Boils are painful, pus-filled bumps on the skin that are triggered by the infection of one or more hair follicles. This contagious condition affects both sexes and start as red, tender lumps that grow as they are filled with pus. These rupture and drain in about two weeks. Large boils may leave a scar and may occur with a fever.



'Boils can occur anywhere on your skin, but appear mainly on your face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs - hair-bearing areas where you're most likely to sweat or experience friction. Sometimes boils occur in clusters called carbuncles. Although anyone can develop boils and carbuncles, people who have diabetes, a suppressed immune system, or acne or other skin problems are at increased risk,' explained the Mayo Clinic.

Staph bacteria that normally inhabit the skin, throat and nasal passages, are responsible for boils. They enter the body through a cut, scratch or break in the skin. The same bacteria also cause pneumonia, meningitis and urinary tract infections.

Poor health, lowered resistance to disease, diabetes and the use of immunosuppressive drugs can make one suscep¬tible to boils. Other high risk groups are those with acne or dermatitis.

Boils usually disappear without any treatment. In some cases, the infection may enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, bones, joints and other tissues. Boils on the face may affect the sinuses and the brain. This happens if a boil is squeezed or touched so it's best to leave it alone.

'In some cases, bacteria from a boil can enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. The spreading infection, commonly known as blood poisoning (septicemia), can rapidly become life-threatening,' warned the Mayo Clinic.

Avoid touching or draining the pus of a boil since you will only spread the infection to nearby skin, causing new boils to form. If a boil drains, use a clean towel or tissue paper to wipe the area and prevent the infection from spreading. Cover the area with sterile gauze and wash your hands before and after dressing the wound.

For pain relief, warm water soaks or a warm compress applied for 10 minutes three to four times daily is advised. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat severe or recurrent infections. To speed recovery and prevent scarring, your doctor may drain a large boil.

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