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Boils and folliculitis

Furunculus / folliculitis · Furunkly a folikulitida

What it is

Infected hair follicles — pinhead pustules (folliculitis), or a deep, painful, pus-filled lump (a boil, a carbuncle when several join) — usually from staphylococcus.

Symptoms & signs

  • Red itchy spots around hairs
  • a tender lump that fills with pus and bursts
  • several heads joined (carbuncle)
  • fever with large boils
  • recurring crops

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Fever with a fast heartbeat or confusion
  • see a doctor soon Boil on the face near the nose or eye
  • see a doctor soon Spreading redness, red streaks or a boil bigger than 5 cm
  • see a doctor soon Boils that keep coming back, or boils with diabetes

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Warm compresses until it drains
  • incision and drainage of a large boil
  • antibiotics for spreading redness, fever or the face
  • swab for MRSA if recurrent
  • decolonisation (nasal mupirocin, antiseptic washes)

Natural & lifestyle

  • Clean razors and towels, not shared
  • loose clothing
  • blood-sugar control

Emerging & experimental

  • Staphylococcal vaccines
  • bacteriophage therapy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Tea tree oil washes — reduce staphylococcal carriage in small studies early / small studies
  • Honey dressings — antibacterial; small studies on wounds early / small studies
  • Garlic and turmeric pastes — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
  • Vitamin D and zinc sufficiency — linked to fewer skin infections; untested as treatment early / small studies

ICD codes