Boil
You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.
| Boil Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | L02. |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 680.9 |
| DiseasesDB | 29434 |
| MeSH | D005667 |
|
WikiDoc Resources for Boil | |
|
Articles | |
|---|---|
|
Media | |
|
Evidence Based Medicine | |
|
Clinical Trials | |
|
Ongoing Trials on Boil at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Boil at Google
| |
|
Guidelines / Policies / Govt | |
|
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Boil
| |
|
Books | |
|
News | |
|
Commentary | |
|
Definitions | |
|
Patient Resources / Community | |
|
Directions to Hospitals Treating Boil Risk calculators and risk factors for Boil
| |
|
Healthcare Provider Resources | |
|
Continuing Medical Education (CME) | |
|
International | |
|
| |
|
Businness | |
|
Experimental / Informatics | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-525-6884
Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
Boil or furuncle is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles, thus resulting in the localized accumulation of pus and dead tissue. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles. In severe cases, boils may develop to form abscesses. In general:
- Furuncle
- tender abscess arising in hair follicle with extension into deep dermis
- almost invariably due to S. aureus infection
- occurs in areas subject to friction and perspiration (neck, face, buttocks)
- Carbuncle
- deeper, interconnecting abscesses arising in contiguous hair follicles
- commonly occurs at nape of neck and on back, thighs
- a potential complication of furunculosis
Risk Factors
- Chronic S. aureus carrier state (nares, axillae, perineum)
- Obesity
- Corticosteroid Rx
- Diabetes
- Defects in neutrophil function – uncommon
Symptoms
The symptoms of boils are red, pus-filled lumps that are tender, warm, and/or painful. A yellow or white point at the center of the lump can be seen when the boil is ready to drain or discharge pus. In a severe infection, multiple boils may develop and the patient may experience fever and swollen lymph nodes. A recurring boil is called chronic furunculosis.
In some people, itching may develop before the lumps begin to develop. Boils are most often found on the back, underarms, shoulders, face, lip, eyes, nose, thighs and buttocks, but may be found elsewhere. Boils on the ear tend to be more painful, and can create shooting pain in the entire area when touched.
Sometimes boils will emit an unpleasant smell, particularly when drained or when discharge is present, due to the presence of bacteria in the discharge.
Causes
Boils are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis, a strain of bacterium that normally lives on the skin surface. It is thought that a tiny cut of the skin allows this bacterium to enter the follicles and cause an infection. This can happen during bathing or while using a razor.
People with immune system disorders, diabetes, poor hygiene or malnutrition (Vitamin A or E deficiency) are particularly susceptible to getting boils; however, they also occur in healthy, hygienic individuals, due to over scratching a particular area of the skin.
Hidradenitis suppurativa causes frequent boils and boils in the armpits can sometimes be caused by anti-perspirant deodorants.
The development of boils throughout the body is also a symptom of smallpox.
Boils can also be caused by not washing an area of the body, particularly the face, where two or more areas of skin cleft together, such as where the nose meets the cheek or where the ear meets the head. Boils formed in this manner often have a visible core of dirt that emerges when drained.
Treatments
Most boils run their course within 4 to 10 days. For most people, self-care by applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water can help alleviate the pain and hasten draining of the pus (colloquially referred to as "bringing the boil to a head"). Once the boil drains, the area should be washed with antibacterial soap and bandaged well.
For recurring cases, sufferers may benefit from diet supplements of Vitamin A and E.
In serious cases, prescription oral antibiotics such as dicloxacillin (Dynapen) or cephalexin (Keflex), or topical antibiotics, are commonly used. For patients allergic to penicillin-based drugs, erythromycin (E-base, Erycin) may also be used.
However, some boils are caused by a super bug known as Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or CA-MRSA. Bactrim or other sulfa drugs must be prescribed relatively soon after boil has started to form. MRSA tends to increase the speed of growth of the infection.
Magnesium sulfate paste applied to the affected area can prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce boils by absorbing pus and drying up the lesion.
Acute Pharmacotherapies
- If fever, carbuncles, recurrences -> systemic abx vs. S. aureus
- Dicloxacillin 500 mg po q6h x 10-14 days
- Alternatives:
- cephalexin 250 mg qid
- clindamycin 150 mg qid
- Bactrim
- Abx
- Mupirocin 2% ointment to anterior nares bid x 5 days
- Rifampin 600 mg po qd x 10 days
- Eliminates nasal carriage for up to 3 months
- Consider in patients who have failed other preventive measures
- Rx acute recurrence simultaneously w/dicloxacillin or alternative x 10d
- Clindamycin 150 mg po qd x 3 months (suppressive regimen)
- Shown in one study to decrease frequency of recurrence
Indications for Surgery
- If persistent despite Rx -> incision and drainage
Prognosis
For most cases, there are no serious complications and a full recovery is expected.
See also
External links
- InteliHealth - Boils and Carbuncles
- Health In Plain English - Boil or Furuncle
- eMedicine Health - Boils Overview
- MedicineNet.com - Boils
- Cure Boils naturally with Turmeric powder Home remedy
- DermAtlas
WikiDoc Research Resources for Boil | |
|---|---|
| Articles on Boil | Most recent articles on Boil • Most cited articles on Boil • Review articles on Boil • Articles on Boil in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Boil | Powerpoint slides on Boil • Images of Boil • Photos of Boil • Podcasts & MP3s on Boil • Videos on Boil |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Boil | Cochrane Collaboration on Boil • Bandolier on Boil • TRIP on Boil |
| Cost Effectiveness of Boil | Cost Effectiveness of Boil |
| Clinical Trials Involving Boil | Ongoing Trials on Boil at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Boil • Clinical Trials on Boil at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Boil | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Boil • NICE Guidance on Boil • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Boil • CDC on Boil |
| Textbook Information on Boil | Books and Textbook Information on Boil |
| Pharmacology Resources on Boil | Dosing of Boil • Drug interactions with Boil • Side effects of Boil • Allergic reactions to Boil • Overdose information on Boil • Carcinogenicity information on Boil • Boil in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Boil • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Boil | Genetics of Boil • Pharmacogenomics of Boil • Proteomics of Boil |
| Newstories on Boil | Boil in the news • Be alerted to news on Boil • News trends on Boil |
| Commentary on Boil | Blogs on Boil |
| Patient Resources on Boil | Patient resources on Boil • Discussion groups on Boil • Patient Handouts on Boil • Directions to Hospitals Treating Boil • Risk calculators and risk factors for Boil |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Boil | Symptoms of Boil • Causes & Risk Factors for Boil • Diagnostic studies for Boil • Treatment of Boil |
| Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Boil | CME Programs on Boil |
| International Resources on Boil | Boil en Espanol • Boil en Francais |
| Business Resources on Boil | Boil in the Marketplace • Patents on Boil |
| Informatics Resources on Boil | List of terms related to Boil |
da:Furunkel de:Furunkel et:Furunkul fr:Furoncle he:פורונקל lt:Šunvotė nl:Steenpuist ja:せつsimple:Boil fi:Furunkuloosi sv:Furunkel
| ||||
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
