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Pimples and boils are skin infections or abscesses that originate deep within the sebaceous glands or hair follicles. These conditions can be bothersome, but they are preventable! Initially, a boil or pimple will appear on the skin as a red spot, which later develops into a hardened mass with pus inside. The cause of boils is bacterial infection entering the skin through cuts or pores, commonly affecting people with diabetes, weakened immune systems, skin conditions, poor hygiene, or inadequate nutrition. Acne can also evolve into boils on the face, back, and neck, which are especially common during adolescence. Many methods to prevent boils also help in eliminating acne.
Steps
Establish a Habit of Proper Hygiene
Shower regularly to keep skin and hair clean. This is particularly important in hot weather, as boils can easily form. Aim to shower at least once a day and after sweating to prevent staphylococcus aureus from entering through the pores and beneath the skin, leading to boils.
- Pay special attention to areas prone to boil formation such as the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks.
Use a mild antibacterial soap daily to eliminate bacteria on your skin. Look for soaps, body washes, or facial cleansers labeled "antibacterial". Many different types of such products are available in supermarkets and pharmacies for you to choose from.
- If the antibacterial soap causes dry skin, opt for a gentler formula like Cetaphil.
- Most antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, but if you prefer natural products, look for soaps with tea tree oil (a natural antibacterial agent).
- In some cases, you may need to use a specific soap prescribed by a doctor due to its stronger antibacterial properties. If you frequently experience boils or other skin infections, you should ask your doctor for recommendations.
- A body wash containing benzoyl peroxide is also a good option you might want to try.
Gently scrub off dead skin using a loofah or washcloth to prevent clogged pores. Be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid damaging your skin.
Thoroughly dry your skin after bathing. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, so drying your skin is crucial. You can use baby powder or medicated powders like Gold Bond to keep areas prone to moisture dry.
Shower with bleach-infused water. Doctors often recommend people with skin conditions like eczema to bathe in bleach-infused water, which can also kill the bacteria causing boils. Add half a cup of regular bleach to a tub of warm water and soak in it for 10-15 minutes.
- Do not bathe in bleach-infused water more than three times a week.
- Avoid submerging your head or allowing the water to come into contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- While this method is safe for children, you should consult with a doctor or pediatrician before using it for a child.
Wear clean, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid re-wearing sweat-soaked clothes and choose loose clothing that does not rub against your skin to prevent irritation. Tight clothing creates a suffocating environment, making your skin more prone to irritation and the development of boils.
Shaving to Prevent Pimples and Boils
Avoid sharing razors. Staphylococcus bacteria can spread through the use of shared personal items like razors. Each family member should have their own razor if they wish to shave.
Use shaving gel on wet skin. Shaving is a common cause of ingrown hairs, which can lead to infections and boils. Applying shaving gel to wet skin helps lubricate the razor's motion, preventing the hair from being pushed back into the skin and causing irritation.
Keep your razor clean and only use sharp blades. Rinse your razor after each use. Replace razors frequently, or for reusable razors, ensure you change the blade regularly. A sharp blade requires less pressure, reducing the risk of cutting your skin and preventing ingrown hairs.
Shave in the direction of hair growth. It’s often advised to shave against the direction of hair growth, but this can cause ingrown hairs and boils. Always shave in the correct direction of hair growth.
- If your hair is curly, it can be difficult to determine the shaving direction. Generally, for leg hair, you should shave downwards. Another method is to run your hand along your skin to feel the direction the hair grows.
Think carefully before shaving your genital area. Some studies have shown that there have been cases of severe MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections when women shave their pubic hair. Men who engage in 'cosmetic shaving' in the genital area may also be at risk of MRSA infection. It is best to avoid shaving sensitive areas.
- Shaving in the genital region creates small cuts in the skin, allowing Staphylococcus aureus to enter and cause infections or boils. Since this area sweats more than other parts of the body, the risk of developing boils is also higher.
Do not shave over swollen areas. If you notice any swelling or the presence of boils, avoid shaving in that area, as it will spread bacteria to other parts of the body.
Prevent bacterial infections from others
Take precautions to prevent transmission. Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria responsible for boils, is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person’s skin or pus. If you are prone to this type of infection or are in close contact with someone who has boils, be cautious to avoid spreading the bacteria.
Avoid sharing a bed, towels, washcloths, or clothes with someone who has boils. Every family member should have their own towels and washcloths, which should be washed regularly and kept separate.
- Pus from a boil is easily spread, and bacteria can survive on surfaces for a period of time.
- Do not share bar soap if you or someone else has a boil.
- It’s also advisable to avoid sharing razors or sports equipment. Both Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA can spread through shared personal items or sports gear.
Regularly and thoroughly clean your bedding and towels to eliminate bacteria that cause boils. When washing clothes, always use the hottest water temperature recommended, and bleach white fabrics.
- To be cautious, wear gloves when washing the clothes of someone with boils.
- If you're prone to facial boils, change your pillowcase daily to prevent bacterial spread.
Keep the wound clean, properly bandaged, and change the dressing regularly. Pus from boils is teeming with bacteria. If not properly bandaged, it can lead to more boils or spread to others upon accidental contact.
- Never attempt to pop a boil yourself. If drainage is necessary, it should only be performed by a medical professional. Trying to drain it yourself can cause more harm or worsen the infection.
Proper wound care
Clean the wound thoroughly to prevent infection. Rinse the wound under cool running water to wash away dirt and bacteria, or use a saline wound wash available at pharmacies or online stores.
