Have you suddenly developed a small, red, painful lump on your skin? Over the course of a day or two, it gradually grew larger and felt hot to the touch? It may even feel hard and pus-filled. This is something that many people have experienced. Although we usually call these "boils," there are special names for them in medical terms. So today, let's talk about these painful lumps, namely Boils and Carbuncles. Don't worry, once you are aware of this, it is very easy to deal with this condition.
What are boils and carbuncles?
Simply put, a boil is a pus-filled lump that forms on your skin. Some people also call it a pimple. It starts out as a red bump. But it quickly grows and starts to fill with pus.
A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form together. It is larger than a regular boil, more painful, and goes a little deeper under the skin.
Most often, the main cause of these boils is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus . We call this a "staph" infection for short. These boils form when this bacteria infects a hair follicle in our skin, which is a small opening that opens into a hair or body hair.
Although these tumors can develop anywhere on the body, they are most commonly seen on:
- On the face
- On the neck
- In the armpits
- In the buttocks area
- Thighs
Small boils can often be treated with simple home remedies, such as applying heat. However, larger boils definitely require medical attention.
What exactly are the symptoms of this tumor?
A boil usually grows slowly over a day or two. At first, you may feel a slight pain in one area of your skin, and maybe a slight itching. Then the red lump appears. These symptoms change over time.
You can easily understand this from the table below.
| Characteristic | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| Increased pain | The area where the tumor develops is very sensitive. It can be so painful that you can't even touch it. You feel hot when you touch the area. |
| Pus filling | The cyst may feel a little soft or hard to the touch because it is filled with pus. |
| Growing bigger | It can start out as small as a pencil eraser, but it can grow to be as big as a golf ball. |
| A yellow/white " head " appears. | Like a pimple, a yellow or white bump filled with pus emerges from the center of the cyst. The skin around it becomes red and shiny. |
| Pus or crusting | As the body fights the infection, the abscess may ooze pus. |
| Spread to other places | The bacteria that caused the boil can spread to other parts of the body, causing new boils to form. You can also infect someone else. |
Are the symptoms of carbuncles different?
Yes, it's a little different. Since a carbuncle is a cluster of boils, in addition to all of the symptoms mentioned above, you may also experience these symptoms:
- Fever
- Feeling cold (chills)
- Extreme fatigue and a feeling of weakness
If these symptoms are present, it means that the infection is somewhat serious.
Why do we get tumors like this? Who is at higher risk?
As we discussed earlier, the main cause is bacteria. This bacteria enters the body through a small cut, scratch, or hair follicle in your skin. Then our body's defense system, the immune system , is activated. It sends white blood cells to the area to fight the infection. These white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria combine to form "pus."
A carbuncle occurs when more than one hair follicle becomes infected at the same time. It is more serious than a regular boil because the infection goes deeper under the skin.
Although anyone can develop a tumor, some people are at higher risk.
- People who have close contact with someone who has a staph infection (for example, sharing towels, bedding)
- For people with excess body weight (Obesity).
- For people with other skin conditions like eczema.
- For those with a weak immune system. Immunity can be weakened due to conditions like diabetes, cancer, or certain medications. At times like these, it is difficult for the body to fight infections.
Can this tumor be treated at home?
This is the most important thing. There are things you can do, and things you shouldn't do .
Extremely important: Never try to squeeze a boil or prick it with a sharp object like a needle or a knife! Doing so increases the risk of the infection going deeper into the skin, spreading to other parts of the body, and even entering the bloodstream.
Most of the time, small boils will heal on their own within a few days, burst, and drain the pus. However, sometimes a doctor may need to make a small incision and drain the pus. The boil will heal only after the pus has completely drained. If the infection is severe, your doctor may give you antibiotics to take.
Here are some things you can do at home:
- Apply a warm, damp cloth: Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring out the water, and apply it to the boil for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This heat will increase blood flow to the boil, helping it to drain faster. It will also reduce pain. Remember to use a new, clean cloth each time.
- Keep it clean: If the boil is oozing pus, wash the area thoroughly with lukewarm water and soap, and cover it with a clean bandage.
| When you should definitely see a doctor | |
|---|---|
| If the tumor is accompanied by fever | This may mean that the infection has begun to spread throughout the body. |
| If the tumor is very large or the pain is unbearable | It may be necessary to have the pus drained by a doctor. |
| If the tumor is on the face or back | The risk of complications from tumors in these locations is higher. |
| If there is a red line spreading around the tumor | This could be a sign of the infection spreading to the surrounding skin (cellulitis). |
| If the tumors continue to grow | This could be due to another underlying health problem or treatment-resistant bacteria (MRSA). |
| If you have diabetes or a disease that lowers your immune system | These people are more likely to develop serious infections, so it's wise to see a doctor even if you have a small lump. |
Are there any serious complications that can occur due to these tumors?
Most of the time, that is, 99% of the time, boils heal within two to three weeks. So there is nothing to worry about. Sometimes, if a doctor drains the pus, a small scar may remain. Large carbuncles can also heal, but they can still leave scars.
However, very rarely, especially in people with weakened immune systems, this infection can become serious. If the boils continue to form, it may be a sign of a bacterial infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) , which is difficult to control with common antibiotics.
In rare cases, bacteria in a cyst:
- Can enter the bloodstream: This can cause a serious, life-threatening condition called sepsis .
- It can travel to the brain: This can cause dangerous conditions like meningitis .
- The surrounding skin and tissues can become infected: we call this condition cellulitis .
- It can spread to the spine, bones, heart, and other organs, causing serious infections.
Even though these things happen very rarely, this is why it's not a good idea to take a tumor lightly.
How can I prevent these types of tumors from forming?
Even with the best hygiene, a boil can sometimes develop. However, there are a few things we can do to reduce the risk.
- Avoid close contact with someone who has an infection. Do not share towels, clothing, or bedding with someone who has a staph infection or boil.
- Wash your hands often, especially if you use an antiseptic soap or gel.
- Wash your body with soap every day.
- Take care of personal hygiene. Do not share things like towels and razors with others.
If you have a boil, how can you prevent it from spreading to others?
If you currently have a boil, be sure to do these things to stop spreading it to your family and others.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly.
- Keep the towels, clothes, and bedding you use separately and wash them separately.
- If you touch the cyst, always wash your hands with an antiseptic soap.
- Do not squeeze or scratch the cyst.
- Reduce the chance of the tumor coming into contact with someone else's skin.
- Carefully remove the dressings and bandages from the wound, place them in a sealed bag, and throw them in the trash.
By following these things, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Take-Home Message
- Boils and carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps that form around hair follicles caused by bacteria.
- Never squeeze, crush, or prick these cysts with a needle. Doing so can spread the infection.
- For small boils, applying warm, damp cloths can reduce pain and help them heal faster.
- If you have a fever, unbearable pain, the tumor is on your face or back, or you have a medical condition like diabetes, see a doctor without delay.
- Good personal hygiene and frequent hand washing can help prevent the risk of developing these cysts and their spread.
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