10 Boils Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
- 2. 'Boils.' Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
- 3. 'Symptoms of Sepsis.' Nhs.uk, 23 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
Commonly caused by a staph infection of the skin, a boil is a condition where a hair follicle becomes infected, leading to an oozing, swollen bump. Boils may be painful and embarrassing, commonly developing under arms and around the groin, but boils resolve with time in most cases.
A person may typically manage a small boil with over-the-counter and home remedies. In rare cases, a boil may be a sign of serious illness, or the infection may spread to other parts of the body. Read on to discover which symptoms are typical, which are signs of trouble and which require an ambulance.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
A Small, Painful Bump
Boils commonly begin with a small red bump on the skin. This spot may be tender to the touch and may have the appearance of an irritated pimple. The lump may also itch slightly as the infection begins to set in.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
A person may help soothe the bump by pressing a cloth soaked in warm water to the area for about 10 minutes a few times a day. Covering the area with a sterile dressing and washing hands before and after touching the boil may help keep the infection that caused the boil from spreading.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Swelling and Tenderness
Over the next few days of infection, the boil may grow to over 2 inches. It may press out from the skin in a small mound, or it may be lower and cover a larger area.
As the boil swells, it commonly becomes more uncomfortable. Putting pressure on the boil may cause pain, or the boil may ache when undisturbed.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770 Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help mitigate these symptoms.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Discoloration
As the pus from the infection begins to build, the top of the boil may turn yellow or white. This symptom may indicate the boil is getting closer to rupturing and beginning to heal.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
The discoloration is pus, but if it's below the skin, a person shouldn't attempt to squeeze or poke it. If the pain is too much, or the boil isn't rupturing on its own, it may be safely lanced by a doctor in a sterile environment.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Draining Pus
Over time, the yellow-white pus may form a tip on top of the boil. This eventually ruptures and leads to the boil oozing pus and sometimes clear fluids.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770 This also occurs after a doctor has lanced a boil.
Draining pus may be unsightly, but it's an important step toward healing. A person with a draining boil should keep the area around the boil clean using antibacterial soap and sterile dressings.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Hot, Painful Skin
While some boils may be managed at home, some symptoms indicate the infection is larger and should be looked at by a doctor. If the skin around the boil is showing signs of infection, medical attention is indicated.
The skin around the boil may be red and slightly swollen. If it becomes hot to the touch and painful, a person should see a doctor. They may need antibiotics or help to drain the infection.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Groups of Boils
Boils may appear alone or in small patches. This may happen due to a more widespread infection or from pus on the surface of the skin infecting nearby hair follicles. The boils may each appear distinctly or form into a larger connected area.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
If a person has more than one boil or the pain is severe, they should call a doctor. A cluster of boils may develop into a single connected area of infection called a carbuncle, which may cause nastier symptoms.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
General Unwellness
A person with a carbuncle or large boil may begin to feel generally ill. They may experience fatigue, slight nausea or aches. Draining pus may cause discomfort, and depending on the location of the boil, a person may want to avoid moving in ways that irritate cause irritation.
Regardless of the cause, these symptoms could mean the infection is becoming more severe. If a person with a boil starts to feel ill and lethargic , they should contact a doctor.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
Fever
If the infection from a boil is severe, a fever may occur. A high temperature indicates the immune system is trying to kill the bacteria, and it's an important sign to watch.
People with a boil and fever should seek medical advice. A boil serious enough to cause a fever may be deeper in the skin and more likely to cause other complications and scarring. Low fevers may be managed with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, while extremely high temperatures may require a hospital visit.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
Chills
If a person with a boil develops a fever, they may feel hot and shivery. Chills may be a symptom of a boil or a group of boils that are spreading infection. This infection may even be below the skin.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
A person with a boil should see their doctor if they're having fever, shivers, chills and swollen lymph nodes. If the chills are accompanied by confusion or cold, clammy skin, emergency medical care is necessary. These may be symptoms of sepsis.3‘Symptoms of Sepsis.’ Nhs.uk, 23 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
Recurrent Infections
A boil that has been lanced or drained naturally should heal over time. In some cases, however, a boil may keep reappearing. A person may get boils regularly across their body, or the same spot on their skin may become reinfected over and over.2‘Boils.’ Nhs.uk, 17 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/
This is more than just an annoyance. Recurring boils may be a symptom of a skin condition or a serious underlying infection. A person who continues to develop boils, even small ones, should discuss this with their doctor.1‘Boils and Carbuncles - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 11 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770
