Q&A: What Is A Boil & How To Treat It?

Q: What are boils? I have them on my thighs. – J. P.

A: A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.

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The most common places for boils to occur are on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders and buttocks. A boil on the eyelid is called a sty. When several boils appear in a group it is called a carbuncle and that is a more serious infection.

Boils usually arise after a germ enters the body through a tiny cut in the skin or travels down the hair follicle. They are commonly seen on the thighs from shaving your legs.

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Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if your infection is severe.

Here are some home remedies to help treat boils:

• Apply warm compresses and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and… …help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within 10 days of its appearance. You can make a warm compress by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture.
• When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone and clean with rubbing alcohol. Apply a medicated ointment (topical antibiotic) and a bandage. Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals.
• Do not pop the boil with a needle. This could make the infection worse.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.