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Boils

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

A boil, known medically as a furuncle (FUR-un-cul), is an infected hair follicle (the place in the skin where a hair is formed). Boils are common and grow deep into the skin's layers. They are usually found on the face, neck, breasts, and buttocks. With treatment, a boil can be cured in 5 to 10 days.

Causes

Boils are caused by bacteria. If a boil breaks open, the bacteria may spread to nearby skin, causing new boils to form.

Signs/Symptoms

A painful, pus-filled, red bump will appear. A boil can appear suddenly and become very painful within 24 hours.

Care

Often, a boil will go away without treatment. However, your doctor may need to open the boil to let the pus out; and antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection. Keep your skin clean. Do not pick the boil. Warm soaks may help healing.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Apply heat to help relieve the pain and get rid of the boil faster. Use warm, wet compresses or a heating pad set on low 4 to 6 times a day for 20 minutes.
  • Do not pick the boil. Keep the skin clean.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • The boil gets bigger or does not improve in 3 to 4 days.
  • You develop a high temperature.
  • You develop new boils, or other members of your family develop boils.
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