Going crazy...
Boils — angry, red, painful "mega zits" typically caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus — are nasty, but incredibly common. That's why it's always a good idea to know how to deal with a boil (also called a furuncle) if you encounter one. One day, the knowledge may come in handy.
One SteadyHealth member was puzzled as she faced a boil that had popped but not completely drained. They already did many things right; they went to the doctor, was prescribed Clindamycin Phosphate to put on the boil, and even used hot compresses. The poster wondered what to do during this "next phase", however, and asked:
"My doctor told me I didn't need a follow up for it, but I'm so worried I can't help it! Should I continue to apply a warm compress twice a day? What should I do??? Would appreciate the advice!"
Boils being such a frequent phenomenon, people quickly joined in, either giving advice or asking questions about their own boils. Let's take a look!
Discussion highlights
Questions
Some of the boil-related questions that (excuse the pun) "popped" up on the thread include:
- If there is any help, please I beg you, how do you treat a boil/pimple after it hasn't completely drained?
- Should I just wait it out and continue to use my prescription?
- What should I do?
- i have a pop boil and it is still hard around the soft middle part is that normal?
- i need you help please my mom says to just to put a warm cloth on it and it speeds the healing process is that true?
Boil symptoms
We got a pretty close look at all the things people experiencing boils — in varied areas of the body — have to go through:
- Just a couple weeks ago I had a bump forming right next to my nostril and directly on my cheek.
- Well, just a while ago as I was searching for some advice, I twitched my nose then all of a sudden I felt a tingle on my face and was in a way relieved to see that the boil had popped!
- I washed my hands, took a q-tip and just dabbed all the puss and blood out.
- Not sure if I'm doing anything incorrectly since I can't seem to get all the puss out of it since the bump is still there.
- I waited it out a bit before washing my face for the rest of the blood to come out since it was still dripping a bit.
Treating boils: Alternative medicine
A lot of alternative remedies for treating boils were discussed:
- I use a drawing salve like Prids and a hot yes hot compress and also lemon juice compress there.
- You will need some kind of drawing salve, I use smileys prid,it stinks its tacky and brown and hard to keep on your skin depending on the area.
- A very clean cloth or cotton ball for a hot water or cold lemon juice compress, be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water or lemon juice.
- Lemon juice is an acid and will literally burn through your skin,given enough time.
- Drink turmeric and apply tumerick mixed with vicks it will go away and will not return
Boil medicine
Many different medications were suggested:
- I've had it for over two weeks and just yesterday I had it checked by my doctor and she prescribed me a topical solution ( smells a lot like alcohol) called Clindamycin Phosphate.
- I gently washed my face with aveeno and waited for it to dry as I later dabbed the solution on the boil which stung like bloody murder >;) !
- Talk to your doctor about kaflex cephelexin is another name for it.
- trust me it is sooo painfull but they sent me home with antibodics and pain pills.
- You must,at that point keep it clean and make sure it fully drains by still using a drawing salve or antibiotic ointment and still again a hot compress to draw blood to the area to heal and draw out the infection.
Suggestions
Other assorted suggestions included everything from a somewhat bizarre advice to "hook a bendy straw" up to the initial poster's face and "suck out" the rest of the stuff, to strong recommendations that the boil-afflicted person go back to her doctor and insist the boil be drained. Boils in the groin area also became a topic of discussion, so some of the posts suggesting hydrogen peroxide pertain to that.
- the only thing is dont stop medication once started.
- keep using until finished or they will come back and will be harder to get rid of.
- hook a bendy straw on you face and suck the rest of it out XD sike just put a warm dry towl on it or a warm damp rag (dry is better to me)
- Hot Compresses 4 times a day for 15 minutes and ensure that you keep the area clean and disinfected.
- When you have a boil if it is being stubborn and not popping after a week see a doctor.
The SteadyHealth team reacts
What are boils?
Boils are infections around a hair follicle, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin can also be the culprits. They can sprout pretty much anywhere on the body, but hairy parts that are exposed to a lot of sweat are most vulnerable — and that, of course, includes the buttocks, thighs, face, and neck.
Boils typically progress in a rather predictable fashion:
- A fairly small, tender, and red spot makes its appearance somewhere on your skin.
- It becomes larger, more raised, and brighter.
- The surrounding skin starts looking a little scary — inflamed, red, and tight.
- Unless you pop the boil or have it drained, a yellow, puss-filled, head will emerge and the boil will pop within a few weeks.
Most boils get better by themselves even if you don't involve a doctor, but not everything that you think is a boil really is one. Conditions that look like boils but aren't include folliculitis (a superficial infection of a hair follicle), cutaneous sporotrichosis (a fungal infection), hidradenitis suppurativa (a serious chronic skin disease that involves a whole lot of nodules that look like boils), and leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection. It is also possible for boils to come in clusters, in which case they are called carbuncles. The possibility that your suspected boil is actually something else means that it is important to keep a good eye on the area and call your doctor if it doesn't resolve itself.
How can I treat boils at home?
- Applying hot compresses a few times a day is one of the best way to speed up the recovery process. This simple remedies increases blood circulation around the boil as well as encouraging antibodies to the site, and will make the boil "pop" faster.
- Keep the boil clean.
- DO NOT POP THE BOIL. This can bring in other bacteria as well as causing the infection to spread to other parts of the body.
- Keep in mind that boils are contagious — wash your hands after touching a popped boil, as well as washing anything else that has come into contact with the boil, including washcloths, clothes, and towels. Oh, and very importantly if you have a partner, bedding! Don't let anyone else touch the stuff that comes out of your boil, and most definitely do not ask anyone to suck it out with a straw as one poster suggested.
- You can use over-the-counter analgesics if you are in pain.
There is no need to take any additional steps because your boil has burst. The end is now in sight, and you'll soon be rid of the boil.
In terms of natural medicine, some people suggest turmeric, tea tree oil, and Acanthus montanus extract, as these remedies have antibacterial properties.
When should I see a doctor about a boil?
It is time to see a doctor if you are in a lot of pain, have a fever, the boil doesn't get better within two weeks, you feel generally unwell, or if it is on an awkward area like the nose, another part of the face, or your spine. In this case, the boil is more likely to lead to complications. You should also get in touch with your doctor if you have a cluster of boils (carbuncle), or if you repeatedly suffer from boils, in which case you may be dealing with a more systemic staph infection for which you require antibiotics such as:
- Flucloxacillin
- Tetracycline
- Macrolide
If your boil isn't getting better by itself, your doctor may suggest draining it. This is done in sterile conditions by trained hands — best not to try this one at home, kids.
Sources: