When you develop a boil, you may be tempted to pop it because it makes you so uncomfortable
Most of the time, you are tempted to pop it with a sharp instrument at home, this is wrong!
It will only help spread infection and make the boil worse.
If not properly treated, your boil may contain bacteria that could be harmful to your health.
You need to see a healthcare professional if you have a painful boil that isn’t healing. They may need to surgically open and drain the boil and also prescribe antibiotics.
What is a boil?
Boils are caused when a hair follicle or sweat gland is infected or inflamed.
The infection is typically caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus
A boil first appears as a hard and painful lump under the skin. It is usually about half an inch in size.
In a few days, it becomes softer, larger, and more painful. Then a pocket of pus forms on the top of the boil.
Boils usually appear in areas where sweat and oil can build up like the waist area, face, underarms, and groin area among others.
Boils can also cluster and be connected under the skin. This is called a carbuncle.
Self-care for boils
A boil can heal on its own. However, it gets more painful as the pus builds in it.
Rather than popping it, and causing infection, treat with care. You can try these steps:
Compress the boil using a clean and warm cloth. You can do this repeatedly to encourage the boil the come to a head and drain
The boil area should be kept clean always. Also, wash your hands after touching the boil area.
If the pain becomes unbearable, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen.
Once they boil opens, it brings out liquid. You should cover it at this stage to prevent infection in the open wound.
You can use an absorbent gauze or pad to prevent the pus from spreading and it should be changed frequently.
Medical treatment for boils
If your boil doesn’t heal with home treatment, you may need to visit a doctor
You also need to see the doctor or healthcare professional if it shows signs of serious infection and doesn’t improve within 2 weeks.
Medical treatment may include surgical incision, topical or oral antibiotics, and tests to determine the cause of the boil.
Surgical treatment is done to drain the boil. Your doctor will make a small incision in the face of the boil and then use an absorbent material, such as gauze, to soak up the pus inside.
You should not do this on your own because your home isn’t a sterile environment like a hospital setting. You’ll only put yourself at risk of developing a more serious infection or scarring.
When to call a doctor
You should see a doctor if your boil is accompanied by fever or symptoms of infection, worsens quickly is bigger than 2 inches across, and hasn’t improved in more than 2 weeks.
