Boils
A boil is a hard and painful lump that fills with pus. Most boils go away on their own. See a GP if you keep getting them.
There are things you can do to treat boils yourself and stop them coming back.
Do
soak a clean cloth in warm water and hold it against the boil for 10 minutes 4 times a day
clean the area around the boil with antibacterial soap if pus comes out
cover the area with a dressing or gauze until it heals
bathe or shower every day and wash your hands regularly
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain
wash your towels and bedding at least once a week at high temperature
try to lose weight if you are very overweight and have boils between folds of your skin
Don't
do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil
do not share your towel with other people until the boil has gone
do not go to a swimming pool or gym until the boil has gone – you could pass the infection on to others
See a GP if:
- you've had a boil for 2 weeks and the things you've tried are not helping
- you keep getting boils
- you have a group of boils (carbuncle)
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have a boil and:
- it is on your face
- the skin around your boil feels hot, painful and swollen
- you feel hot and shivery
- you have a weakened immune system – this could be from taking treatments such as steroids, or having a condition like diabetes
You can call 111 or get help from NHS 111 online.
A GP can check if you need treatment.
You may need:
- a small procedure to drain the boil to get rid of the pus
- antibiotics
You may be more likely to get boils if you have a long-term condition that affects your immune system, such as diabetes or HIV.
You may also be more likely to get boils if:
- you're a man
- you've been in close contact with someone with boils
- you have certain skin conditions, such as eczema
- you take certain medicines, such as steroids
- you’re living with obesity or malnutrition
Carbuncles are less common and mostly affect middle-aged men.
