What causes boils?

Question

Last Nov. I got a boil on the back of my leg. I tried popping it once, which was NOT a good thing, so I had to keep it bandaged up. After a couple of months it faded away. I think I have another one at my stomach now. It's this mysterious dark red spot that is the size of a good-sized boil but I have seen no puss in the head of this "mysterious red thing". It's about an inch in diameter, I guess. There are some white circles in it, like a spider bite. I will not see a doctor, it's a phobia of mine. So what causes boils? And do you guys know any natural cures that can make this go away quickly? Thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

As far as I know, boils are a form of staph infection on the skin that is caused when staph bacteria (present all around us and dangerous when our skin is compromised by a wound of some sort). The bacteria is notoriously found in dirt. I have had them and as painful as they are, and as other-sick as they can make you (nauseous, fever, run down) I personally find them kind of fun to mess with. God, if only I had gone into dermatology!

They say you shouldn't pop these things, and that is true when you are at your worst feeling, because mashing it, if it doesn't come out, can cause poisons to leak into surrounding tissue and contaminate your bloodstream making you sicker all over.

But you can pop them rather safely if it is a rather isolated problem. First soak in very warm epsom salt water, or apply every couple minutes with a warm compress. Then sterilize the area as best you can, and a pin to open the skin. Start mushing, you can pull the skin apart to create some tension on the boil, where it has nowhere to go but out, and there is the zit popping method, just squeeze it together. It should ooze out fairly easily. If you only get a creamy or liquidy substance, you haven't gotten the core which is solid, boogery looking and usually bright green. After this comes out, you should feel an immediate sense of relief from the pain, even if the area is tender from messing with it. After all, the poison that has been irritating the skin is finally out and the healing process can begin. After you work on the boil, especially if you don't get it all out, flush the area with hydrogen peroxide to keep the area as clean as possible, and if you finish, to clean up any surrounding tissue. Then apply neosporin and bandage well, change dressing every few hours.

You really should see a doc to take care of this, if no other reason, they can give you oral antibiotics to keep the boil from making you sick all over, and to start killing the infection at the site as well, from the inside out. If you can't or won't see a doc you should at least be trying to boost your immunity with things like garlic (natural antibiotic) and vitamin C. You can also prick vitamin E caps or use aloe right on the wound to help prevent scarring.

Answer 2

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After 4-7 days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.

Answer 3

A boil is a pocket of pus in your skin. The staphylococcus bacteria are usually responsible for the creation of boils. Boils may be single or multiple and are commonly found on your face, neck, armpits, breasts, groin and buttocks. Boils that develop deep within your skin are called carbuncles. People who get recurrent boils may have diabetes mellitus or other conditions which reduce your body's resistance to general infection.

Answer 4

This sounds a lot like what my Dad had on his neck. It lasted about 3 months without "doing" anything, then turned incredibly gross incredibly fast. By the end of about 24 hours, it had gone from "doing" nothing to becoming a blood infection (He started getting red streaks going away from what I call the alien bubble). I suggest getting yourself to a clinic ASAP before it gets bad!

I have a phobia of doctors too, but take a couple shots of the nearest alcohol to sooth your soul and get thee to a doc.

Answer 5

A "boil" is a very non-specific term and it could be million things. Common causes of "boils" are allergic reactions, bacterial infection (Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Pyogenes usually), insect bites (which can seed a bacterial infection if the toxin itself doesn't cause a reaction), HPV (human papilloma virus - which actually causes a wart), and many other things.

Answer 6

Many boils are caused by an ingrown hair, others are from oil clogging the pores. Similar to cysts.. They can be treated with heat application (this is the most common way)
if it doesnt go away, you should see a dermatologist

Answer 7

I get them all the time. They are called cysts and they get infected. I've been to doctors and nobody has been able to tell me what causes them. All I know is they normally grow where there's hair. You can have them removed, BUT they will probably come back.

I get them under each arm and sometimes my crouch. It gets really bad in the summer because sweating exacerbates the situation.

Answer 8

Go on the internet and go to google and then look up boils or look up what causes boils becuz my grandma has one on her neck and i looked it up on the internet and it told me alot of stuff so if you want you can take my advice..... GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

Uh...I would try to get over your phobia. You should have it looked at to make sure no infection.

Answer 10

not sure what causes them but you can get something called boil ease and it helps a lot. sorry i couldent help.