What causes multiple boils on the body? Discover the underlying factors and effective treatment options for recurring boils.

Understanding Boils: Causes and Risk Factors

Boils, also known as furuncles, are infections of the hair follicles caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This common bacterium lives on the skin, and about one-third of the population carries it in their nasal passages. While usually harmless, S. aureus can cause a range of infections, from mild to severe, if it gains access to deeper tissues.

Certain areas of the body are more susceptible to boils, including the face, throat, armpits, groin, and buttocks. Additionally, factors that can increase the risk of developing boils include:

• Cuts, abrasions, or scratches: These provide an entry point for the bacteria to penetrate the skin’s surface.
• Diabetes: Recurring boils may be a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, particularly in individuals over 40 years of age.
• Poor hygiene: Sweat and dead skin cells in natural creases and crevices can create a hospitable environment for bacteria.
• Inadequate nutrition: Nutritional deficiencies can reduce a person’s natural immunity, making them more susceptible to boils.
• Broken skin: Conditions like eczema can break the skin’s surface, allowing bacteria to enter.

Symptoms and Evolution of Boils

The evolution of a boil typically follows these stages:

1. A small area of skin becomes inflamed and tender.
2. A painful lump appears.
3. After a few days, a white or yellow head forms.
4. The boil bursts, and pus drains out.
5. The site heals, and a scar may form, depending on the severity of the boil.

Potential Complications and Spreading of Infection

Staphylococcus bacteria can cause a range of infections, from relatively mild to severe and life-threatening. There is a small risk that the bacteria may spread from the boil to other areas of the body, potentially causing inflammation in various organs and tissues, such as the bone (osteomyelitis), heart (endocarditis), lung (pneumonia), meninges (meningitis), skin (impetigo), and vein (septic phlebitis).

Self-Care Strategies for Boils

While boils often resolve on their own, there are some self-care measures that can help manage the condition:

• Resist the temptation to squeeze the boil, as this can spread the infection.
• Wash the boil with antiseptic soap.
• Apply a hot compress for 10 minutes, three times daily, to encourage the boil to come to a head.
• Cover a burst boil with a bandaid.
• Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
• Use fresh towels every time you wash and dry the infected areas.
• See a doctor if the boil is not improving after a few days.

Medical Treatment for Severe or Recurring Boils

For severe or recurring boils, known as furunculosis, medical treatment may be necessary. This can include:

• Antibiotics to help rid the body of the infection.
• Lancing, or draining, the boil to relieve pressure and promote healing.
• Checking for underlying conditions, such as diabetes, that may be contributing to the recurring boils.
• Use of antiseptic shampoos and soaps.
• Antibiotic creams applied to the nasal membranes, as S. aureus commonly inhabits the nose.
• Strict attention to personal hygiene and frequent laundering of bedding and towels.
• In some cases, treatment for other household members, as S. aureus is contagious.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to seek medical attention if a boil is not improving after a few days or if it is located around the eyes or nose, as the infection may access the bloodstream and reach the brain. Additionally, individuals with diabetes or other underlying conditions should consult a doctor, as they may be at a higher risk of complications.

Preventing Recurrent Boils

To help prevent the recurrence of boils, it’s important to maintain good hygiene, manage any underlying health conditions, and address any breaks in the skin’s surface. By addressing the root causes and seeking prompt medical treatment when necessary, individuals can reduce the risk of developing multiple boils.

Boils – Better Health Channel

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Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• A boil is an infection of a hair follicle, caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.
• Boils usually resolve by themselves, but severe or recurring cases require medical attention.
• Medical treatment may include antibiotics and lancing.

A boil, or furuncle, is an infection of a hair follicle caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This common bacterium inhabits the skin, and approximately one third of the population carry the germ in their noses. S. aureus is usually harmless, but it can cause a range of mild to severe infections, if it gains access to deeper tissues. Certain areas of the body are more susceptible to boils, including the face, throat, armpits, groin and buttocks. A boil on the eyelid is known as a stye. A carbuncle is an aggregate of connected furuncles and has several pustular openings. Boils usually resolve by themselves, but severe or recurring cases require medical treatment. Options include lancing and draining the boil, and antibiotics.

Symptoms of boils

The evolution of a boil includes:

• A small area of skin becomes inflamed and tender
• A painful lump appears
• After a few days, a white or yellow head forms
• The boil bursts
• The pus drains out
• The site heals
• A scar may form, depending on the severity of the boil.

Risk factors for boils

Cuts, abrasions or scratches allow the bacteria to gain access to deeper tissues. Certain factors make a person more susceptible to outbreaks of boils, including:

• Diabetes – recurring boils may be symptomatic of uncontrolled diabetes, especially for people aged over 40 years.
• Poor hygiene – sweat and dead skin cells in natural creases and crevices, such as the armpit, provide a hospitable home for bacteria.
• Nutrition – inadequate nutrition may reduce a person’s natural immunity.
• Broken skin – other skin conditions, such as eczema, can break the skin surface.

