Boils and carbuncles are red, painful lumps on the skin that are usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms of boils and carbuncles

Boils

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DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Boils can develop anywhere on your skin, but you're most likely to get 1 in an area where there's a combination of hair, sweat and friction, such as the neck, face or thighs.

Over time, pus forms inside the boil, making it bigger and more painful.

Most boils eventually burst and the pus drains away without leaving a scar.

This can take from 2 days to 3 weeks to happen.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between a boil and a spot, but boils tend to grow bigger and become more painful.

A GP should be able to diagnose a boil from its appearance.

Carbuncles

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Mediscan / Alamy Stock Photo

A carbuncle is a dome-shaped cluster of boils that usually develops over a few days.

The areas most commonly affected are the back, thighs, or back of the neck.

A carbuncle can grow to a size of 3 to 10cm and will leak pus from a number of points.

You may also:

• have a high temperature of 38C or above
• feel generally unwell
• feel weak and exhausted

Carbuncles are less common than boils and tend to mostly affect middle-aged or older men in poor health or with a weakened immune system.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you think you have a carbuncle.

With boils, you do not usually need to see a doctor as most boils burst and heal by themselves.

But see a GP if you have a boil:

• on your face, nose or spine – this can sometimes cause serious complications
• that gets bigger and feels soft and spongy to touch – it may not burst and heal by itself
• that does not heal within 2 weeks
• and you have a temperature and feel generally unwell

Your GP should be able to identify a boil or carbuncle by looking at it.

Further testing

Further testing, such as a blood test or skin swab, may be needed if you have:

• a boil or carbuncle that keeps returning or does not respond to treatment
• multiple boils or carbuncles
• a weakened immune system caused by a condition such as diabetes, or having a treatment like chemotherapy

How to treat a boil yourself

Most boils get better without the need for medical treatment.

One of the best ways to speed up healing is to apply a warm, moist face cloth to the boil for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.

The heat increases the amount of blood circulating around the boil, which sends more infection-fighting white blood cells to the area.

When the boil bursts, cover it with sterile gauze or a dressing to prevent the spread of infection.

Afterwards, wash your hands thoroughly using hot water and soap.

Never squeeze or pierce a boil as it could spread the infection.

You can use over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve any pain caused by the boil.

Treatment for boils from a GP

Draining boils

If your boil does not heal, a GP may decide to drain it, or refer you to hospital to have this done.

They'll usually numb the area first and then use a sterile needle or scalpel to pierce the boil.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are usually recommended:

• for all cases of carbuncles
• if you have a high temperature
• if you develop a secondary infection, such as cellulitis (infection of the deeper layers of the skin)
• if you have a boil on your face – facial boils have a higher risk of causing complications
• if you're in severe pain and discomfort

It's very important to finish the course of antibiotics even if the boil goes away, otherwise the infection could return.

Treating recurrent boils and carbuncles

You're likely to need further treatment if you keep getting boils or carbuncles.

Most people who keep getting boils are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (staph bacteria). 

This means they have staph bacteria living on their skin or inside their nose.

Treatment will depend on where the bacteria are found on your body.

An antiseptic soap can be used to kill the bacteria on the skin.

Bacteria in the nose will need to be treated with a prescribed antiseptic cream for up to 10 days.

Causes of boils and carbuncles

Boils and carbuncles are often caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph bacteria) that infects 1 or more hair follicles.

Staph bacteria usually live harmlessly on the surface of the skin or in the lining of the nose.

You can get a boil when bacteria enter the skin through cuts and grazes.

Your immune system responds by sending infection-fighting white blood cells to kill the bacteria.

Over time, a mixture of dead bacteria, dead white blood cells and dead skin cells builds up inside the boil to form pus.

A carbuncle develops when the infection spreads further beneath the skin to create a cluster of boils.

Complications of boils and carbuncles

Although most boils and carbuncles do not cause further problems, some people develop a secondary infection.

This can range from a relatively minor (though often very painful) infection of the deeper layer of the skin, such as cellulitis, to rarer and more serious complications, such as sepsis.

Larger boils and carbuncles can also lead to scarring.

Preventing boils and carbuncles

You cannot always avoid getting a boil or carbuncle, but these simple steps can reduce your risk:

• wash your skin regularly using a mild antibacterial soap
• carefully clean any cuts, wounds or grazes (even small ones) 
• cover cuts, wounds and grazes with a sterile bandage until they heal
• eat healthily and exercise regularly to boost your immune system

Can I catch a boil or carbuncle?

Yes, you can. Unlike acne, boils and carbuncles can spread to another part of the body or to another person.

To prevent boils and carbuncles spreading, take simple precautions such as:

• washing your hands after touching affected areas
• using a separate face cloth and towel
• washing underwear, bed linen and towels at a high temperature
• covering wounds with a dressing until they heal
• carefully disposing of used dressings