How to treat boils on the face

One morning you wake up, look in the mirror and notice that you cursed some wicked witch - we boil on his face. Could it be worse? How to treat boils on his face, so that not only save your skin from scars, but also to protect your family from contracting the infection.

The scientific name of the boil and boil likely it comes from folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. So when you see the red bumps on the skin after shaving, you should immediately pay attention to them. The best way to prevent infections of the hair follicle infection - is to impose salicylic acid, after you remove the hairs and will do so for a few more days.

Size boils on the face varies greatly; some of them grow to the size of a golf ball, although this happens very rarely. Inside the boil slowly accumulates yellowish-white pus, which on top of it shines through the thin skin. No matter how great the temptation to squeeze a boil on your face, do not fall for it - it can lead to serious complications, which are not decorate your appearance.

In the end, it boils, as a rule, toiling, pus flows, and the skin begins to heal. The whole process of boil usually takes from two days to three weeks. Most boils leaves behind scars - except when boils reach very large sizes.

Causes

In most cases, the cause of boils is Staphylococcus aureus, which infects one or more hair follicles. Staphylococci normally live on the human skin, the mucous membrane of the nose and throat.

Typically, the skin provides protection from bacteria. However, in some cases, staphylococci penetrate through cuts or scratches. When bacteria infect the skin, the immune system responds by sending to the site of infection white blood cells to destroy pathogens. After some time in the boil the mixture accumulated dead white blood cells and bacteria - that is, the pus.

Risk factors for the development of boils:

• Male sex (especially teenagers) - perhaps the reason that boils on the face most often occur in male adolescents, it is that due to hormonal changes in the skin is more oily, and create a favorable environment for bacteria;
• Close contact with a person who has the boils;
• Contact sports, such as various kinds of struggle;
• Accommodation in a relatively tight space with lots of people and / or poor hygiene;
• It has a history of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and mange Scabies - when overwhelmed by ticks ;
• Obesity (body mass index of 30 or more).

If the infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, continue to spread under the skin surface, can form a cluster of boils, resulting in bacteremia appears. This is especially true in people whose immune system is weakened by diabetes, HIV, taking corticosteroids (especially - with the duration of treatment), poor nutrition. Also carbuncles often develops in people with heart failure Heart failure - when the heart is unable to cope with the work , Severe psoriasis and those who take drugs.

What to do

• Do not squeeze a boil. It will only lead to further infection deeper into the skin, and then another boil can jump in any location other than the fact that you already have.
• Even if you really do not want to leave the house, you definitely need to buy an English bitter salt. Fill the sink with hot water to half and add the salt. Lower to a piece of cloth and make sure that it is well soaked. Then put in the English salt compress t apply to boils for a few minutes, but do not press down too. Do this three times a day until the boil is ripe. This may take a few days or a week, but the most important - is to get the infection to come out. After compression, you can apply a bandage or gauze bandage, securing it with tape. You will not be able to know when a boil will mature and start to follow, so you better be on your guard.
• When the boil is ripe, the pus can come out, and this time you will be most infectious. Do not forget to moisten the boil and closed his bandage until it is completely drained. In this, too, can take one or more days, depending on the size of the boil. For example, a boil on a waist size of a golf ball can mature and dribble within ten days, and if it boils on the face, they are usually smaller.
• To prevent other family members pick up an infection from you, try not to use common soap, towels, washcloths, clothes or pillowcases. When your boil comes out, change the pillow every night and make sure that you use a separate towel. You can also wash the face antimicrobial or antibacterial cleanser in the place where you have a boil. This prevents further spread of infection, and its use once a week help prevent boils in the future.

When to see a doctor

In these cases it is advisable to consult a doctor:

• The boil on the face of moderate or large size seems soft and porous to the touch (although many experts recommend to seek medical help at occurrence of boils on the face of any size - they can cause particularly severe complications, not to mention the significant psychological discomfort);
• The face appeared cluster of boils - carbuncle;
• The appearance of boils accompanied by additional symptoms such as fever and / or malaise;
• The presence of a secondary infection, such as cellulitis (meaning the infection deeper layers of the skin);
• Do you have a boil on her face, and there are diseases that weaken the immune system, such as type 2 diabetes, HIV or AIDS;
• Furuncle appeared during treatment, weakens the immune system The immune system - how it works? For example, chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair? ;
• Furuncle passes and virtually unchanged over the past two weeks.

Preparing for your visit

Although you first, will likely go to the family doctor or a general practitioner, you may be referred to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist) or infectious diseases.

what can you do

• Record all symptoms when they first appear and how long were the wounds and there were repeated again.
• Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, herbs and non-prescription medicines you are taking. Even better would be to take the bottles out of medicine and record dosage and instructions for use.

The most important thing that you need to ask your doctor if you have boils or carbuncles:

• What can cause the symptoms?
• Do I need to be tested to confirm the diagnosis?
• This phenomenon is temporary or chronic?
• What is the best method of influence?
• Is there any alternative medicines that are prescribed to you?
• Can we expect that this phenomenon will take place itself?
• What can be done to prevent the spread of infection?
• How to care for the skin during the treatment?

What to expect from the doctor

• Your doctor will probably ask you the following questions:
• It looked like a boil, when it first appeared?
• Painful you have any symptoms?
• Did you have boils or carbuncles before?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you have fever or chills?
• Do not you have an artificial heart valve, joints or other implants?

Surveys and Diagnostics

Doctors usually diagnose the boils and carbuncles, given the symptoms, signs and medical history, as well as after the inspection themselves abscesses.

If you have recurring infections, infections are not treatable by conventional methods or have a weakened immune system Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults Your doctor may conduct your drainage. During this analysis, the doctor uses a sterile swab How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions To gently remove a small portion of the pus from the boil or carbuncle. Taken sample is then examined in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria.

Lifestyle and treatments

For small boils following measures can help to cure the infection faster and prevent its spread:

• Apply a warm cloth or compress on the affected area of ​​the skin. Do this at least 10 minutes every few hours. If possible, first dab the cloth or compress in warm salt water. This will help to break Boils and quickly clean.
• Sami never squeeze or puncture the boil. Also, wash clothes, towels or tissues to compress, which related to the infected area of ​​the skin, especially if you have recurring boils or carbuncles.

Alternative Medicine

Tea tree oil, extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, which for centuries has been used as an antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-fungal agent. It is also used topically for the treatment of boils, although exactly scientifically proven effect.

Tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat   in some people, so stop using it and consult a doctor if you experience any problems.

Prevention

Although it is not always possible to prevent boils, especially if you have a reduced immune system, the following steps can help you avoid staph infection:

• As often as possible, wash your hands with mild soap. Or, use a disinfectant composition for alcohol-based hand. Thorough hand-washing - is your best protection against microbes.
• Thoroughly flush even small cuts, scratches. Well wash the wound with soap and water and then apply any antibiotic ointment Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future? .
• Keep the wound closed. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they are completely healed.
• Do not let us use their personal belongings. Avoid giving to someone to use your personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and light-athletics inventory. Staphylococcal infection can be transmitted through the objects as well as from individual to individual. If you have a cut or wound, wash your towels or linens with disinfectant and hot water and bleach, dry them in a hot dryer.