Most boils respond well to a regimen of very warm compresses and careful cleansing procedures. Sometimes, however, boils fail to drain properly, or they become very painful and inflamed. In such cases, a visit to the doctor to have the area drained usually is necessary, and a 10-to-14-day cycle of oral antibiotics may be prescribed.

Symptoms

• Red, painful, pus-filled abscess beneath the skin's surface
• Minor swelling around boil area
• Appearance of a pimple-like head or multiple heads in center of swollen area(s) that sometimes erupt and drain fluid, pus, or both.

Consult Your Doctor If:

• You have a boil on or near your lip, nose, armpit, groin, breast, or between buttocks.
• A boil is very large or causes significant inflammation of surrounding areas.
• You have boils accompanied by a fever.

Home Care Ideas:

• At the first sign of a boil, apply very warm, wet compresses to the area for 20 minutes, three to four times a day for a week or until the boil comes to a head and breaks.

• Sit in a hot bath for 20 minutes daily until boil erupts.

• After a boil erupts, clean the area and apply an antibacterial cream (e.g., Neosporin or Bacitracin).

• Cover erupted or draining boils with a bandage to keep fluid from spreading infection. Change bandage three or four times a day.

• Do not pinch or squeeze boils that are not fully drained. You may cause a deeper infection.

• Keep boil area or boil-prone areas very clean; wipe skin with a clean cotton ball soaked in alcohol or Betadine antiseptic solution to keep infection from spreading.

• For boils on the face: Before shaving, wash your face with an antibacterial soap. After shaving, apply alcohol to affected areas. Immerse razors in alcohol between shaves.

• When you have a boil, wash towels, washcloths, bed linens, and clothing daily in hot water.