Boils, Carbuncles and Pustules

Definition

Boil is also known as carbuncles or furuncle. It is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles, thus resulting in the localized accumulation of pus and dead tissues. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils. Boils can occur anywhere on your skin, but appear mainly on your face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs. These are hair-bearing areas where you're most likely to sweat or experience friction. Although anyone can develop boils and carbuncles, people who have diabetes, a suppressed immune system, or acne or other skin problems are at increased risk. If there are multiple heads, the lesion is called a carbuncle. Large boils form abscesses, defined as an accumulation of pus within a cavity. Cellulitis may also occur, i.e. infection of the surrounding tissues, and this may cause fever and illness.

Causes

1. Diabetes: It may be one of the causes of boils. In diabetes the body does not able to control the insulin level. Due to which the body feels imbalance and due to this imbalance the boils can occur.
2. Some boils can be caused by an ingrown hair. Others can form as the result of a splinter or other foreign material that has become lodged in the skin.
3. You are more likely to get boils if you have a skin condition that makes you scratch and damage the skin, you are obese, or you are a carrier of Staphylococcus bacteria.
4. One of the major factors that can be held responsible for the development of boils is staphylococcus germs that make their entry into the body through sweat glands.
5. When the blood becomes toxic owing to faulty living style and dietic errors, it tends to give rise to boils.

Symptoms

1. There may be red bumps on skin surrounded by red coloration
2. Boils may have pus in the center of the boil.
3. Sometimes there may be whitish bloody discharge from the boil.
4. There are a lot of chances that you will get a fever after getting affected by boils.
5. The situation of fatigue may occur.
6. The angry, red swelling and pain are the result of an infection, usually an infection involving Staphylococcus cuteus bacteria.

Treatment

1. 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.
2. Do not pop the boil with a needle. This usually results in making the infection worse.
3. The larger boil will need to be drained or "lanced" by a healthcare practitioner.
4. If the pain is too much then some antibiotics may help. But should be taken from the prescription of a regular practitioner.
5. Garlic and onions have proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on boils to help ripen them, break them, and evacuate the pus.