An acne boil is a localized infection deep in the skin. It is also referred to as a skin abscess. A boil usually starts as a tender area, red in color. After a period of a week or so, the area becomes hard and firm. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the blood stream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus. Finally, the pus “forms a head,” which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin.
There are several different types of boils. Among these are:
Furuncle or carbuncle: This is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. A furuncle can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne: This is a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue that the more superficial inflammation from common acne. Cystic acne is most common on the face and typically occurs in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa: This is a condition in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and often in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. This form of skin infection is difficult to treat with antibiotics alone and typically requires a surgical procedure to remove the involved sweat glands in order to stop the skin inflammation. Pilonidal cyst: This is a unique kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. Pilonidal cysts often begin as tiny areas of infection in the base of the area of skin from which hair grows (the hair follicle). With irritation from direct pressure over time the inflamed area enlarges to become a firm, painful, tender nodule making it difficult to sit without discomfort. These frequently form after long trips that involve prolonged sitting.
Why Do Acne Boils Occur
Acne boils can arise from many factors. Ingrown hair is a common cause. Others can form as the result of a foreign material that has become lodged in the skin. Others boils, such as those of acne, are caused by plugged sweat glands that become infected.
The skin is an essential part of our immune defense against microbes that are foreign to our body. Any break in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, can develop into an abscess and could then become infected with bacteria. How to Treat Acne Boils
Most acne boils can be treated at home. Treatment should begin as soon as a boil is noticed otherwise it may result in skin surface complications at a later stage.
The primary treatment for most boils is heat application, usually with hot soaks or hot packs. Heat application increases the circulation to the area and allows the body to better fight off the infection by bringing antibodies and white blood cells to the site of infection.
As long as the boil is small and firm, opening the area and draining the boil is not helpful, even if the area is painful. However, once the boil becomes soft or “forms a head” (that is, a small pustule is noted in the boil), it can be ready to drain. Once drained, pain relief can be dramatic. Most small boils, such as those that form around hairs, drain on their own with soaking. On occasion, and especially with larger boils, the the larger boil will need to be drained or “lanced” by a healthcare practitioner. Frequently, these larger boils contain several pockets of pus that must be opened and drained.
Antibiotics are often used to eliminate the accompanying bacterial infection. Especially if there is an infection of the surrounding skin, the doctor often prescribes antibiotics. However, antibiotics are not needed in every situation. In fact, antibiotics have difficult penetrating the outer wall of an abscess well and often will not cure an abscess without additional surgical drainage.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Acne Boils?
There are several ways that you can take to prevent acne boils or abscesses. The regular use of an anti-bacterial face wash can help to prevent bacteria from building up on the skin. This can reduce the chance for the hair follicles to become infected and prevent the formation of boils. When the hair follicles on the back of the arms or around the thighs are continually inflamed, regular use of an abrasive brush in the shower can be used break up oil plugs and build up around hair follicles.
Pilonidal cysts can be prevented by avoiding continued direct pressure or irritation of the buttock area when a local hair follicle becomes inflamed. At that point, regular soap and hot water cleaning and drying can be helpful.
For acne and hidradenitis suppurativa (see above), antibiotics may be required on a long-term basis to prevent recurrent abscess formation. As mentioned above, surgical resection of sweat glands in the involved skin may be necessary. Other medications, such as isotretinoin (Accutane) can be used for cystic acne and has been helpful in some patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Recurrences are common in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Other Non Surgical Treatments and Products
There are several nonsurgical treatment options and products that may be appropriate for your acne boils and scars, which include topical creams, chemical peels, skin fillers and skin camouflage.
Creams can act to improve your acne and help to smooth very fine acne scarring, these help by encouraging collagen production in your skin. Chemical Peels can improve overall skin tone and lustre, but do little for scars. Skin Fillers are materials that are injected into the depressed area of the scar to elevate it to the level of the normal surrounding skin. Results are temporary, lasting 3-6 months and are effective only in rolling scars.
