Causes of Acne Boils
Boils are a skin abscess that result in a tender, pus-filled swelling when one or more hair follicles become infected. Boils start as a painful, reddened area that eventually becomes tender and a hard nodule. When the pus forms a head, it can be drained by breaking the head or waiting for it to naturally burst.
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Types
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Four types of boils exist. A furuncle boil is a round pus-filled nodule that grows from the deepest portion of the hair follicle in which the hair root is completely destroyed. A cystic boil occurs when the oil ducts become clogged and infected. Hidradenitis suppurativa is when multiple boils form under the armpits and in the groin area because of inflamed sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a boil that occurs in the crease of the buttocks.
Causes
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Acne boils can be caused by an infected hair follicle, a foreign object that becomes lodged into the skin or clogged sweat glands that becomes infected.
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Considerations
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While anyone can suffer a boil, people with weakened immune systems because of illness or medication are more likely to develop boils.
Treatment
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Boils are primarily treated with heat application by using a warm cloth or running it under warm water. Larger boils may be drained by a medical professional through an incision. Antibiotics can be given to fight any accompanying bacterial infection.
Prevention
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You can prevent boils by practicing good hygiene, washing your skin with antibacterial soap, wearing loose-fitting clothes that don't irritate your skin, keeping cuts and wounds clean and bandaged and keeping your immune system strong by following a healthy diet and getting exercise.
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