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Know the Cause of Skin Boils and How to Treat Them

Edited by Debbie, Charmed, Rose B, Lynn and 9 others

11 Parts: Different Kinds of Boils How to Treat Boils on Face and Boils on Neck Treatment of Boils How To Treat Boils On Thighs And Buttocks How to Treat Boils in Groin Area Boil Popping Home Remedies How to Prevent Skin Boils

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What is that bump on your skin getting bigger and redder? It started out soft and started to harden? Now you notice a few days later that it has broke open and a yellow thick fluid is oozing out of it, or perhaps it hasn't broken at all, but it's causing a lot of pain. You have a boil. When bacteria get into the hair follicles below the skin's surface, or you have an ingrown hair, it can cause an infection, and it turns into a boil. This can also happen when there is a blocked gland or duct. Sometimes boils are the result of a weak immune system, or health conditions such as diabetes, an unhealthy diet or poor hygiene. They can be found on any area of the body. The more common areas are the neck, face, thighs, and buttocks. They can be painful when the pus-like fluid builds up inside.

Contents

1 Different Kinds of Boils
2 How to Treat Boils on Face and Boils on Neck
3 Treatment of Boils
4 How To Treat Boils On Thighs And Buttocks
5 How to Treat Boils in Groin Area
6 Boil Popping
7 Home Remedies
8 How to Prevent Skin Boils
9 Tips and Suggestions
10 Questions and Answers
11 Comments

Different Kinds of Boils

1
Cystic Acne
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This happens when there is too much oil produced in the skin, which can cause dirt and germs to block hair follicles.

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2
Pilonidal Cysts
.
These are called rectal boils. These occur between the buttocks and can make sitting very painful.

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3
Furuncles
.
This happens when germs called Staphylococcus Aureus that contaminates a hair follicle.
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4
Carbuncles
.
These are a mass of furuncles. They can be found on the hips, shoulders and thigh areas.

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5
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
.
This is caused when the sweat glands become infected and inflamed. This happens around the groin area and under the arms.
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To prevent family members from getting infected, make sure you do not share any soap, towels, washcloths, clothes, or pillowcases. When your boil is draining changing your pillowcases and sheets nightly, and make sure you use a different towel daily. Consider washing your face with an antimicrobial wash like Hibiclens or an antibacterial cleanser in the area where you have the boil. This will help prevent the infection from spreading, and if used once a week, could help prevent future boils.

How to Treat Boils on Face and Boils on Neck

1
Do not squeeze the boils on your face or neck
.
If you squeeze the boils, it will make the infection worse. The pus will go deeper into the skin and might cause more boils to pop up on your face or neck. Scarring is another issue when you squeeze your boils. So to avoid another skin problem caused by boils, stop yourself from picking at it.

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2
Buy Epsom salts
.
Boil some water, and then use a clean water basin to mix the Epsom salts and warm water. Get a clean cloth and use it to make a warm compress to put on the boil for about two minutes. Do not push hard on the boil because it's like your forcing your skin to pop-out the pus. Repeat this procedure about three times a day. It might take a few days or even a week to see the head of the boil. Be sure to cover your boil with gauze or a bandage strip to keep it clean and away from dirt. If you cover it with gauze, be sure to secure it with tape. This may be a long procedure, but it is one of the best ways to treat boils and prevent more boils from coming out.
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3
Once you see the head of the boil, the pus is ready to come out
.
Leave the boil to burst on its own, and never force it to come out. At this stage, it is more likely to become infected, so be sure to continue the warm compress treatment with Epsom salts until the pus from the boil is completely drained. Never forget to cover it to avoid any infection.
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Treatment of Boils

1
Visit your family doctor
.
Have him give you a physical exam, and he will give you the proper diagnosis and care.

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Apply a warm compress

Applying a compress on the boil area will help drain out the pus-like fluid. You will need to do this several times daily. Be sure to use a clean cloth each time, to prevent the spread of germs. Wash the area until you no longer see any fluid or pus. Use antibacterial soap and rinse well.

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Apply an antibacterial ointment

And cover the area with a bandage. Make sure you wash the affected area at least three times a day, and apply a clean bandage each time.

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How To Treat Boils On Thighs And Buttocks

Boils on thighs and buttocks can be caused by Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacterial infections are contagious so extreme care is needed so it will not spread to other parts of the body.

1
When you suspect that you have boils on your thighs or buttocks, the best thing to do is to see your doctor so it can be treated early and will not affect other parts of your body.
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2
Take the medications prescribed by your doctor
.
Follow the prescription religiously. Medication may consist of antibiotics and some pain relievers.
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3
Apply warm compresses on the infected area by using clean towels and clean warm water
.
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4
Use antibacterial soap and clean water to wash the infected area about three times daily.

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5
Use a sterile bandage after applying antibacterial or antibiotic ointment on the area.
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6
Avoid wearing tight clothes that may rub against the boil.

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7
Change the bandage as needed, especially when the pus and blood discharges.
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8
Do not try to pop it as this may cause the spread of the bacteria to other parts of the body.

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9
Wash your hands properly after touching your boils
.
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10
Use alcohol or hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands.
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11
Dispose of the bandage and other materials used to clean the affected area carefully
.
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12
Wash the towels used as warm compresses.
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13
Keep your boils protected from flies because flies are attracted to open wounds
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Use bandages.
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14
Sanitize your home so that other members of the family will not be infected.
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How to Treat Boils in Groin Area

Boils in the groin area can be called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. The causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa can be attributed to excessive sweating, hormonal imbalance, obesity, shaving, bacterial infection and high temperature and humidity. It cannot be attributed to poor hygiene so do not be ashamed to see your doctor. Usually, when you have boils in your groin area, it is progressive and if it remains untreated, it can be much more difficult to treat once it is already severe and you may need surgery.

