BOIL

What it a boil?
A boil is a skin infection that starts in the hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops.

CAUSES FOR A BOIL

• Most boils are caused by a germ that enters the body through tiny nicks.
• This germ can also travel down to the hair follicle

HEALTH PROBLEMS

• Exposure to harsh chemicals that could irritate the skin
• Diabetes
• Problems with the immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Poor hygiene

COMPLICATIONS

• The most common scarring, infection
• Abscess of the skin, spinal cord, brain, kidneys, or other organs.
• Infections may also get into the bloodstream, becoming life threating

SYMPTOMS

• A fever may devolop
• More boils may appear around the original
• Lymph nodes may become swollen
• The skin around the boil becomes infected
• It turns red, painful, warm and swollen

TREATMENTS

• Most doctors that aren't specialists treat boils with antibiotics
• Home treatments are easiest things such as hot soaks, and hot packs
• A way to stop boils from recurring is to gently wash it everyday with soap and water

FUN FACT