What is a heat boil? Why should I care?
Heat boils or ‘Bal Tod’ in Hindi is an infection of the hair follicle by bacteria. This is one of the most common bacterial skin infections, and probably every single individual will go through this at least once in their lifetime.
Heat Boils typically start by pulling out hair either by accident or on purpose. These are seen as small to large lesions filled with pus. Most often these are seen on areas like legs, armpits, buttocks and scalp. However, that said, they can occur practically on any part of the body.
They start off as a small ‘boil’ (see image), increase in size and eventually burst open, oozing out pus. If left untreated, the infection moves deeper into the skin and can cause an abscess. (An abscess is a very deep and large lesion which often needs surgical intervention)
As they are an infection caused by bacteria, they are contagious and can be transferred from one individual to another.
Why me?
Main Causes :
- Pulling of Hair
- Nicks and Cuts caused by Shaving
- Blocking of pores due to oil massage.
Factors that aggravate (not the cause, but the reason why they increase) these boils include:
- Hot and humid conditions
- Diabetes
- Decreased immunity
- Usage of Certain Medications
- Poor hygiene
What should I do?
Like all skin conditions, it is probably more important to know what not to do before anything else. In my career as a dermatologist in Mumbai, I have seen more damage be done to patients by the actions they have taken themselves rather than approach a skin doctor in Mumbai. Here’s a list of DO NOTs for heat boils:
- Do not squeeze or break the boils, as the infection worsens.
- Do not use Over The Counter (OTC) creams
- Do not use home remedies like turmeric and castor oil
- Do not use Dettol or Savlon to clean the area, as it may irritate the skin more.
- Do not ignore any painful boils, get them treated immediately by a skin specialist in Mumbai.
And how do I get rid of it?
For minor immediate relief, the patients are advised to carry out warm compresses to decrease the pain and inflammation. Also, cleaning the area with lukewarm water ensures that the infection remains in check.
The boils, being an infection, require proper medical attention at a skin clinic in Mumbai and are treated with oral and topical antibiotics. Also, oral anti-inflammatory medications would be prescribed by the dermatologist in Powai to take care of the pain and inflammation.
If a heat boil advances and becomes an abscess, it becomes important to drain the abscess with a minor surgery at a skin clinic in Powai.
I don’t want them again.
And as the age old saying goes: Prevention is better than Cure. Here are some helpful tips on the prevention of heat boils:
- Wash the clothes and linen of the infected person separately to avoid the spread of infection.
- Do not wear tight clothes that may cause pulling/breakage of hair.
- Keep good hygiene – especially in areas with more sweating, like armpits, etc.
I got treated, but they keep coming back.
Sometimes, despite the treatment, the bacteria causing the heat boils, stay or reside in certain areas of the body. They surface again in certain circumstances when the body’s immunity is low, like during an infection. In this case, longer treatment is required (between 4 and 6 months), which typically has only oral and topical antibiotics prescribed by a skin specialist in Powai.
How to deal with post-boil scars and marks
Once a severe heat boil or abscess heals, it can, unfortunately, leave behind stubborn dark patches (hyperpigmentation) or textured scars. While the active infection requires medical attention, the aftermath can be safely treated by a qualified cosmetologist in Mumbai.
Depending on the type of scar left behind, your doctor might recommend various aesthetic procedures. For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a customised skin lightening treatment in Mumbai or an advanced laser skin treatment in Mumbai can help restore an even skin tone. During your consultation, your doctor can provide a breakdown of the laser for pigmentation cost based on the size of the affected area.
Alternatively, exfoliating treatments are highly effective for removing dark spots. Your dermatologist can guide you on the chemical peel cost and overall skin peel treatment cost suitable for your specific skin type.
If a large boil has left a pitted or indented scar, skin remodelling is the best approach. You can discuss the microneedling treatment cost or the laser skin resurfacing cost with your clinic to find a solution that smooths your skin texture and helps you regain your confidence.
This article is one in a series of articles on common skin conditions by Dr Sejal Saheta, MD, DNB – Dermatology and Venereology at InUrSkn, a skin and hair clinic in Mumbai. The objective of this series is to educate the reader and help them take precautions against various skin conditions they come across on an everyday basis. These articles are not meant to be used by patients for self-diagnosis or for avoiding proper medical treatment.
We are happy to be a part of your journey to reach your health goals. If you think we have been able to help you, please do review us: On Practo: https://prac.to/vkpj | On Google : https://goo.gl/zHfACo
Call us
Book Appointment
Enquire
Location
