What is a boil?

What is a boil?

The boil is the result of inflammation of the base of a hair (hair pedicle) called folliculitis, which takes the form of an abscess. This inflammation is caused by infection with a bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called staph.

Besides being caused by another bacterium, the boil is distinguished from acne by its size and especially by the fact that it is painful. In general, the boil presents in its center a slough, a whitish or yellowish, whose elimination precedes healing of the boil. The circumference of the boil is red and the skin around is brilliant.

Sometimes several boils develop side by side in a unique area of ​​the body. Often, these appearances are repeated over time and may even become chronic. This is called furunculosis.

Because of these characteristics, there are a number of practices to prevent or to boil when a ban was introduced.

First, avoid handling or touching a boil. Besides the fact that this can increase pain, tampering can cause the spread of germs and cause the appearance of other boils. In short, do not touch your boils you would exacerbate the situation.

It is also best to avoid contact between an infected skin area and an area of ​​healthy skin to prevent spread of infection.

Most importantly, do not try to drill a boil and make out the pus. You may spread the bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) causing the infection in the blood and this can lead to sepsis. This practice should be prohibited completely. Finally in case of complications such as fever or sore or boils that seems abnormal, do not wait before consulting a doctor. It is the only likely to give you appropriate advice.