Boils. Most people associate this term with the thought of an unpleasant skin appearance or a large pimple. They can appear on all possible places on the body.
But what exactly are these purulent pustules from a medical point of view? We take the example of a furuncle in the armpit. What can be done, both therapeutically and preventively, and more importantly: is the boil a dangerous disease?
Definition
A boil is the inflammation of a hair follicle (also called hair follicle, corresponds to the hair root in the skin) and affects all skin layers down to the subcutaneous fatty tissue. This leads to the melting of tissue and the accumulation of pus. A boil can be the preliminary stage of an abscess. If several boils appear next to each other, one speaks of a carbuncle.
Causes of a furuncle in the armpit
Boils are caused by bacteria. Mostly the genus Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for it. In many people they are part of the natural skin flora and only become a problem when they find an entry point into the body in the form of a small wound or when the person has a weakened immune system.
This can be the case with treatment with some medications or even with certain diseases (e.g. diabetes, kidney disease, HIV infection). Staphylococci produce some substances through which they escape the body’s own defense system and can spread cavernously into the body. If a body hair is damaged, e.g. by shaving or rubbing against tight clothing under the armpits, the bacteria can use this as an entry port into the hair root and multiply there and cause an inflammation.
Symptoms of boils in the armpit
The symptoms of a furuncle are very similar to the symptoms of an inflammation. The affected area is reddened and overheated, it hurts when touched or moved, sometimes even at rest. A swelling is palpable in the form of a knot, which is caused by the accumulation of pus around the hair follicle as well as by the surrounding tissue that has been attacked.
Usually the middle of the furuncle is visible as a white-yellowish spot or tip. After a few days the boil usually empties itself, it opens up and the pus can drain away. This removes the tension from the tissue and the pain subsides.
Boils in the armpit can be extremely painful. Due to its unfortunate location, the boil is exposed to constant mechanical stress and friction. Tight-fitting clothing, as well as sweating under the armpit, intensify these effects and cause the boil to hurt even more.
The pain manifests itself as a pulling and throbbing sensation of medium to severe intensity. Pain in the armpit can be relieved by painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as well as cooling. However, cooling compresses should be used with caution, as no strong pressure should be exerted on the boil. Often an incision of the furuncle by a physician provides relief, as the pus can flow off and healing can be achieved.
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