Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Early Symptoms
• Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Late Symptoms
• Method 3 of 3: What to do to avoid boils
• Tips
• Warnings

A boil (abscess) is an inflammation and infection of the hair follicle. Boils are a very common form of skin infection and are fairly easy to treat in the early stages. For more information on the signs of an abscess, go to step one!

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Early Symptoms

1. 1 The most common places where sores are most likely to be found are the shoulders, neck, face, armpits, or buttocks. An abscess forms around an ingrown hair, where bacteria quickly begin to multiply, thus causing infection and inflammation.
2. 2 Take a close look at the area where you feel pain. In the early stages, the abscess will hurt only if you touch it.If you notice a small spot on your skin, take a closer look at it. Do you feel pain or discomfort when touching this area?
3. 3 Pay attention to any redness. As soon as an abscess begins to form somewhere, this area will immediately turn red. This is because the body sends as much blood as possible to the abscess to fight off the infection. The blood contains white blood cells that fight infection. It is the sharp rush of blood to the abscess that gives it a red color. The abscess area is likely to swell slightly due to the extra blood volume.
4. 4 The boil may be hot or warm. Warmth is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. The body sends as much energy and heat as possible to the infection site to kill bacteria. Try to put a little pressure on the area of ​​concern. If it's an abscess, you will feel that the place is hot.

Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Late Symptoms

1. 1 Keep in mind that over time, the abscess will get bigger and you will feel more pain. The painful area will greatly increase in size, become softer to the touch. But you will always feel pain, without even touching the abscess. Some describe this discomfort as a throbbing pain.
   • In the latter stages, abscesses can vary in size, from a pea to a golf ball.
2. 2 Look closely for pus. A white and yellowish fluid may develop in the center of the abscess. This is the pus that collects inside the infected area. If you accidentally break an abscess, then the pus will drain, causing severe pain.
3. 3 The symptom is fever. If the abscess grows and it becomes difficult for the body to fight it, chances are your body temperature will rise. As your body temperature rises, the fight against infection accelerates. You will most likely feel fever or chills.
   • Fever can cause fatigue.
4. 4 Check your glands and lymph nodes. They are part of the immune system. When an infection enters the body, the lymph nodes begin to filter the blood, eliminating the detected pathogen. A sign of an abscess is swollen lymph nodes.
   • Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. You need to feel the ones on the neck.

Method 3 of 3: What to do to avoid boils

Abscesses can occur in absolutely any person. However, there are several methods to help you avoid this problem in the future.

1. 1 Body hygiene. People who do not follow hygiene are at great risk of earning boils. Shower regularly, wash with a sponge and shower gels. Wash your hair. If you have dirty, sweaty skin, bacteria will grow on it before you can blink an eye.
2. 2 Strengthen your immune system. If your nervous system is unable to fight infections, the development of boils is almost inevitable. Other factors, such as illness, can also weaken immunity. AIDS, for example, weakens your immune system completely. People who have recently undergone chemotherapy or underwent organ transplants are prone to developing boils. So, to strengthen the immune system:
   • Eat a diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Try to avoid saturated fat.
   • Keep your body in shape and do vigorous exercise 3-4 times a week.
   • Sleep more. The amount of sleep depends on your age, but as a rule, you should sleep at least 8 hours a night.
   • To prevent bacteria from accumulating on your hands, be sure to wash them as often as possible.
3. 3 Avoid close contact with people who have boils. If you spend too much time with an infected person, your chances of getting infected are greatly increased. Working in a hospital or clinic and coming into contact with infected people increases your chances of getting infected.
4. 4 Be aware that medications you are taking may be the cause of boils. If you take immunosuppressants (such as corticosteroids), your immune system can weaken dramatically.

Tips

• In any case, avoid damaging your skin. Cuts and abrasions lead to infection, which in turn leads to boils.

Warnings

• If you notice any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. Or buy an ointment to treat abscesses at the pharmacy.