If you have never had a boil, then consider yourself very fortunate. These are extremely painful and normally developed in highly sensitive spots like your groin area, your neck, and the armpits, under your breasts, and on any other spot that might receive chafing. They are similar to an overgrown pimple, and many times are caused because of an infected hair follicle.

These can get very large, often to the size of a ping-pong ball, and hurt very bad. There are some things that you can do to help prevent these from occurring, and most of it holds down to cleanliness. In order to prevent them, you need to keep the areas that are prone to getting them clean, often using an antibacterial soap helps, and keeping the areas dry. You also want to avoid wearing clothes that are overly tight.

There are some methods to treat these at home, and I will list these below.

One thing you never ever wanted due to a boil is to squeeze it, scratch it, drain it or lance it. If you squeeze the boil that can cause the infection go deeper into your skin and if you scratch it you can spread the infection to other areas of your body.
Use an antibacterial soap to wash your body thoroughly and to keep any infection from spreading to different areas.
As soon as you notice a boil developing, you need to apply hot, wet washcloths do it for periods of 20 to 30 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day. These two combined, both that he and the moisture work together to soften up the skin and bring the boil to a head. Often times it can take as long as 5 to 7 days for a head to develop, so don't try to rush it along by squeezing it. If you are to apply a hot water bottle or a heating pad that is waterproof over the top of a moist towel this can also help.
After the boil finally opens up and starts to drain, you want to keep using warm compresses on it for approximately 3 days. Make sure you put a covering over it to keep the pus and ooze from spreading around and possibly infecting other follicles. Make sure that you change the bandage everyday.
There are times when a boil develops in an area that is much too painful to deal with, and if this is the case it might be necessary to contact your Dr. for it. The doctor will be able to lance it and treat the infection properly. If any of these following circumstances are present, don't hesitate to go into the Dr.

If by a foul happenstance that you happen to get a boil on your face, in their area of your spine, or around the anal area, don't hesitate to call.
If any of the signs of the infection make it seem that it is getting more severe, i.e. increased pain swelling and heat, tenderness, redness, red streaks extending from it, a prolonged discharge of pus, or a high fever of 100° or more without any other cause. Go in.
If you get any other type of lumps near the infected area, go in.
If you can't perform any of your normal activities because of the pain, go in.
If you are a diabetic, you need to go in.
If the boil becomes as large as a ping-pong ball, don't hesitate to go in.
If after 5 to 7 days of trying to treat it yourself and trying to get it to come to a head doesn't work, it might be time to go in.
If over period of several months you develop a lot of boils, it's a good idea to get checked out.
As you can see these are extremely painful and unpleasant experience. Most times they can be prevented by showering regularly and keeping yourself clean, but it isn't always the case. Sometimes these things just happen. I hope that you found this article helpful and that it will increase your knowledge in this area.




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