Boils and Abscess and Carbuncles - Medtick
Medtick

Boils and Abscess and Carbuncles

What is it?

Boils (Furnacle)

  • Infection of hair follicle (small sac where hair grows from) or by clogged sweat glands or foreign material embedded in skin
  • As the body fights the infection, the boil grows which can vary from 3cm to 10cm, becomes more painful and can burst.

Carbuncles

Anus area

Boils can be very contagious and can easily spread

Cause

  • Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus
  • Contact with infected persons
  • Athletes participating in contact sports or using shared equipment
  • Obese
  • Males going through puberty due to hormonal changes
  • Unhygienic conditions
  • Poor personal hygiene
  • Overcrowded areas
  • Other skin conditions where one scratches their skin and is prone to a skin infection
  • Weak immune system condition
  • Obesity (BMI over 30)

Illicit drugs

Symptoms

  • On hairy areas i.e. buttocks, armpits, groin, neck, shoulders, and/or face?
  • Hot, red, swollen skin, area then hardens and later fills with pus?
  • Appears like a large spot with a puss filled head?
  • Becoming more larger and more painful over days to one or two weeks?
  • Has it burst?
  • Bleed and bruise easily (or appears like bruising and bleeding)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice if one has or develop:

  • Fever
  • If on eyes , nose or face
  • If getting worst
  • If have a carbuncle
  • Boil is large becoming an abscess (where infection is growing under the skin and is swelling up).
  • Skin appears bruised and is not due to injury.
  • Boil feels soft and spongy to touch (abscess).
  • Not heeled within two weeks.
  • Cellulitis
Boils can be very contagious and can easily spread
  • Do not wear tight clothing where sweat and heat can build up.
  • Avoid moist areas i.e. swimming pools and gyms.
  • Wash hands using an antibacterial soap.
  • Shower  and wash boil regularly using an antibacterial soap and dry thoroughly.
  • Do not share towel, flannels and utensils or sports equipment
  • Wash clothing, bed linen and towels at high temperature.
  • Do not scratch skin/pick it can spread the infection.

Treatment

  • One can use Magnesium sulphate paste
  • Apply a warm cloth for twenty minutes three to four times daily and dispose cloth to promote more blood circulation to fight infection.
  • if Boil/abscess/carbuncles starts to drain, wash the area with antibacterial soap and apply some antiseptic ointment or antibiotic ointment (if prescribed) and a loose bandage.
  • Repeat this process of cleansing and bandaging the area 2–3 times a day until the skin is healed.
  • Keep wounds covered and when changing dressings, place in a separate plastic bag and dispose in the bin.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Boils and Abscess and Carbuncles in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.