The condition may be observed in patients of any age after puberty. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa is difficult. It is best treated in the early stages before extensive scarring develops. Treatments depend on the extent of the affected areas and whether the sores are painful or infected. Mild cases can be treated with self-care measures, including warm compresses and regular washings with antibacterial soap. Surgery is the most effective treatment for recalcitrant hidradenitis. Mild cases of hidradenitis suppurativa can be treated with warm compresses and anti-bacterial soap. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to manage welling. Aggressive surgery will cure an area of severe, chronic hidradenitis but it has to remove scarred tissue or even large areas of skin.
Radiotherapy has been investigated as a potential treatment option. Skin grafts may be needed. Incision (lancing) and draining will reliably help smaller affected areas. Cutting away skin and flesh that cover any tunnels or tracts can increase healing of the lesions and minimize scarring. Retin-A cream, a prescription, helps some people. Stress management methods may be useful because the disease can be aggravated during times of increased psychosocial stress. Other medical treatment options address the possible hormonal etiology of hidradenitis; these options include oral contraceptive agents that contain a high estrogen-to-progesterone ratio and low androgenicity of progesterone. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are other treatment possibilities.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment and Prevention Tips
1 Don’t smoke.
2. Wear loose fitting clothing to avoid friction.
3. Topical anti-acne antibiotics such as clindamycin or erythromycin applied to affected areas.
4. Persistent hidradenitis lumps may be excised after several months of conservative treatment.
5. Radical excisional surgery is reserved for very severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa.
6. Experimentally, laser ablation may be useful in some patients.
7. Systemic corticosteroids or intralesional corticosteroids may reduce severe inflammatory lesions.
8. Wash with antiseptics or acne preparations to reduce skin carriage of commensal bacteria.
I am in pain most of the time from these boil-like abcesses, I feel gross and unattractive. I have to be so careful who I let into my world, beacuse you never know who is going to try to understand and who is just going to think the worst of my situtation.
I am one of the lucky ones to have found a life partner that not only tries to understand what I am going through, but takes care of me when it gets to the point that I can’t take care of myself. I am finding that I am getting more depressed then I ever have before, and it always seemed to be around the time that I have major Hidradenitis Suppurative issues.
I haven’t had to deal with depression a lot so this is pretty new to me. If there is anyone out there that is dealing with depression because of this horrible condition, please comment below, I would like to know that I am not alone out here.
]]>OK so I was sitting around nursing some of my wounds, and I thought it would be a good idea to post some of my tips and remedies on how I live with the daily pain of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. So here it goes:
So here are a few tips to save your clothing from the draining caused by Hidradenitis Suppurativa:
I have found these tips and remedies useful in dealing with some of the issues associated with hidradenitis suppurativa and I hope you find them helpful. If you have tips not mentioned here that will help others please feel post your comments below.
]]>Let them talk about it. People living with hidradenitis suppurativa have a lot on their plate. Not only are they trying to manage the pain inflicted on their body’s, but they are also fighting a psychological battle as a result of how they perceive themselves due to the distortment of their skin.
It is a known statistic, that 80% of all people diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa suffer from depression. One way you can help them battle the psychological effect of their unfortunate circumstance is to listen to them when they talk about it. One thing is for sure, the topic of hidradenitis suppurativa is just as boring to them as it is to you, but they are discussing it for a reason…because they need to vent. They need to get things off of their chest and talking about it helps; whether it’s done consciously or subconsciously. Your only job is to listen.
Let your loved one know their symptoms won’t scare you away. Low self-esteem can emerge when hidradenitis suppurativa symptoms begin to alter the appearance of those with the disease. To keep their self-esteem high, hidradenitis suppurativa sufferers need to know that the people in their lives will remain no matter what. As their support system, you can boost their confidence by ensuring them that you will be their no matter how bad things get.
Help them search for medical solutions. When your loved one is burdened with the painful symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa, they may be motivated to search for possible solutions. By getting involved with them on their journey, you can show them that you support them, and will go through the fire with them.
Nurse your loved one through flare ups. When someone you care about has a skin breakout caused by hidradenitis suppurativa, be there to help them through the pain and suffering. Help them apply the necessary treatments on their skin. Also, when you see they are suffering, ask them if there is anything you can do for them.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa sufferers go through a tremendous amount of anguish. Maybe more than you will ever know. None these tips will make the physical pain go away, that’s not the point of all this. It’s what these activities will do for them psychologically, and that is boost their confidence and make them feel unconditionally loved.
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