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Boils

Author:NHS.uk
Written on:2020-09-09
Go to Health A-Z:Click A-Z


Boils

  • Boils


    • A boil is a hard and painful lump that fills with pus. Most boils go away on their own. See a GP if you keep getting them.




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    There are things you can do to treat boils yourself and stop them coming back.

      Do



    • soak a flannel in warm water and hold it against the boil for 10 minutes 4 times a day


    • clean the area around the boil with antibacterial soap if pus comes out


    • cover the area with a dressing or gauze until it heals


    • bathe or shower every day and wash your hands regularly


    • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain


    • wash your towels and bedding at least once a week at a high temperature


    • try to lose weight if you are very overweight and have boils between folds of your skin




      Don't



    • do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil


    • do not share your towel with other people


    • do not go to a swimming pool or gym until the boil has gone –? you could pass the infection on to others




    See a GP if:


    • you have a boil on your face

    • you have a boil and a long-term condition such as diabetes

    • the skin around your boil feels hot and painful

    • youve had a boil for 2 weeks and the things youve tried are not helping

    • you keep getting boils

    • you have a group of boils (carbuncle)

    • you have a boil and you feel hot and shivery



    Treatment for boils

    A GP can check if you need treatment.


    You may need:


    • a small procedure to drain the boil to get rid of the pus

    • antibiotics

    Causes of boils

    You may be more likely to get boils if you have a long-term condition such as diabetes or HIV.



    You may also be more likely to get boils if:


    • you have close contact with someone else who has boils

    • you cut your skin while shaving


    Carbuncles are less common and mostly affect middle-aged men.




    NHS.uk


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