Boils and skin infections are usually caused by bacteria. Avoid sharing items and wash hands thoroughly, especially after touching skin infections. Content 1
A boil (sometimes known as a furuncle) is an infection of the skin, often around a hair follicle. It is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (commonly known as golden staph). Many healthy people carry these bacteria on their skin or in their nose, but do not have any symptoms. Boils occur when bacteria get through broken skin and cause tender, swollen, pimple-like sores, which are full of pus. Boils usually get better on their own, but severe or recurring cases may require medical treatment and support.
Staph bacteria may also cause other skin infections, including impetigo. Impetigo, commonly known as school sores (as they affect school-age children), are small blisters or flat crusty sores on the skin. See the Impetigo factsheet for specific information on Impetigo.
How can boils be treated? A warm salt-water soaked dressing applied to the boil for 10-20 minutes several times a day may encourage the drainage of pus to drain which then helps reduce the pain. A single boil usually gets better naturally, especially if the pus it contains discharges spontaneously.
How are they diagnosed?
Most skin infections are diagnosed on the basis of their appearance and the presence of any related symptoms (such as fever). Your doctor may take swabs or samples from boils, wounds, or other sites of infection to identify the bacteria responsible. Some infections may be caused by bacteria that are resistant to some antibiotics. See the MRSA in the community factsheet for detailed information on infections caused by antibiotic resistant strains.
Dr. Semenovskaya specializes in emergency medicine, and received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College. She is currently the medical director at Remote Emergency Medicine Consulting, LLC and splits her time working clinically as an emergency medicine attending in California and Alaska. She is the first of our doctors to be fluent in Russian.
5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Boils | Treat a Boil at Home FAST
FAQ
Is salt water good for boils?
What draws out infection in a boil?
How do I get rid of a boil quickly?
How does adding salt to water make it boil faster?
Does hot water help a boil?
Always use warm water instead of hot—you don’t want to burn yourself! The warm compress boosts circulation around the boil, which directs more white blood cells to the area. This helps the boil to come to a head, rupture, and drain more quickly. This remedy works for all types of boils, including ones on your groin and buttocks.
What is the best way to heal a boil?
Here are some home remedies that you can try to help heal a boil: 1. Apply warm compresses. This can help to bring the boil to a head and promote drainage. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and apply it to the boil for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day. 2. Use over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment. This can help to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the boil 2-3 times a day. Keep the area clean and dry. Wash the area with soap and water twice a day, and pat it dry. Cover the boil with a bandage. This will help to keep the area clean and prevent the spread of infection. 3. Avoid touching or squeezing the boil. This can force the infection deeper into the skin and make it worse.
Why does salted water boil faster than pure water?
Put two containers on a stove or hot plate to boil — one with pure water and the other with 20% salt in water. Why does the salted water boil more quickly, even though it has a higher boiling point? It’s because adding the salt lowered the heat capacity of the water.
Can a boil be treated at home?
Boils often need to be treated by a healthcare provider, but some small boils may respond to home treatments. Applying warm compresses several times a day can help bring the boil to the surface and encourage it to open and drain. It is important to keep the area clean, dry, and covered both before and after the boil drains.