Boils - Symptoms and Treatments

Boils are caused by a local infection deep in the skin that presents as a red, swollen area that is tender to the touch and eventually forms into an abscess. The abscess fills with white blood cells, or pus, to help stop the infection. Acne, carbuncles, and other skin cysts are all variations on boils. Boils are generally caused by a clogged pore, an ingrown hair, or clogged sweat glands. Anyone can develop a boil; however, people with weak immune systems are more susceptible to them.

Treatments for boils:

The most effective treatment for boils is heat application. Heat causes cell movement, which brings the white blood cells to the site of the infection faster. It is not advisable to squeeze it or open it up before it forms a head. If the boil is very large, it may be necessary to see a doctor. In some cases, there may be an accompanying bacterial infection that will need to be treated by antibiotics. Be sure to ask a healthcare professional if you feel that your boil is excessively large and does not seem to be healing on its own.