Other infections

Staphylococcus bacteria can cause a range of infections, from relatively mild to severe and life threatening. There is a small risk that bacteria may spread from the boil to other areas of the body. Infection can cause inflammation of many organs and tissues, including:

• Bone (osteomyelitis)
• Heart (endocarditis)
• Lung (pneumonia)
• Meninges, the membranes lining the central nervous system (meningitis)
• Skin (impetigo)
• Vein (septic phlebitis).

Self-help options

Suggestions for treating a boil include:

• Resist the temptation to squeeze the boil.
• Wash the boil with antiseptic soap.
• Apply a hot compress for 10 minutes or so, three times daily, to encourage the boil to come to a head.
• Cover a burst boil with a bandaid.
• Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
• Use fresh towels every time you wash and dry the infected areas.
• See your doctor if the boil isn’t improving after a few days.

Treatment for boils

Medical treatment for a severe boil may include antibiotics and lancing. Boils around the eyes and nose should always be treated by a doctor, because the infection may access the bloodstream and reach the brain. Furunculosis refers to recurring outbreaks of boils. Treatment includes:

• Checking for underlying disorders, such as diabetes.
• Long term use of antibiotics to rid the body of infection.
• Use of antiseptic shampoos and soaps.
• Antibiotic creams applied to the nasal membranes, because S. aureus commonly inhabits the nose.
• Strict attention to personal hygiene.
• Frequent laundering of all bedding and towels.
• In some cases, other members of the household will need similar treatment, since S. aureus is contagious.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Chemist
• Dermatologist.

• Staphylococcus aureus – golden staph, 1999, Better Health Channel, Department of Health, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 21-08-2014

Recurring Boils: Causes and Treatment

Boils form from infected hair follicles. They can start as small, red bumps and turn into hard lumps under your skin that secrete pus. They usually go away on their own, but can reoccur.

A boil is a pus-filled skin infection that occurs around a hair follicle or oil gland. It’s also called a furuncle.

Boils are common. They may occur in hair follicles anywhere on the body but typically occur in areas where hair and sweat coexist, like the:

• armpits
• thighs
• facial area
• neck
• under the breasts
• buttocks

The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus typically causes boils, but other bacteria can also cause them.

Once bacteria have infected the hair follicles and the skin tissue around it, white blood cells are deployed to fight the infection.

These white blood cells create pus that collects under the skin. This is why what often starts as a small, red lump can become a painful eruption.

Yes, sometimes boils can recur. The presence of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus can cause repeat cases of boils. Once present, the body and skin may be more susceptible to reinfection.

A 2015 study found that around 10 percent of people with a boil or abscess had a repeat infection within a year.

While this is a relatively low percentage, the study was only conducted through medical records. Those who had repeat boils may or may not have visited a doctor if they developed another boil.

You may be more at risk for recurring boils if you have a weakened immune system.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (also known as acne inversa) is a condition that involves the development of boil-like lumps that can secrete pus, but also blood.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a serious, painful condition, and in many cases, the exact cause is unknown. But genetics may play a role, which means you may be more susceptible to developing this condition if another family member has it.

Regular boils caused by bacteria are not inherited.

You can often treat a boil at home. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Keep the area clean and free of any irritants.
2. Don’t pick or attempt to pop the boil.
3. Apply a warm compress to the boil several times a day.
4. Don’t reuse or share cloths used for compresses.

A warm compress will help pull out the pus inside the boil. This can help the boil drain on its own.

If you attempt to pop or lance the boil yourself, you’ll put the area at risk of further infection.

If you have recurring boils, tell your doctor. Recurring boils may point to MRSA infection or an increase in other types of staph bacteria in the body.

If you have several boils in the same place, you may be developing a carbuncle. See your doctor for a carbuncle. It may be a sign of a larger infection in the body.

Also visit your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• hot, red skin around the boil
• fever
• long-lasting boil
• extreme pain
• boil on spine or face

Most boils go away on their own with proper treatment and care. But in rare instances, complications can occur. Some of these complications include:

• permanent scarring
• infection spreading to other parts of the body
• infection of the blood (sepsis)
• bone infection

If you notice a boil not going away on its own or seemingly getting worse and becoming more painful, the best course of action is to visit a doctor as soon as you can.

If your boil has not gone away on its own after 2 weeks, your doctor may recommend a surgical incision and drainage.

Typically, this procedure involves making a small cut at the top of the boil. This is known as lancing. Your doctor will extract pus with sterile tools.

If the boil is too large for the pus to drain completely, it may be packed with gauze.

Preventing boils has a lot to do with your personal hygiene routine. Keeping yourself clean and free of excess sweat as much as possible can be a big help. Avoiding clothing that causes chafing can also help.