1
See your doctor and take the medications as prescribed.
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2
Avoid wearing tight underwear and clothes in order to prevent friction on the infected area.
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3
Apply warm compresses about three times a day and wash the infected area with antibacterial soap and clean water.
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4
Apply antibiotics or antibacterial ointment after cleaning the area and making sure it's dry.

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5
Use a bandage to keep the boils from being irritated.
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6
Change the bandage as often as possible, especially when the pus is draining.

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7
Do not pop or squeeze the boils, as this may cause the spread of the infection to other parts of your groin area.
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8
Wash your hands and disinfect before and after handling Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

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Boil Popping

Popping a boil does not help in the healing or treatment. Pus normally drains by itself after two weeks. Popping it can make it more severe and may further infect it. The infection can also be spread over to other areas when not handled properly.

In the Philippines, boil popping is usually done when the boil is already ripe. The elders make use of a soft drink bottle and place the mouth of the bottle at the pustule or head of the boil. Once aimed, the bottom of the bottle is then banged or slapped. The boil will pop up and the pus released. This procedure is not advisable because it is not hygienic. The boil may be inflamed and the healing process might be lengthened. The best procedure when the boil is about to erupt is to go to your doctor, and he may perform lancing, which is a minor surgery where he will create a small opening in the boil, so that the pus will drain.

Home Remedies

1
Garlic
.
Is known to work as a natural antibiotic. You can take this in a pill form too.
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2
Tea Tree Oil
.
Works as an antiseptic and is very effective in healing skin boils. Mix a couple of drops of it with a tablespoon of olive oil and smooth over infected areas.
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3
Epsom Salt
.
Can be mixed with some warm water and applied to the boil three times daily for 10 minutes each time.
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4
Turmeric
.
Can be made into a paste and applied to the infected area. You can also drink water with turmeric to prevent the recurrence of boils.

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5
Onion
.
Can serve as antiseptic on the infected area. It hastens the healing of the boils.
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6
Honey and Garlic are not just for ribs
.
Making a paste of fresh garlic and organic honey and apply like a poultice.

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How to Prevent Skin Boils

1
Eat a healthy, nutritional diet of fruits and vegetables.
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2
Limit your alcohol consumption.
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3
Keep your skin clean and dry.
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4
Echinacea is an herb that is used for bacterial infections
.
You can use it in a pill, or powder form, but using the tincture is the best. It works as a preventative more than a cure. Check with your doctor first.

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5
Go to your physician if you experience a fever or chills, while you have a boil.
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6
NEVER squeeze or pop a boil
.
As this will cause the spread of germs to other areas, and create more problems.

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7
Take ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain.
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8
Wash all bedding, clothes and towels regularly to keep them free of germs.

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Tips and Suggestions

If your skin erupts around the bandage (elastoplast is one culprit), you might be allergic to the adhesive they use, and this will just exasperate the situation. Gauze might be best for you.

Questions and Answers

What is the best antibacterial wash for groin area?

The rise of medical technology has provided families with a wide range of options to safeguard health and reduce illnesses. The introduction of antibacterial wash is an innovation that was quickly embraced by antibacterial solutions, which come in gel, wash, or soap form, and are used daily for hygienic purposes. They are generally safe for the entire family. If, however, there are family members who have sensitive or easily irritated skin, then you can opt for organic or fragrance-free types of antibacterial washes.

The use of antibacterial wash was originally meant for people with weakened or compromised immune systems, as well as for workers healthcare sector - doctors, nurses, or caregivers. These professionals should provide sterile and safe conditions for the patients and make sure that they also reduce the risk of infections from exposure to health hazards. Antibacterial soaps were also designed with workers in the food and beverage industry in mind, to ensure that food handling and safety guidelines are met at all times. This helps to prevent food poisoning and contaminated food. In this light, an antibacterial wash is not advisable for daily use by healthy individuals because it can eradicate both the good and bad bacteria on the skin. The good bacteria forms a protective layer on the skin and inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recent warnings and precautions against using antibacterial solutions because it can do more harm than good for the skin when you use it everyday. In fact, FDA further stresses that daily hygiene with the use of a regular soap is recommended and ideal to achieve ideal health conditions.

The groin area, just like other sensitive body parts, like the armpits, face, and neck, are most prone to rashes, boils, inflammation, and infection. The use of safe and hypoallergenic antibacterial agents such as Dial antibacterial wash, which is considered as the best and most effective brand on the market today, is recommended. It is enriched with alpha hydroxy acid and triclosan to protect, nourish, and moisturize the body. There are also washes enriched with pure essential oils and herbal extracts such as lavender, jasmine, and bamboo leaf for added glow and rejuvenation.

To ensure safety and avoid any allergies or complications with your skin predicament, seek medical advice from an expert physician who can recommend a treatment that will work best for your skin type and condition.

Any type of Anti-bacterial soap will work in the groin area. There is not a specific anti-bacterial soap superior to another, for they all have the ingredients needed disinfect. AHA is contained in all anti-bacterial soaps, which is the active ingredient.

Treat a boil with duct tape and salt and glycol?

The duct tape will be unnecessary when it comes to treating a boil, you can simply apply a hot compress is soaked in water and Epsom salts. This will help treat the boil and speed up the heeling process.