BOILS....need advice

Cilc · Nov 29, 2004

Hi...i would go to check it out with a regular Doc first. Let him/ her make the decision if a dermato is neded.

Cilc

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 29, 2004

We've been seeing a ton of these lately, and a good number are coming up MERSA positive. Most of them are having to be I & D'd, and then packed with Iodiform.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 29, 2004

Get to regular doctor ---and he/she can refer you as needed. Chances are , he/she can treat this first. And if you HMO is like mine, you won't get to a derm w/o a referral, anyhow......

Good luck and yes, get in there and get it looked at ASAP!

Farkinott, RN · Nov 30, 2004

I worked in an indigenous community where boils were common. The usual causative bactieria is the natural "skin bug" staph epidermis which only causes problems when it gets into a hair follicle (boils) or is introduced systemically.

To help bring them to a head I use "Magnaplasm" (magnesium sulphate? paste), which you need to apply twice a day and cover. Once the head is evident you can usually prick it and PRESS, NEVER SQUEEZE! the pus out. You know it's all out when the "core" comes which is the original infected follicle as it is connective tissue rather than pus. You will then be left with a hole. A light cover and regular cleansing with soap and water should be enough to stop any fruther problems. The hole heals in no time.

If the boil becomes VERY red, swollen and hot then antibiotics WILL be necessary, followed by incision and drainage when it is "ripe". An additional precaution is to wash with a chlorhexidine type cleanser in the shower to reduce body flora.

An old English remedy was to super heat a bottle in boiling water then apply the mouth of the bottle to the boil. The resulting vaccuum "sucked" the boil out! I guess a small burn is nothing compared to the pain of a boil or infection that is different to control without antibiotics!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 30, 2004

Back in the bad old days when we didn't have health insurance, I had a boil on my lower abdomen, and I treated it by putting a warm baking soda paste on it for 20 minutes 3 times a day. It took only about 36 hours before the thing burst and drained out all the yuck.......healed right up, too. Baking soda was my grandmother's answer to almost everything, and at least in this case she was right. :)

Fluesy · Nov 30, 2004

The pharmacists tell you that baking soda and magnaplasm are all old wives tales that don't do anything but everyone who has worked in a country hospital where grass seed boils are common will tell you different.

RN92 · Nov 30, 2004

What you are describing is called an abscess. Fancy name for infection right below skin. Usually caused by infected hair follicle. If its gone very deep, you will need to have it drained and take antibiotics.

A "boil" implies a fluid filled blister caused by friction or sunburn, etc.

I have seen a few people let their abscessed get so bad that they required surgery. :imbar

begalli · Nov 30, 2004

Lots of good advice here but the best thing to do would be to have it looked at by a doctor, PA, or NP.

My daughter once had a "boil" on the calf of her leg. It was about 1 1/2" in diameter, about 1/4" tall, red and warm, and had a little white dot in the middle. Turned out to be a poisonous sider bite. I don't mean to alarm you, but you never know, especially if this is the first time your husband's ever had something like this.

SarasLPN · Nov 30, 2004

thats what I tried to tell him that it could be a spier bite but he insisted that it wasn't because it had been there for over a week and getting worse. I can't believe he hadn't showed me sooner. He hates the Dr...lol funny i guess i will have to drag the poor boy by the ear oh well thanks !

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2004

OH the old white coat scare huh? LOL, my dad is the same way...and my hubby and I, well...we are both medics and don't like taking our time off to see docs! LOL! So here is what I have done for cases where I feel they should go in...

One, I schedule appointments so that I get checked out too! That way the person I am bringing in doesn't feel that I am just waiting there for them and they come up with excuses to get out or not go. Then I make sure I have some money for lunch afterwards as a 'treat' for going. My docs office is by this awesome pub that makes the greatest sandwiches and burgers my whole family loves...so it is not hard when I say.."okay well afterwards we will hit the pub and get lunch"..they are almost running out the door! LOL!

Yeah, with any type of lump, I see or suggest Doc! You just never know...and people take for grantid that large organ we call the skin thinking..well it will go away like a zit or something. The skin is vital, and needs to be in top shape for life !