Use soap and a clean, soft wet cloth to wipe away any dirt and bacteria around the wound.
- If dirt remains after rinsing, use sterilized tweezers to carefully remove it from the wound.
- If the wound is too large or deep to clean thoroughly, or if you cannot remove all the debris, it’s best to go to a hospital for professional medical care.
Bôi dung dịch khử trùng hay thuốc kháng sinh dạng mỡ vào vết thương theo hướng dẫn của nhà sản xuất.
- Ngoài dung dịch khử trùng bạn có thể dùng các sản phẩm thiên nhiên khác như mật ong, tinh dầu oải hương, tinh dầu khuynh diệp hay tinh dầu cây trà. Cách sử dụng những chất này là xoa trực tiếp vào vết thương một hay hai lần mỗi ngày.
Băng kín vết thương và thay gạc thường xuyên. Vết thương sẽ lành mau hơn khi được băng kín, ngoài ra cũng ngăn cản bụi bẩn và vi khuẩn ở bên ngoài không thể xâm nhập vào vết thương.
Rửa tay thật sạch trước và sau khi xử lý vết thương, vứt bỏ đúng cách băng và gạc đã qua sử dụng. Cách rửa tay đúng cách là phải làm ướt tay dưới vòi nước trước tiên, sau đó mới xoa xà phòng. Xoa hai bàn tay để tạo bọt và chà mạnh tay ít nhất 20 giây, chà tất cả các bề mặt bao gồm mui bàn tay, giữa các ngón và bên dưới móng tay. Xối nước kỹ rồi lau khô tay hoàn toàn bằng khăn hay máy sấy.
Duy trì lối sống lành mạnh
Ăn uống lành mạnh. Ăn không đủ dinh dưỡng là một trong những nguyên nhân chính gây suy giảm miễn dịch và dẫn tới nhiễm trùng. Bạn không chỉ cần ăn đủ mà còn phải ăn đúng loại thực phẩm lành mạnh giàu vitamin và khoáng chất.
- Tránh ăn thực phẩm chứa nhiều đường, muối và chất bảo quản.
- Cân nhắc uống thực phẩm chức năng bổ sung vitamin, đặc biệt là vitamin C.
Stay hydrated, especially during hot weather. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your pores clean and prevents blockages, which helps prevent boils. You should aim to drink about 30-60 ml of water per kilogram of body weight each day. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, you should consume between 1.8 to 3.6 liters of water daily.
- If the weather is hot, or if you are working or exercising vigorously, it's advisable to drink towards the higher end of this range.
Use turmeric. Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it useful for treating and preventing boils. Creams or oils containing turmeric can help wounds heal faster, including boils. While studies have not proven the effects of eating turmeric on boils, it contains antioxidants that may help prevent strokes and heart attacks, so feel free to consume as much as you like.
Exercise for 20-30 minutes every day. Moderate exercise can significantly boost your immune system. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily to maintain healthy skin and prevent infections.
- If you're just starting to exercise again, begin slowly. Walking for 20 minutes, or even just 10 minutes a day, can improve your immune function.
- Exercise doesn't have to be boring; find ways to make it fun, like dancing or taking a walk in the park with family.
Try to reduce stress. People under a lot of stress tend to experience more breakouts and other health issues. If possible, set aside some time each day to relax and relieve stress. Exercise is a great way to de-stress, with many people successfully using yoga, meditation, and tai chi.
- Smiling is also a great stress reliever. You can ask friends to tell jokes or watch a comedy or fun TV show to unwind at the end of the day.
Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. In some cases, boils can appear after contact with irritating chemicals at home or work. Chemicals like coal tar and cutting oils are known to cause skin problems. Wear protective clothing when working with these chemicals and make sure to wash your skin thoroughly after exposure.
Seek medical solutions to prevent boils.
Visit a doctor. If you are prone to boils or if they don't go away after self-treatment, it's important to consult a doctor to rule out other underlying causes such as diabetes, anemia, or infections. Your doctor may prescribe medication or recommend additional preventive measures, including antibiotics, topical treatments, and iron supplements.
- You should also seek medical advice if your boils recur, last longer than two weeks, appear on your face or back, are causing significant pain, or are accompanied by fever.
Consider taking a course of antibiotics. People who frequently develop boils or acne may need to take a round of antibiotics to address the underlying infection causing the boils.
- Common antibiotics prescribed for boils and acne include tetracycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin, with treatment usually lasting around 6 months.
Ask your doctor about nasal antibiotics. For individuals with staphylococcus aureus residing in their nasal passages, doctors may prescribe long-term use of topical antibiotics or nasal sprays. These treatments will eliminate the staphylococcus bacteria in the nose, preventing infections from spreading to the skin or from being transmitted to others through sneezing, coughing, etc.
Inquire about prescription-strength antibacterial soap and topical medications. If regular antibacterial soap isn't effective or causes skin irritation, your doctor may prescribe a different, more suitable one. Prescription topical antibiotics can also be applied directly to areas prone to boils or open wounds to help manage the infection.
Consult a doctor about MRSA bacteria. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of staph bacteria that has developed resistance to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. This bacteria commonly appears in hospitals and healthcare settings like nursing homes. However, it can also spread through skin-to-skin contact, such as during sports activities.
- Boils can develop when you are infected with MRSA. Other symptoms to watch out for include skin abscesses (pockets of pus beneath the skin), carbuncles (clusters of boils filled with pus and fluid), and impetigo (itchy, crusted boils). If you suspect you have an MRSA infection, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
