Boils – how to get rid of them 

These sore, pus-filled bumps develop under your skin and are caused by a bacterial infection –  find out how to help treat these painful lumps.

What are the symptoms?

When to get urgent help

What causes them and who’s affected?

Self-care tips

When to see a doctor and getting diagnosed

What are the treatments?

Can you prevent boils? 

A boil is caused by a bacterial infection, which leads to a sore, pus-filled bump developing under your skin. Anyone can get them, but certain things make them more likely to develop. Find out how to treat your boil at home, and when you may need to see a doctor.

A boil is a hard, painful, pus-filled lump that sits under your skin.

Also known as furuncles, a boil develops when a bacterial infection happens in 1 (or several) of your hair follicles. 

Boils are common and can develop once or you may keep getting them.

If you experience a “cluster” of boils forming together in one place at the same time, this is called a carbuncle, but this is less common. 

A boil can go away on its own, or you might need treatment from a pharmacy or from your doctor to help clear it up. 


## What are the symptoms?

Boils can appear anywhere on your skin. However, they’re most commonly seen on the thighs, buttocks, genitals, back, armpits, neck, and face.

If you have a boil, typical symptoms and signs include:
- a painful bump that can be hard or soft 
- itching as the boil first develops
- skin discoloration (red or purple) on and around the affected area
- swollen skin around your boil
- an increase in size as your boil develops
- a yellow-white “head” to your boil
- weeping or oozing of pus if your boil bursts.

You may also experience other symptoms if you have a carbuncle, such as a fever, fatigue, and increased oozing of pus.


Get help with this

## When to get urgent help
Go to an urgent treatment center if you have a boil and:

- it’s on your face or spine
- the skin around your boil is swollen, painful, and hot to touch
- you feel hot and are shivering 
- you have a weak immune system, for example because you’re taking certain medication or you have a condition, such as diabetes.


## What causes them and who’s affected?
Boils are caused by a bacterial infection. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is the most common culprit, but other bacteria can also lead to boils. 

If bacteria gets into your skin – such as through your hair follicle (the skin opening where hair grows), a cut, or an insect bite – it can lead to an infection. The infection causes skin tissue in the boil to die and the area then fills with pus.

Anyone can develop a boil. However, certain things can increase your chances of getting them: 

- being male (carbuncles tend to affect middle-aged males)
- age (teens and young adults are most often affected)
- having a weaker immune system, for example if you have medical condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or allergic asthma, as this can make it harder for your body to fight infection
- having obesity (as bacteria thrive in folds of skin)
- having skin conditions, such as eczema (as this can weaken your skin barrier)
- taking certain medications, such as steroids
- coming into close contact with a person who has a boil (staph bacteria that cause boils are contagious).


## Self-care tips
Many smaller boils can be successfully treated at home, and you may find that yours heals on its own.  

Self-care measures that can help a boil heal are: 
- avoid squeezing or picking your boil, as this can cause the infection to spread 
- hold a warm (not hot) compress – like a clean, wet flannel  – on your boil for 10-20 minutes, around 4 times each day, to help encourage pus drainage. Remember to use a clean cloth each time
- keep the area around your boil clean by gently washing the skin with antibacterial soap
- cover the boil with a clean, sterile dressing if your boil starts to weep pus
- wash your hands well after touching your boil and the surrounding area
- try over-the-counter painkillers to help relieve soreness and discomfort
- clean bedding and towels at least once a week on a hot wash (and don’t share towels with others).


## When to see a doctor and getting diagnosed
__Go back to the section *[When to get urgent help](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/boils#getting-urgent-help)* to check if your symptoms need urgent medical treatment. __

Otherwise, you should see a doctor if you’ve had a boil for 2 weeks and self-care treatments aren’t helping.

Your doctor will usually be able to diagnose a boil by examining the affected area. They might also ask you what symptoms you’re experiencing with it, particularly any that could indicate an infection.

If your boil is already oozing, your doctor may take a swab sample of pus to find out what bacteria is causing the infection. This helps them choose the best treatment option.  


## What are the treatments?
If you have a boil that is large or deep, particularly painful, or keeps coming back, you will probably need medical treatment from your doctor.

The main treatment approach involves draining the pus from your boil. Your doctor will do this by making a small cut into your boil with a scalpel or use a needle and syringe.

In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to help clear up your infection. These can be taken orally, given via an IV drip, or applied to your skin. 

Antibiotics are more likely to be recommended if you have a fever (temperature) along with your boil, if you are in severe pain, or if you have developed a carbuncle.


## Can you prevent boils? 
While it’s not always possible to prevent boils, taking certain steps can make them less likely to appear, including:

- avoiding close contact with someone who has a boil (staph bacteria that cause boils are contagious) 
- maintaining a healthy weight 
- regularly washing your hands with antibacterial soap
- showering or bathing your body with soap daily, and washing your face every day
- cleaning and covering cuts or wounds with a sterile dressing
- regularly exercising and eating a healthy diet to help boost your immunity
- not sharing personal care items with others.


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References

Chantelle Pattemore

Jo Wheatley

Dr Tamer T Malak

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