Pharmacy Online: Health Encyclopedia

Pharmacyonline.com.my
By Auslab Laboratory Malaysia	\| Home \| About Us \| Shopping Cart \| Membership Registration \| Contact Us \|
Health Encyclopedia : A \| B \| C \| D \| F \| G \| H \| I \| P \| S \| V \|

How to Order
Website Usage Terms & Conditions
Shipping Policy
30 day Return Policy
Privacy Policy
Sample Request
Newsletter Subscription
Enquiry

BOIL

Furuncle (Boil) - what is it ?

Inflamed and pus-filled areas of skin that look like oversized pimples are called boils. Also known as furuncles, boils are painful and can develop anywhere on the body, but often in areas like armpits, breasts, buttocks, face, genitals, and neck.

SYMPTOMS

A red lump on the skin. This grows and becomes filled with pus.
Tenderness; pain, which is sometimes severe.
Fever, occasionally.

COMPLICATIONS

Spread of boils to the surrounding skin or other parts of the body.
Septicaemia (blood poisoning).

CAUSE

The infection of a hair follicle, usually by Staphylococcus bacteria. The pus that collects contains bacteria and is highly infectious

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Consult a doctor if the boil is on the face, shows signs of worsening, if there is fever, if it recurs in one or two days, or if small, has not healed after one or two weeks.
Do not burst a boil, as the infection may spread. Let it rupture on its own. Apply a hot, moist compress three times a day, for about 10 minutes at a time to help 'ripen' the boil
Take simple painkillers.
After the boil has burst, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, and cover it with dry dressing. Repeat the procedure daily until the area is completely healed.
Shower instead of bathing, as this decreases the chances of spreading the infection.
Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, as the bacteria from a boil can cause food poisoning.
The diabetic with a boil should consult a doctor immediately.

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST CAN DO FOR YOU

Lance (pierce) the boil with a sterile needle or scalpel, drain the pus, and cover the area with dry dressing.
Prescribe antibiotics.
Check your urine or blood for diabetes.

PREVENTION TIPS

Bath or shower at least once a day to keep your body clean.
Avoid scratching because, infection may set in if the skin breaks.
Apply antiseptic lotion such as dettol, acriflavine cream or antibiotic cream on broken skin to prevent infection.
Wash your hands or any other part of the body with soap and water if it comes into contact with an oozing boil.

For consultation with our pharmacist, fill in the form below.
All fields marked with ** are mandatory.

Your Contact Information:

**Name:

Address:

**City:

State:

Country:

Zip:

**Email:

Phone:

Fax:

**Enquiry: