A boil is a skin infection caused by the germs (staphylococcal bacteria) that usually live on the surface of our skin. These Staphs enter the deeper layers through a scratch, cut or insect bite and travel down the hair to the hair follicle or oil gland. Once the bacteria seals itself off from oxygen, it proliferates and the skin becomes red and tender. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.
Children usually develop boils easier than adults, because they often pick their noses and then scratch their itchy bites, leading to a huge amount of bacteria that enters the broken skin. They often present with several boils in a group, called a carbuncle – especially in the armpits and on the buttocks.
The best way to treat a carbuncle or furuncle (boil) is to expose the Staphs to oxygen. Just making a prick in the soft centre of it is not sufficient and might even cause the germs to spread to the healthy skin around it. Your GP needs to make a proper cut and clean out the puss, leaving a plug with Betadine inside that can be removed the next morning. The local anaesthetic works within five seconds, making it easy to get to the bottom of the problem.
In KZN, Staph infections are more common due to the high humidity and the term “Natal sores” were given to these superficial, patchy areas of broken skin with yellow crust. Impetigo – another term used for superficial Staph infections needs to be treated aggressively with antibiotics; preferably a 10 day course!
Source: Dr Deseré Ferreira