How can benzoyl peroxide help treat boils. What are the most effective home remedies for boils. When should you see a doctor for a boil. How can you prevent boils from recurring.

Understanding Boils: Causes and Symptoms

Boils, also known as furuncles, are painful, pus-filled bumps that develop under the skin. They occur when bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus, invade a hair follicle and cause an infection. The result is a swollen, hard, red bump that can be quite uncomfortable.

Common areas for boils to form include:

• Buttocks
• Inner thighs
• Underarms
• Face and neck (less frequently)

Are certain people more prone to developing boils? Individuals with compromised immune systems, diabetes, or poor hygiene may be at higher risk. Additionally, those who frequently experience skin irritation or friction in certain areas may be more susceptible.

The Role of Benzoyl Peroxide in Treating Boils

Benzoyl peroxide, commonly used as an acne treatment, can also be effective in managing boils. This over-the-counter medication offers several benefits:

• Drying out the lesion
• Reducing the size of the boil
• Killing bacteria due to its antiseptic properties

How should you apply benzoyl peroxide to a boil? Apply a 10% benzoyl peroxide product, such as Oxy 10, directly to the affected area twice daily. This can help speed up the healing process and prevent the spread of infection.

Home Remedies and Self-Care for Boils

While benzoyl peroxide can be effective, there are several other home remedies and self-care techniques that can help manage boils:

1. Warm Compresses

Applying warm, moist heat to the affected area can increase blood flow and help bring the boil to a head. How long should you apply a warm compress? Hold a washcloth soaked in hot water against the boil for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

2. Saline Solution

Once a boil has drained naturally, a saltwater solution can help draw out remaining pus and fluid. To create a saline solution, mix one teaspoon of salt with one cup of hot water. Apply the solution using a clean washcloth.

3. Proper Hygiene

Keeping the affected area clean is crucial for preventing the spread of infection. Wash the area gently with antibacterial soap and water, especially after the boil has started to drain.

4. Antibacterial Ointment

Applying an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment like Bacitracin or Neosporin can help kill bacteria and promote healing.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Boils

While many boils can be treated at home, certain situations require professional medical care. You should consult a doctor if:

• The area around the boil becomes increasingly red or swollen
• The boil is deep and contains a large amount of pus
• You develop multiple boils
• A boil appears on your upper lip, nose, cheeks, scalp, or forehead
• You develop a boil on your breast, especially if you’re breastfeeding
• You experience recurrent boils

Why is it important to seek medical attention in these cases? Some of these situations can indicate a more severe infection or an underlying health condition that requires professional treatment.

Preventing Boils: Strategies for Reducing Recurrence

Prevention is key when it comes to managing boils. Here are some strategies to reduce the likelihood of developing boils:

1. Practice good hygiene by washing regularly with antibacterial soap
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and apply antibacterial ointment
3. Avoid sharing personal items like towels or razors
4. Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to reduce skin friction
5. Manage underlying health conditions that may increase your risk

Can dietary changes help prevent boils? While there’s no direct evidence linking diet to boil prevention, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can support your immune system and overall skin health.

Understanding Recurring Boils: Causes and Solutions

For some individuals, boils can be a recurring problem. This can be frustrating and uncomfortable. What causes recurring boils? Several factors can contribute to this issue:

• Persistent colonization with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria
• Weakened immune system
• Chronic skin conditions
• Poor hygiene practices

How can you address recurring boils? If you frequently experience boils, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. They may recommend:

• Antibiotics to eliminate persistent bacterial colonization
• Evaluation for underlying health conditions
• Improved hygiene practices
• Use of antibacterial soaps or washes

The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Boil Development

Various lifestyle factors can influence your susceptibility to boils. Understanding these factors can help you take proactive steps to prevent boil formation:

1. Personal Hygiene

Maintaining good personal hygiene is crucial in preventing boils. How often should you shower or bathe? Daily cleansing, especially after sweating or engaging in activities that cause skin friction, can help reduce the risk of bacterial buildup.

2. Clothing Choices

Tight or non-breathable clothing can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable fabrics, especially in areas prone to sweating or friction.

3. Stress Management

Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections like boils. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, exercise, or hobbies can be beneficial.

4. Nutrition

While no specific diet prevents boils, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall skin health and immune function. Staying hydrated is also important for maintaining healthy skin.

