Boils

BOILS

1. DR.PRAFULLA PATIL SCHMC,JALGAON. BOILS

2. DEFINITION A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. A boil is a common ,painful infection of a hair follicle and the surrounding skin. This is also called furuncle. It is a hair follicle infection caused by Staphylococus aureus or secondary infection of a sebaceous cyst.

3. Commonest sites: Neck Armpits Shoulders Buttocks. Face

4. PRECIPITATING FACTORS: Diabetes. Problems with the immune system Poor nutrition. Poor hygiene Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin Scratching.

5. Sign and symptoms: A boil starts as a hard, red, painful lump usually about half an inch in size. Over the next few days, the lump becomes softer, larger, and more painful. Soon a pocket of pus forms on the top of the boil. These are the signs of a severe infection: The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful, warm, and swollen. Skin overlying the boil also undergoes necrosis. Hence, boil is included under acute infective gangrene.

6. More boils may appear around the original one. A fever may develop. Lymph nodes may become swollen. Furuncle of the external auditory meatus is a very painful condition because of the rich nerve supply of the skin.

7. COMPLICATION: Necrosis of skin Septicaemia Payaemic abscess Cavernous sinus thrombosis.

8. Treatment : Apply warm compresses and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within 10 days of its appearance. You can make a warm compress by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture. When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone and clean with rubbing alcohol. Apply a medicated ointment (topical antibiotic) and a bandage. Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals.

9. Do not pop the boil with a needle. This could make the infection worse. Incision and drainage with excision of slough. Antibiotic cloxacillin is given. Diabetes, if present, is treated.

10. HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT: Belladonna : The boil is in the early stage and the skin is red, hot, throbbing and very tender with violent stabbing pains. Hepar Sulph: This remedy helps bring the boil to a head and aid discharging.  The boil is very painful, inflamed, red around the edge and feels very sensitive even to the slightest touch. The pain feels sharp or prickling.  Useful when pus is developing and will help with suppuration.

11. Silica: For hard lump boils that are slow to develop, slow to come to a head, or slow to heal and disperse. Silica can help ripen the boil and assist expulsion of its contents. Arsenicum: Large painful boils with burning pains, better for warm applications.  The person experiences a lot of anxiety and worry about the condition.

12. Preventing Boils: Help prevent boils by following these guidelines: Carefully wash clothes, bedding, and towels of a family member who is infected with boils. Clean and treat minor skin wounds. Practice good personal hygiene. Stay as healthy as possible.