Furuncle

Alternative names:

boils; hair follicle infection; infection - hair follicle

Treatment:

Boils may heal spontaneously after an initial period of itching and mild pain. More often, they progress to pustules that increase in discomfort as pus collects. They finally burst, drain, and then heal spontaneously.

Boils (furuncles) usually must drain before they will heal. This most often occurs in less than 2 weeks. Boils that persist longer than 2 weeks, recur, are located on the spine or the middle of the face, or that are accompanied by fever or other symptoms require treatment by a health care provider because of the risk of complications from the spread of infection.

Warm moist compresses encourage furuncles to drain, which speeds healing. Gently soak the area with a warm, moist cloth several times each day. Deep or large lesions may need to be drained surgically by the health care provider. Never squeeze a boil or attempt to lance it at home because this can spread the infection and make it worse.

Meticulous hygiene is vital to prevent the spread of infection. Draining lesions should be cleaned frequently. The hands should be washed thoroughly after touching a boil. Do not re-use or share washcloths or towels. Clothing, washcloths, towels, and sheets or other items that contact infected areas should be washed in very hot (preferably boiling) water. Dressings should be changed frequently and discarded in a manner that contains the drainage, such as by placing them in a bag that can be closed tightly before discarding.

Antibacterial soaps, topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) antibiotics are of little benefit once furuncle has formed. Systemic antibiotics may help to control infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected. Some people may experience many repeated episodes.

Complications:

• spread of infection through the circulation to other parts of the body or skin surfaces
• abscess formation
• sepsis (general internal infection)
• abscess of kidneys or other internal organs
• osteomyelitis
• endocarditis
• brain infection
• brain abscess
• spinal cord infection
• spinal cord abscess
• permanent scarring of the skin

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if furuncles (boils) develop and do not heal with home treatment within 1 week.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if furuncles recur or are located on the face or spine.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if boils are accompanied by fever, red streaks extending from the boil, large fluid collections around the boil, or other symptoms.