Advanced Treatment Options for Severe or Recurring Boils

In cases where home remedies and over-the-counter treatments are ineffective, more advanced medical interventions may be necessary. What options are available for severe or recurring boils?

1. Incision and Drainage

For large or deep boils, a healthcare provider may perform an incision and drainage procedure. This involves making a small cut in the boil to allow the pus to drain, providing immediate relief and promoting faster healing.

2. Oral Antibiotics

In cases of severe infection or multiple boils, oral antibiotics may be prescribed. These medications work systemically to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.

3. Culture and Sensitivity Testing

For recurring boils, your doctor may perform a culture to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection. This allows for targeted antibiotic treatment.

4. MRSA Screening

In some cases, particularly with recurrent boils, screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may be recommended. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that’s resistant to certain antibiotics and requires specific treatment approaches.

Can boils be a sign of a more serious condition? While most boils are benign, recurrent boils or those that don’t respond to treatment could indicate an underlying health issue such as diabetes or an immune disorder. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider if you experience frequent or severe boils.

By understanding the causes, treatment options, and prevention strategies for boils, you can better manage this common skin condition. Remember, while home remedies like benzoyl peroxide can be effective, it’s crucial to seek medical attention when necessary to ensure proper treatment and prevent complications.

Boils | Prevention

Description & Prevention

“Boil, boil, soiled and troubled; skin that burns, oh nasty bubble!” This mutation of a classic line from “Macbeth” might make Shakespeare turn over in his grave, but it aptly describes the witch’s brew of pus, infection, pain, and inflammation that make up a boil.

A boil occurs when bacteria — usually Staphylococcus aureus — invade a hair follicle in the skin, travel down the follicle, and form a collection of infected pus at the base. The boil often comes to a head when the fluid naturally pushes its way to the skin surface. The result is a swollen, hard, red bump on your skin.

“The most common places for boils to form are in blocked hair follicles on the buttocks, inner thighs, and under your arms — areas with a lot of moisture,” says Sheryl Clark, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell Medical Center and an assistant attending physician in medicine at New York Hospital, both in New York City. Occasionally, boils can also form on the face or neck. A stye on your eyelid is also a type of boil.

Since the staph bug often invades your body through a scratch or cut, put antibacterial ointment on all cuts and scrapes. People prone to boils may want to consider washing regularly with antibacterial soap. [pagebreak]

Treatment

Never pop a boil, says Dr. Clark. “A boil drains a large amount of highly infected fluid. If you squeeze it, you will actually spread the infection and make it worse.” Instead, try these doctor-recommended steps.

Apply warm compresses. “Warm, moist heat increases bloodflow to the area, which may bring the boil to a head and speed healing,” says dermatologist Karen E. Burke, MD, PhD, an attending physician at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City and at Greensboro Specialty Surgical Center in North Carolina.

Apply a washcloth soaked in hot water to the boil for 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a day, until the boil comes to a head. “Sometimes that allows the boil to pop on its own and drain,” says Dr. Clark. Once the boil pops naturally, it should feel better immediately, and it should heal within several days.

Reap the benefits of benzoyl peroxide. Especially if a boil is large, the acne preparation benzoyl peroxide may help dry it out. “An over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide agent such as Oxy 10 can be used twice a day to dry out the lesion and reduce its size,” says Wilma Bergfeld, MD, head of clinical research in the Department of Dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. “Benzoyl peroxide is also an antiseptic, so it kills bacteria.”

Try a saline solution. Once a boil pops, apply saltwater to draw out pus and fluid and dry it out. “In a clean basin or sink, mix a teaspoon of salt for every cup of hot water. Dip in a washcloth, wring it out, and hold it on the boil. When it cools, redip it and reapply,” suggests Dr. Clark.

Wash away germs. Keep the area clean by washing with a liquid antibacterial soap and water, especially when a boil has started to drain. “Tap water is fine unless it’s an open wound; then use sterile bottled water,” says Dr. Bergfeld.

Apply antibacterial ointment. Bacitracin or Neosporin can help kill off any bacteria that is inside the boil or on the skin, says Dr. Clark. [pagebreak]

When to See a Doctor

If you have just one boil, you’re probably safe treating it at home, says Dr. Bergfeld. But you should see a doctor if:

You develop a boil on your upper lip, nose, cheeks, scalp, or forehead. Infections in these areas can gain easy access to the brain.

