The Facts About the Skin Condition of Boils

Boils must be pretty painful considering they are one of the plagues mentioned in the bible. I had really never heard of anyone I was close with getting boils, and I have yet to see one up close and personal. I was curious to see what they were. Boils are skin infections that start in the hair follicle or the oil gland. These are lumps that are similar to zits only usually bigger. The most common places people can get boils on are the face armpits, neck, buttocks, and the shoulder. Boils can be single on the body or form in groups.

Boils usually start when a germ enters the body through cracks and nicks in the skin that enter the oil glands. Boils are more common in people with poor hygiene, diabetes, immune system troubles, failure to eat right, and harmful chemicals that have been exposed to the skin. A boil starts as a hard puss filled lump less than one inch in size. After a few days the lump then becomes bigger, softer, and much more painful. Puss that forms on top of the boil is a sign that the boil has become severely infected. Skin around the boil will become very sensitive and eventually infected, and a fever could develop. And as with many conditions of the skin swollen lymph nodes can occur. See a doctor immediately if you develop a fever. Other boils appearing and lack of drainage from the area are also signs that you should see a doctor. Emergency visits usually aren't necessary as boils aren't a severe or fatal condition. In some cases a very high fever along with chills should be treated as an emergency. Allow boils 4-7 days to leave your skin before worrying too much, this is the average infection time.