BOILS CAUSES |
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Boils and carbuncles are caused by
Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that causes an infection in an
oil gland or hair follicle. Although the surface of human skin is
usually resistant to bacterial infection, S. aureus can enter
through a break in the skin surface-- including breaks caused by
needle punctures for insulin or drug injections. Hair follicles that
are blocked by greasy creams, petroleum jelly, or similar products
are more vulnerable to infection. Bacterial skin infections can be
spread by shared cosmetics or washcloths, close human contact, or by
contact with pus from a boil or carbuncle.
As the infection develops, an area of inflamed tissue gradually
forms a pus-filled swelling or pimple that is painful to touch. As
the boil matures, it forms a yellowish head or point. It may either
continue to swell until the point bursts open and allows the pus to
drain, or it may be gradually reabsorbed into the skin. It takes
between one and two weeks for a boil to heal completely after it
comes to a head and discharges pus. The bacteria that cause the boil
can spread into other areas of the skin or even into the bloodstream
if the skin around the boil is injured by squeezing. If the
infection spreads, the patient will usually develop chills and fever,
swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), and red lines in the skin
running outward from the boil.
Furunculosis is a word that is sometimes used to refer to recurrent
boils. Many patients have repeated episodes of furunculosis that are
difficult to treat because their nasal passages carry colonies of S.
aureus. These bacterial colonies make it easy for the patient's skin
to be reinfected. They are most likely to develop in patients with
diabetes, HIV infection, or other immune system disorders.
Carbuncles are formed when the bacteria infect several hair
follicles that are close together. Carbunculosis is a word that is
sometimes used to refer to the development of carbuncles. The
abscesses spread until they merge with each other to form a single
large area of infected skin with several pus-filled heads. Patients
with carbuncles may also have a low-grade fever or feel generally
unwell. |
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| BOILS RELATED ITEMS |
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