Boils is a infectious disease

1. BOILS
ARUN KUMAR
BPT 6TH SEMESTER

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.

3. COMMON 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.
• 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.

6. COMPLICATION
• Necrosis of skin
• Septicaemia
• Payaemic abscess
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis

7. 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.

8. 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.