How do boils form and what causes them. What are the most common areas for boils to develop. Can benzoyl peroxide help treat boils effectively. What are the best 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 form under the skin when bacteria infect a hair follicle. The most common culprit behind these infections is Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that naturally resides on human skin. When this bacteria invades a hair follicle, it can lead to inflammation, swelling, and the formation of a painful, red lump filled with pus.

Boils typically develop in areas where there is friction, moisture, or increased sweating, such as:

• Buttocks
• Inner thighs
• Armpits
• Face and neck (less common)
• Eyelids (styes)

These skin infections can vary in size, ranging from small, pea-sized bumps to larger, golf ball-sized masses. As the infection progresses, the boil may come to a head, where the accumulated pus pushes its way to the skin’s surface.

The Role of Benzoyl Peroxide in Treating Boils

Benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne treatments, can be an effective tool in managing boils. This over-the-counter medication offers several benefits:

• Drying effect: Benzoyl peroxide helps dry out the boil, potentially reducing its size and promoting faster healing.
• Antiseptic properties: It acts as an antimicrobial agent, killing bacteria on the skin’s surface and within the infected follicle.
• Exfoliation: The mild exfoliating action of benzoyl peroxide can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, potentially preventing future boils.

To use benzoyl peroxide for boils, apply a 5-10% concentration product directly to the affected area twice daily. Be cautious, as it may cause skin irritation or dryness in some individuals. If you experience any adverse reactions, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

Home Remedies and Self-Care for Boils

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

1. Warm Compresses

Applying warm, moist compresses to the affected area can help bring the boil to a head and promote natural drainage. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply it to the boil for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times daily. This method increases blood flow to the area, which may speed up healing and provide relief from pain and discomfort.

2. Saline Solution

Once a boil has naturally drained, a saline solution can help draw out remaining pus and fluid while promoting healing. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water, then use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the affected area. Repeat this process several times a day to keep the area clean and encourage healing.

3. Proper Hygiene

Maintaining good hygiene is crucial when dealing with boils. Wash the affected area gently with an antibacterial soap and warm water several times a day. This helps prevent the spread of infection and promotes healing. For open wounds, use sterile bottled water instead of tap water to avoid introducing new bacteria.

4. Antibacterial Ointments

Over-the-counter antibacterial ointments like Bacitracin or Neosporin can help prevent the spread of infection and promote healing. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the affected area after cleaning, following the product instructions carefully.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Boils

While many boils can be treated at home, there are situations where professional medical care is necessary. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

• 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 face, especially near your eyes, nose, or mouth
• You have a boil on your breast, particularly if you are breastfeeding
• You experience frequent recurrences of boils
• You have a fever or other signs of systemic infection
• You have a weakened immune system or underlying health conditions

In these cases, a doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics, perform incision and drainage, or recommend other treatments based on the severity and location of the boil.

Preventing Boils: Strategies for Reducing Recurrence

Prevention is key when it comes to boils. Here are some strategies to help reduce the likelihood of developing these painful skin infections:

1. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and shower regularly, especially after sweating or engaging in activities that may introduce bacteria to your skin.
2. Use antibacterial soap: Consider using an antibacterial soap for daily washing, particularly if you’re prone to boils.
3. Keep cuts and scrapes clean: Apply an antibacterial ointment to any cuts, scrapes, or insect bites to prevent bacterial entry.
4. Avoid sharing personal items: Don’t share towels, washcloths, or razors with others to prevent the spread of bacteria.
5. Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing: This can help reduce friction and moisture in areas prone to boils.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can help boost your immune system and reduce your susceptibility to infections.

Understanding Recurrent Boils: Causes and Solutions

Some individuals may experience frequent recurrences of boils, which can be frustrating and concerning. There are several potential reasons for this:

• Bacterial colonization: Some people may harbor Staphylococcus aureus in their nasal passages or on their skin, leading to frequent infections.
• Weakened immune system: Certain medical conditions or medications can compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to recurrent boils.
• Genetic factors: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing boils more frequently.
• Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase the likelihood of recurrent boils.
• Poor hygiene or living conditions: Inadequate hygiene or unsanitary living conditions can contribute to frequent boil occurrences.

If you experience recurrent boils, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. They may recommend additional treatments or tests to identify underlying causes and develop a comprehensive management plan.

Alternative Treatments and Emerging Research

While traditional treatments like benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics remain the mainstay of boil management, researchers are exploring alternative approaches to prevent and treat these infections. Some emerging areas of interest include:

Probiotics

Some studies suggest that certain probiotic strains may help prevent Staphylococcus aureus colonization, potentially reducing the risk of boils. While more research is needed, incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into your diet may offer some benefits.

Essential Oils

Certain essential oils, such as tea tree oil and oregano oil, have demonstrated antimicrobial properties in laboratory studies. However, their effectiveness in treating boils in humans requires further investigation. If you choose to use essential oils, always dilute them properly and perform a patch test to check for allergic reactions.

Phage Therapy

Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target and destroy bacteria, are being studied as a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections, including those causing boils. While this technology is still in its early stages, it holds promise for addressing antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Immunomodulatory Therapies

Researchers are exploring ways to boost the body’s natural immune response to prevent recurrent boils. This may involve developing vaccines or other immunomodulatory treatments that target Staphylococcus aureus specifically.

As research in these areas progresses, new treatment options may become available for individuals struggling with recurrent boils or those seeking alternatives to traditional therapies.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

———-

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

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ICSC 0225 – BENZOYL PEROXIDE

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