Boil Definition Cause Symptoms Types Treatment Complication And Prevention

Definition:

Boil is a skin abscess that forms at a hair follicle infected with pus-forming bacteria. Boils are sometimes called furuncles. A carbuncle is formed when several furuncles merge to form a single deep abscess with several heads or drainage points. This is an abscess in the skin usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Cause Of Boil:

• Ingrown hair 
• Any break in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, can develop into an abscess should it become infected with bacteria. 
• Diabetes
• Problems with the immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin

Symptoms of Boils:

• The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful, warm, and swollen.
• More boils may appear around the original one.
• A fever may develop.
• Lymph nodes may become swollen.
• Fatigue
• Fluid leakage from the boil, which may crust over
• Itching feeling
• White or yellow centers in the boil
• Allergies or immune system disorders, including HIV infection 
• Alcoholism or drug abuse

Types Of Boil:

• Furuncle or carbuncle
• Cystic acne
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Pilonidal cyst
• Bartholin's gland

Treatment:

• Apply warm compresses and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within 10 days of its appearance.A warm compress can make  by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture.
• When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap or solution until all the pus is gone. Apply a medicated ointment and a bandage. Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals.
• Do not pop the boil with a needle. This could make the infection worse.
• In serious cases of infection, antibiotics may be used. However, the majority of boils heal on their own without medical treatment.

Complication Of Boil:

• Abscess formation
• Encephalitis
• Endocarditis 
• Meningitis 
• Osteomyelitis
• Permanent scarring
• Sepsis
• Spread of infection

PreventionOf Boil:

Prevention is better than cure.

• Keep the body clean. Wash very well with antiseptic soap so that skin surface remains germ free. It is always recommended to go for a shower rather than a tub bath. In shower get running water, which is not the case for as bath taken in a tub.
•  To use own belongings like towels, cosmetics and such. Sharing of such products with somebody else may result the incidence of the infection. So, as a precautionary step should use own equipments and never should use others as will get infected with the germ in case the other person is affected with boils.
• Another very important method for prevention of boils is to maintain a proper diet. It would be always beneficial for take up food products that are of less oil and non greasy. Fatty foods like junk foods should always be avoided and proper nutritious food like leafy green vegetables, fresh fruit juices and whole some cereals should be included in balanced diet schedule.
• The boils are very contagious. so while treating them  must always touch them with washed hands. Some people have the tendency of sneezing the boils nodules. This act would rather aggravate the infection and cause tremendous pain. Usage of unclean hands to deal with the boils is strictly to be avoided, especially for a boil developed on the skin surface of face.
• While selecting the agents for washing and cleaning purposes to use antiseptic soaps rather than using beauty soaps,can also use a good shower gel as this would help to keep the skin clean, fresh as well as germ free and ultimately would promote boils prevention.