Staphylococci are the causes of boils. It is a serious infection that always originates in a hair follicle or sebaceous gland. Characteristic of a boil is the hard infiltrate – hence the name – and the necrosis in the heart. A boil usually breaks open within a week. This means that the necrotic plug comes out. The deeper the inflammation is, the longer the ‘maturation’ of the skin infection takes. Boils can be dangerous, especially if they are on the face, such as a lip boil or a nasal furuncle. The bacteria can spread to the brain and cause meningitis. In case of recurrent boils, the doctor will always be aware of diabetes. Diabetics are more susceptible to this condition.
Contents
- Where does a boil (furuncle) develop?
- Hairy skin
- Infiltrate and ‘mature’ boil
- Inflammatory signs (symptoms) of a boil
- Sepsis (blood poisoning)
- When to go to the doctor?
- Severe symptoms
- Complications and treatment of boils
- Home remedies
- Causes, distribution and prevention of boils
Where does a boil (furuncle) develop?
A boil is an inflammation of the skin originating from a sebaceous gland or hair follicle and the subcutis, which mainly consists of fatty tissue with connective tissue septums and is located under the skin (dermis and epidermis). It is a staphylococcal infection that causes necrosis (death).
Boil (furuncle) / Source: El Pantera, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Hairy skin
As soon as a boil spreads locally, it is called a carbuncle (nine-eye). By the way, it doesn’t have to be nine boils . Boils, or stone ulcers, form on hairy, preferably moist parts of the skin, especially if there is also friction, such as in the armpits, buttocks (buttocks) and neck (collar). But also, for example, on the inside of the nostrils (nasal furuncle) as a result of nose picking.
Infiltrate and ‘mature’ boil
A boil is a bacterial infection that usually occurs on certain parts of the body. Due to the virulence of the (usually) staphylococcus aureus , there are more than 20 types of staphylococci, it is not surprising that this infection occurs relatively easily in a family. The bacteria cause inflammatory foci around a hair follicle or sebaceous gland. The growth of the bacterial colony destroys the surrounding skin cells. The incoming white blood cells and the antibodies formed elsewhere enter into battle.
Ulcer
Numerous phagocytic granulocytes and macrophages leave the capillaries ( capillaries ) and envelop the bacteria. This creates a kind of defensive wall around the source of inflammation, which over time increasingly resembles a mass grave of dead skin cells, dead bacteria, dead white blood cells and other body cells. So there is abscess formation . A superficial abscess, such as a boil, is also called an ulcer or skin abscess.
Ripening
As long as the boil is not yet ripe and no white head (mass grave of cells) has developed on the boil . one should stay away from it. In other words, the boil must first ripen. If this natural process is allowed to take its course, the body’s defense will be faster, reducing the risk of the infection spreading.
Inflammatory signs (symptoms) of a boil
A boil can be compared to a microvolcano. The causative agent, often staphylococcus aureus , is a very virulent bacterium . These pathogenic micro-organisms penetrate the skin through a wound and then infect a hair follicle or a clogged sebaceous gland. The five characteristic inflammatory symptoms then occur:
- Redness ( rubor ).
- Heat ( calor ).
- Swelling ( tumor ).
- Pain ( dolor ).
- Loss of function ( functio laesa ).
Boil (furuncle) / Source: El Pantera, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Sepsis (blood poisoning)
The above-mentioned inflammatory reactions are the result of the body doing everything it can to keep the inflammation local and thus prevent sepsis (blood poisoning). In short, it is a fierce battle between the white blood cells and the invaders (staphylococci). The boil also has these characteristic inflammatory symptoms, with the following symptoms coming to the fore:
- Red discoloration of the affected skin.
- Infiltrate formation causes a hard disc to form in the skin.
- Pain and/or itching.
When to go to the doctor?
A carbuncle , also called nine-eye, is a collection of boils that apparently form one whole. In fact, it concerns numerous areas of necrosis that, after they have burst and the pus can drain, leave typical holes or cavities in the skin. There may be three, but also six or seven. The danger of boils is that the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis (blood poisoning).
Severe symptoms
Boils on the face, such as nasal furuncle, are notorious for their danger of meningitis . So never squeeze a boil. Go to the doctor if you have the following signs and symptoms:
- The boil is very painful.
- If the boil is covered by a callus or if a carbuncle develops.
- If the infiltrate becomes larger and no pus head forms.
- For fever, chills and symptoms of general malaise.
- In case of swollen lymph nodes or a subcutaneous red stripe (lymphatic tract) that moves away from the boil.
- If you have diabetes.
- If the boils keep coming back (recurring), this is known as furunculosis. An underlying condition, such as untreated diabetes, can make these individuals more susceptible to boils.
Complications and treatment of boils
Warm compresses are an excellent method to help the boil ripen faster. Do this several times a day for half an hour. Continue to do this for a few days after the boil has burst. Eventually a head forms, which opens, after which the pus can drain and the (clean) wound heals. Once the boil has broken through, keep the surrounding skin clean. Preferably take a shower and not a bath. This is to prevent spread. Cover the open boil with sterile gauze. For the reasons mentioned earlier, never squeeze a boil.
Source: DarkoStojanovic, Pixabay
Antibiotics
The GP will usually treat the furuncle (allow it to mature) with a drawing ointment, such as diachylone, and may decide to make an incision later. Antibiotics are only prescribed if the infection is likely to spread or if there is a facial furuncle, which has greater risks. The complications of a boil are recurrences and blood poisoning (sepsis). Thrombophlebitis is also notorious: the venous blood drainage from certain parts of the nose runs via the ophthalmic vein to the cranial cavity, in particular the cavernous sinus . So squeezing a nasal furuncle is definitely not allowed.
Home remedies
There are all kinds of folk remedies that quickly ripen a boil. Consider them as an alternative to the warm compress, they should also be replaced every few hours:
- Wet tea bag.
- A slice of tomato.
- A raw slice of onion.
- A crushed garlic.
Causes, distribution and prevention of boils
Poor resistance, general malaise or certain conditions, such as diabetes, are often the underlying cause of furunculosis . The GP will also investigate this at some point. For obvious reasons, boils spread easily in the family or in other forms of living together. Washing hands often is important. Know that staphylococci can also cause food poisoning. A family member with a boil should be provided with their own towels. In principle, one should be very careful with all his or her laundry, such as lingerie and handkerchiefs. In fact, these are ‘light’ quarantine measures and strict hygiene to prevent the bacterial infection from
spreading to other family members. Healthy diet
Finally, a varied and healthy diet, sufficient rest and increasing general resistance and therefore resistance to infections reduce the risk of boils developing.
read more
- Nasal furuncle (boil) – treatment and complications
- Boil (furuncle) in the ear
- This is how you recognize inflammatory symptoms
- This creates an abscess
- Causes of pain – inflammation
