Page 47 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS 45

Boils

A boil begins as a small, red, painful lump under the skin, which swells as pus builds up inside. The area is
usually warm to the touch and throbs. The cause is most commonly an infection in a hair follicle or oil gland
in the skin; the buttocks, thighs, armpits, face, and neck are particularly susceptible. Most boils come to a
head and burst, releasing pus, after which the skin heals. Some boils, however, gradually subside without
bursting. Sometimes, a cluster of connected boils forms; this is known as a carbuncle.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You think you have a carbuncle Analgesics, such as acetaminophen (see p.177),
can relieve the pain of an inflamed or irritating boil.
● You have diabetes

What you can do yourself PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
There are several simple measures that you can
Applying a warm compress
take to reduce discomfort and speed up healing. Use this treatment up to 4 times a day to help bring
● Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen if the the boil to a head and encourage it to burst.
boil is painful (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). ● Soak a clean cloth in a bowl of warm water, then
wring it out and place it over the boil. Soaking the
● Wash the area thoroughly every day. Dry it well.
compress repeatedly to rewarm
● Help bring the boil to a head by applying a warm it, continue to reapply it
compress several times a day (see PRACTICAL for about 30 minutes.
● Cover the boil with
TECHNIQUE, right).
a gauze dressing.
● Don’t squeeze the boil or try to burst it with ● Keep using the
a needle because this may spread the infection; compress for a few days
let it burst or subside by itself. after the boil has burst,
to encourage it to drain.
● If the boil has burst, cover the area with a gauze
dressing. Wash the area thoroughly and change
the dressing regularly until the skin has healed. Applying heat
Heat a cloth in
● Keep your own towels and washcloths separate
warm water and
to avoid spreading the infection to other people. hold it over the
boil until it cools.
● Bedding or clothing that comes into contact
with the boil should be washed in very hot,
preferably boiling, water.
● Wash your hands thoroughly before handling
Seek further medical advice
food, and make sure the boil is covered with an
adhesive bandage or other dressing. The bacteria Arrange to see your doctor if:
that cause boils can also cause food poisoning.
● The boil has not begun to disappear after
● Avoid contact sports until the boil has gone. a week of using self-help measures
● It becomes very painful and/or enlarges
● You are getting recurrent boils
● You develop a fever and feel generally ill