BOIL (Furuncle) |
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General Information
DEFINITION--A painful, deep, bacterial infection of a hair follicle. The infection--usually from STAPHYLOCOCCUS bacteria--begins in the hair follicle and penetrates the skin's deeper layers. Boils are common and contagious.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A domed nodule that is painful, tender, red and has pus at the surface. Boils appear suddenly and ripen in 24 hours. They are usually 1-1/2cm to 3cm in diameter; some are larger.
Fever.
Swelling of the closest lymph glands.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORSBoils are easily transmitted under crowded, unsanitary conditions. Athletic teams who work out with each other daily may have an outbreak of boils among members. Health clubs that do not keep showers clean or put adequate amounts of chemicals in pools or whirlpool hot tubs are particularly likely to harbor germs that cause boils. The following factors make a person more susceptible to boils:
Poor nutrition.
Illness that has lowered resistance.
Diabetes mellitus.
Use of immunosuppressive drugs.
HOW TO PREVENTKeep the skin clean. Use only locker rooms, showers, tubs and steam rooms that are maintained according to hygienic regulations.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory culture of the pus to identify the germ.
SURGERYIncision and drainage of the boil (sometimes).
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESSWithout treatment, a boil will heal in 10 to 20 days. With treatment, the boil should heal in less time, symptoms will be less severe, and new boils should not appear. The pus that drains when a boil opens spontaneously may contaminate nearby skin, causing new boils.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSThe infection may enter the bloodstream and spread to other body parts.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTIncision and drainage of the boil by a doctor may be necessary.
HOME TREATMENT
Relieve pain with gentle heat from warm- water compresses, a heating pad, hot-water bottle or heat lamp. Use heat 3 or 4 times daily for 20 minutes.
Prevent the spread of boils by using clean towels only once or using paper towels and discarding them.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe a penicillin drug, such as oxacillin, dicloxacillin or nafcillin, or erythromycin antibiotics to fight infection.
Don't use non-prescription antibiotic creams or ointments on the boil's surface. They are ineffective.
ACTIVITYDecrease activity until the boil heals. Avoid sweating which may aggravate the infection.
DIETNo special diet.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have a boil.
The following occurs during treatment:
Symptoms don't improve in 3 to 4 days, despite treatment.
New boils appear.
Fever rises above 100F (37.8C).
Other family members develop boils.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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