To further prevent the chance of a boil recurring, you can also do the following:

• Avoid sharing towels or washcloths with anyone.
• Avoid sharing razors or topical deodorants.
• Clean bathtubs, toilet seats, and other frequently touched surfaces.
• Cover any existing boils with clean bandages.
• Bathe regularly, especially after sweating.

Boils usually go away on their own, but can also reoccur. If you have recurring boils, contact your doctor to diagnose the reason for the recurrence.

Your doctor can help treat the current boil and put together a course of action to prevent it from returning, like hygiene adjustment or antibiotic treatment.

Boils and furunculosis

Furuncle – acute purulent-necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle and its sebaceous glands.

Multiple lesions of boils are called furunculosis. The term “multiple” should be understood as both the simultaneous defeat of several boils, and the sequential (one after the other) occurrence of boils on various
areas of the body.

The causative agent of this disease is Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. Aureus).

The disease begins with the appearance of an itchy infiltrate that is localized in places where there are hair follicles. An area of ​​skin hyperemia and edema appears above the infiltrate, while these phenomena subside from the center to the periphery, without
clear boundaries. This stage is the stage of infiltration.

After 1–3 days, a point area of ​​skin necrosis appears above the infiltrate, after which a purulent core is determined – a necrotic follicle. This is the abscess stage.

When localized on the face, scrotum and labia majora, a pronounced edema of the surrounding tissues develops, which is associated with looseness of the subcutaneous tissue of these areas.

In most cases, the disease ends with an independent rejection of the purulent-necrotic rod along with the hair, after which the signs of the inflammatory process become less pronounced and in place of the boil there remains an inconspicuous
dotted whitish scar.

Sometimes the inflammatory process goes beyond the hair follicle affected by staphylococci, and passes to the surrounding tissues with the formation of an abscess or phlegmon. With the localization of the boil in the joint area, the infectious process
Maybe
spread to the joint bag or to the cavity of the joint itself, causing purulent bursitis and arthritis.

Treatment in a surgical hospital is carried out at the stage of abscess formation, as well as with the development of purulent complications.

Hospitalization is mandatory for boils located on the face above the upper lip, boils of newborns, complicated forms of the disease and recurrent course of furunculosis.

In the conditions of a hospital of the department of purulent surgery of the City Clinical Hospital 29, on an emergency basis, you will be provided with the necessary specialized assistance in the amount of an adequate opening of the abscess. The duration of hospitalization is on average about 3 days, which is necessary for
taking all routine tests and detecting / excluding chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (which is the most common background for the development of furunculosis), lung diseases (X-rays of the chest organs are performed,
obligatory examination by a therapist), chronic sluggish infections (blood is taken for analysis for HIV infection, hepatitis B and C, syphilis). Dressings under the supervision of the attending physician will allow in the early postoperative period to avoid
complications (bleeding, inadequate sanitation of the wound), and if a further spread of the purulent process is detected, timely provide the necessary surgical care in the amount of secondary surgical treatment of the wound.

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how to treat and what are the causes

Furunculosis – how to treat and what are the causes

Hotline number
8 (800) 707 71 81

About the disease
About treatment

Clinical picture of furunculosis

Furunculosis is an acute or chronic form of the disease, characterized by multiple rash of boils on a limited area of ​​the skin (on the neck, lower back, buttocks, in the forearms) or on various parts of the body.

Types of furunculosis

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to squeeze out a boil on your own!

Complications of furunculosis:

• sepsis

  Blood poisoning

Attention! Be sure to consult a doctor if:

no improvement is observed within 3 days

the boil is very painful, with a lot of pus

the resulting pain from the boil interferes with movement

the furuncle arose in the face, spine or in the rectal zone, and at the same time, red stripes are visible, diverging from the furuncle

boils often appear

About the treatment of furunculosis

Furunculosis, the treatment of which requires a lot of effort and time, most often occurs in people with a weakened immune system. A common cause of furunculosis is constant irritation of the skin by rubbing against clothing, its contamination or exposure to chemicals.

How to treat furunculosis?

A furuncle in the groin that has appeared can be cured with the help of compresses from ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky ointment. A similar procedure can be performed when a boil occurs on the leg.

But if we are talking about multiple rashes, then complex therapy is needed, which consists of physiotherapy procedures (UHF, electrophoresis, darsonvalization), antibiotic treatment or even surgical intervention.

Prevention of furunculosis consists in observing the rules of personal hygiene, proper nutrition, excluding excessive amounts of sweet and fatty foods, and a healthy lifestyle.

Chronic furunculosis is more difficult to cure than the acute form. But in the fight against this unpleasant disease, immunomodulatory therapy shows good results.

Galavit in case of furunculosis

Domestic drug Galavit combines not only immunomodulatory, but also anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties that contribute to the fight against furunculosis.