WHY DO I GET BOILS?

 

 BOILS are infected hair follicles. It can be observed in any part of the body, even on your scalp.  These are caused by bacterial infections in hair follicles.

 They are the result of bacterial infection and inflammation. They can appear on any part of the body and especially in the parts which are more prone to bacterial infection such as the buttocks, thighs, neck, roots of eyelashes, and face

 In the area of infection, we may feel inflammation due to which the area becomes pink or red. It may appear similar to a pimple. But if the infection continues or becomes worse. The boil area gets in plum and hard. This area becomes filled with pus and this pus causes pressure due to which pain is felt.

 This is a simple immune reaction against the infection. But this causes pain and a feeling of burning. The reaction is worse in immunocompromised people, people with diabetes or eczema. In the worst situation may cause fever and chills.

 Bacteria that cause boils or furuncles are Staphylococcus aureus. So boils are also called Staph infection This bacterium is a normal resident of our skin. Infection occurs when we have dry skin, breaks in skin or rashes, or any scratch wound. This helps the bacteria to enter the skin and reach the root of the hair follicle. Extremely dry itchy skin increases the staph infection.

 A person may get the infection from a fellow person who has already the staph infection. He may get the infection if he uses articles of the infected person. The boils treat themselves within a set frame of the period.

The development of furuncles or boils

Bacteria present on the skin enter into the subcutaneous region.

It multiplies there.

Macrophages identify these bacteria.

Cytokines are secreted by macrophages.

These cytokines start inflammation reactions.

Lymphocytes are recruited.

Adipose tissue multiplies.

Neutrophils cleanse the bacteria.

A. Start of infection

B.Adipogenesis

C. Cleansing the bacteria

TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION OF BOILS OR FURUNCLES

 Physical drainage of pus or using processes that facilitate fast drainage is the most important treatment in boils. Applying warm pads, using painkillers to relieve the pain, is also helpful in boil treatment as it helps in boil drainage. The use of antibacterial soap on the area of infection is advised to stop staph infection in nearby areas.

 Only in case of severe infection, you may need antibiotics with the advice of your doctor. If the condition worsens with time you may get repeated infection of the bacteria.

People may develop sepsis which is the worst condition where infection spread to their bloodstream and severe immunological reaction result in cytokines storm that may result in organ dysfunction, this condition is called bacterial sepsis.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria may develop MRSA. This is the infection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These infections are difficult to treat.

The most important treatment for the person who gets frequent boils is

 to keep your skin clean,

 bath regularly,

 use antibacterial soap,

 keep your articles separate from other persons such as bed-sheet, towel t-shirts, and clothing. Wash your clothes and dry them on Sun.

 Keep your skin clean and prevent over-drying of the skin use body oils or body lotions so that skin may not become over dry or itchy.

  Avoid contact with infected people.

Once the pus has been drained, don’t let the wound open.

Keep the area clean.

Don’t let the situation worsen which may lead to bacterial sepsis.

See your doctor before the worse situation arise.