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Overview
A boil is a hard and painful lump that fills with pus. Most boils go away on their own. See a GP if you keep getting them.
Symptoms
A boil often starts as an itchy or tender spot.
Boils can sometimes leak pus.
Boils can appear anywhere on your body.
When lots of boils form together it's called a carbuncle.
Causes
Boils are caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle.
Risk Factors
You may be more likely to get boils if you have a long-term condition that affects your immune system, such as diabetes or HIV.
You may also be more likely to get boils if:
- you're a man
- you've been in close contact with someone with boils
- you have certain skin conditions, such as eczema
- you take certain medicines, such as steroids
- you’re living with obesity or malnutrition
Carbuncles are less common and mostly affect middle-aged men.
Treatment Options
A GP can check if you need treatment.
You may need:
- a small procedure to drain the boil to get rid of the pus
- antibiotics
Prevention Tips
Things you can do to help boils
There are things you can do to treat boils yourself and stop them coming back:
- soak a clean cloth in warm water and hold it against the boil for 10 minutes 4 times a day
- clean the area around the boil with antibacterial soap if pus comes out
- cover the area with a dressing or gauze until it heals
- bathe or shower every day and wash your hands regularly
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain
- wash your towels and bedding at least once a week at high temperature
- try to lose weight if you are very overweight and have boils between folds of your skin
- do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil
- do not share your towel with other people until the boil has gone
- do not go to a swimming pool or gym until the boil has gone – you could pass the infection on to others
When To See A Doctor
See a GP if:
- you've had a boil for 2 weeks and the things you've tried are not helping
- you keep getting boils
- you have a group of boils (carbuncle)
Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:
- it is on your face
- the skin around your boil feels hot, painful and swollen
- you feel hot and shivery
- you have a weakened immune system – this could be from taking treatments such as steroids, or having a condition like diabetes
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