used for cancer chemotherapy. Additionally, poor hygiene and exposure to harsh skin-irritating chemicals can increase one’s chances of developing a boil.

Although small boils will often heal themselves within 2 weeks if no other infection or illness is present in the body, many boils require a more proactive approach. Boils are painful, awkward and can easily spread bacteria to the surrounding skin if they are not drained properly. The most important goal in self-treating is to keep the boil clean in order to prevent complications.

When cleaning the affected skin area, always use freshly cleaned towels or a disposable paper towels so that you’re not reusing bacteria-contaminated textiles and thus reinfecting the skin. Also, be sure to wash your hands before and after touching or treating the boil. Try to take hot showers, rather than baths, so that water which has touched the boil is not floating to other areas of the body. Also, the hot steam from the shower will encourage the boil to open and drain on its own. Taking Vitamin C during the healing process will also help boost your immune system and discourage complications.

Home treatment should begin as soon as a boil is discovered, in order to prevent future complications and accidental spreading of bacteria. In addition to applying Terrasil to the infection site, there are several remedies that can make your skin more comfortable and speed healing, especially if you have multiple boils.

The major treatment for boils involves heat application, either with a warm compress or hot pack. Heat application stimulates circulation to the affected area and helps the body bring antibodies and white blood cells to the infection site. Applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water will decrease your skin’s pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once heat has been applied for several days in a row, the boil’s outer skin coating will appear thinner, signifying that the boil is getting ready to drain. If you continue to soak the boil for a day or two after this point, the boil will burst, and then you can then remove excess moisture from the sore with a warm wet washcloth. Another method for draining a pustule is to wash it repeatedly with antibacterial soap until all of the pus is gone. While the open boil is healing, continue to wash the entire area two to three times per day, then apply Terrasil and cover with a bandage. Covering a boil after drainage has occurred is the best way to keep the skin clean while it is closing.

As tempting it may be, do not pop the boil with your nails or a needle. This almost always spreads bacteria to the surrounding skin. This also creates a larger area of open skin that is susceptible to reinfection during the healing process. Allowing a boil to drain naturally through a tiny pore will minimize the amount of skin that is exposed to bacteria. Also, do not attempt to drain a boil while it is small and firm, even if it feels as though the boil will be less painful afterwards. Draining a boil before it becomes soft of “forms a head” of pus will only irritate the area and prolong healing.

 

Although most boils can be treated at home with Terrasil, some conditions are more advanced and should be referred to a medical professional.

 

Sometimes, if the boil is especially large, it will need to be drained or “lanced” by a specialist. These larger boils can contain several pockets of pus that must be opened separately and carefully.

 

We also recommend that you seek professional medical attention if you are in poor health and develop a high fever in coincidence with an unhealed boil. Other signs of a more serious infection include painful swollen skin surrounding the boil, swollen lymph nodes, red streaking from the affected area, the growth of second boil, or a growing boil that will not drain. If you are taking any medications or have a preexisting condition that has lowered your immune system defense and makes infections more problematic, you may also want to receive additional medical advice.

 

The best way to prevent a boil is to keep good personal hygiene and treat all open skin cuts or sores proactively so they do not have a chance to become infected. Using antibacterial soap can prevent bacteria from building up on the skin’s surface and infecting the hair follicles. Also, if your hair follicles are continually inflamed (by tight clothing or another abrasive), it is best to use a loofah brush or other skin exfoliant to help break up oil pugs around the hair follicles. If a member of your household has a boil, carefully wash their clothes, bed linens and towels in a single wash so bacteria doesn’t spread to other textiles around the home.

 

Available in either 14 or 44g jar, starting at just $24