Question
Hi Nurse Red
What causes boils? I keep getting boils and I have no idea what is causing them. Also, have any suggestions on how to pop them? Besides going to the dr. that is. Once they do pop and it drains it feels SO much better, but getting it to break is a nightmare! Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Smuckers
Answer
There can be a whole host of reasons for the boils. Where do they seem to occur most?
As for getting them to pop, I don't recommend it because of the chance of infection. But most will do it anyway. So here's some hints.
Apply warm (as hot as you can stand) compresses to the area several times a day until it comes to a head. You can use the white of an egg to help bring it to a head as well. Using just the white, apply it to the area and let it dry. It will draw the area up. Repeat until it comes to a head.
If you must pop it. PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS before and after. Apply some Neosporin or Bacitracin and a bandaid to protect the opening in your skin. It wouldn't hurt to cleanse the area with rubbing alcohol first either.
Keeping you safe, healthy and on the road.
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Answer
I keep getting them on the underside of my breast and on my panty line or on my inner thigh.. three areas that seem to sweat alot. Once they pop, I can never seem to get the entire boil to come out, no matter what I use. If you have any more info on this matter, I would love to hear about it.... Thanks again Nurse Red
Smuckers
Answer
Smuckers,
Read this topic on Staphylococcus. I was in a similar situation, and saw a Dermatologist who prescribed me "Bactroban Ointment" for it. The problem, which had lasted almost 6 months went away in a matter of days. I'm not saying that this would help you or that you might have any kind of condition because I'm not a doctor, I'm just telling of my experience. Your best bet is to see a dermatologist, because only a doctor could determine what you have, and prescribe any type of medication. The boils I had were all over my legs, and 2 years later there is still very slight scarring from them. When the problems started, I have been giving my clothes a full second water only wash cycle when putting them through the wash in order to get all of the detergent out. Since then, I haven't had any problems.
Answer
Many years ago I got a VERY big boil on my butt where I carried and sat all day on my wallet in my back pocket jeans. The boils was the size of a dime and very deep. I used a razer blade over a period of a week before I got it to pop. Stopped carrying and sitting on the wallet, no more problems like that one since. If your sitting for long periods of time, like in a truck bouncing up and down, boils will form in areas were there are high spots in your clothing, or a seat cover, or chaffing, ( a womans bra for example), accessories you may be sitting "on", or chaffing against you, etc. Even sitting on a mens hankercheif for long periods of time will cause a boil to develop. try to isolate or eliminate anything that is rubbing, chaffing, or your bouncing up and down "on". I still get them from time to time, about one a year, they will start out as a deep pimple and get red, bigger and deeper. I take care of them early now and don't let them go like I did with the one years ago, learned my lesson on that one. If doing all of the above does not stop it, there may be something else. I sweat too but don't have any problems from that.
PS. Please understand, I take care of many things on my own without a Doctor, that's just me. I don't recommend not seeing a Doctor. I don't like Doctor's, it's personal choice for me.
[This message was edited by dak1 on September 22, 2001 at 02:38.]
[This message was edited by dak1 on September 22, 2001 at 02:40.]
Answer
But there is hope.....
Smuckers, you may have an allergy to "fabricated" fabrics....as I am.I went to all cotton everything that touches my skin for long periods of time..or is tight.I also went to bras WITHOUT bones...that really helped. Though I've never had boils.when I worked in the wood mills,I found that this stuff called ickamethol ointment (I wouldn't trust my spelling on this) works wonders.Its a "drawing agent" and I put it on the spot that needed to come to a head.(I got alot of splinters), then I taped a plastic bottle cap over it....and within a day, it was ready to open. So I hope this helps....and good luck.
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