Q. A few years ago, I noticed…

Q. A few years ago, I noticed a few boils between my legs after a trip to a water park. They went away but returned about six months later. Now I always have them, inside my thighs under my buttocks. The doctor said they weren’t an STD. What are they and why are they there? They never go away no matter what. It’s very embarrassing.

A. You shouldn’t be embarrassed about your condition. Boils are simply bacterial infections of hair follicles. They happen to most of us at one time or the other.

Advertisement

The bacterial organism that usually causes boils is the well-known Staphylococcus aureus. The infection results in large, red, tender, swollen areas around each hair follicle affected.

The most common sites for boils are areas of the skin subject to irritation and friction, pressure or moisture. Application of petroleum-based lotions or creams also can plug the holes around the hair follicles and lead to an infection.

Advertisement

As you probably know, most of the time, these boils are just a painful but relatively minor skin problem that go away on their own. However, they can recur in the same area over and over again, and sometimes the infection can spread, creating a more serious problem.

I suggest you deal with your problem in three ways: self care, medical treatment and detective work. Self-care measures include: Applying warm, moist compresses on the boil to encourage it to drain by itself; avoiding squeezing the boil; washing the affected area (and your hands) with a strong antibacterial soap; using an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment as necessary.

Acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide are absorbed through the skin and can be helpful. If the boil has come to a head, gently lancing it with a sterilized needle will hasten resolution.

Staying cool, clean and dry surely should help. You may want to try cotton underwear and avoid wearing pantyhose when you can.

With your condition, you may be inclined to take many showers or baths a day. There is no evidence that washing your whole body that frequently will help prevent boils. And you may in fact be washing away natural oils that are good for your skin.

The recommended medical treatment for an existing “mature” boil is incision and drainage by a health-care provider. But your major concern is to stop recurrence of episodes of the infection. Because you get these infections frequently (known as recurrent furunculosis), you may want to ask your doctor about oral antibiotics, particularly dicloxacillin, rifampin or erythromycin if you’re allergic to penicillin.

Finally, the detective work involves trying to find out how and why you are getting these staph infections. It’s often difficult to find the predisposing cause, but you should try. The first thing is to assure that you’re not getting the infections from your environment, which can include roommates or family members.

From what you’ve said, you probably do have boils. But it may be a different skin infection. If after doing all I’ve suggested, you still have the infection, you may want to have a doctor, preferably a dermatologist, culture some of the exudate to determine what the organism is.

Advertisement

Update on walking: For all you men over 70

who say, “I’m too old to exercise and it won’t help me now anyway,” a recent study proves you wrong.

Men between the ages of 71 and 90 who walked only 1.5 miles per day cut their risk of heart attack in half over three years.

We’re not talking jogging here, simply walking, something almost everyone can do safely when starting out slowly and working up to it.

I expect that studies in older women also will prove that walking a moderate amount each day will prevent heart attacks for them as well.

———-

Advertisement

Write to Dr. Douma in care of the Chicago Tribune, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

ICSC 0225 – BENZOYL PEROXIDE

ICSC 0225 – BENZOYL PEROXIDE

« back to the search result list(en)

Chinese – ZHEnglish – ENFinnish – FIFrench – FRGerman – DEHebrew – HEHungarian – HUItalian – ITJapanese – JAKorean – KOPersian – FAPolish – PLPortuguese – PTRussian – RUSpanish – ES

	SPECIAL HAZARDS	PREVENTIVE MEASURES	FIRE EXTINGUISHING
FIRE AND EXPLOSION	Many reactions can lead to fire or explosion. Risk of fire or explosion. Explosive. See Chemical Hazards.	DO NOT use open flames, DO NOT spark, DO NOT SMOK. NO contact with flammable substances. DO NOT allow contact with hot surfaces. DO NOT subject to friction or shock. Use a hand tool that does not generate sparks.	Use plenty of water. In case of fire: cool drums, etc. spraying water. Fight fire from cover.

PREVENT DUST!
	SYMPTOMS	PREVENTIVE MEASURES	FIRST AID
Inhalation	Cough. Sore throat.	Use local exhaust or respiratory protection.	Fresh air, peace.
Leather	Redness.	Protective gloves. Protective clothing.	Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse and then wash skin with soap and water.
Eyes	Redness.	Wear protective goggles.	First of all, rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if possible without difficulty), then seek medical advice.
Ingestion		Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.	Rinse your mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Seek medical attention.

NOTES
Carrier solvents used in commercial formulations may alter physical and toxicological properties. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website