Boils can appear on any part of the body, such as the neck, face, thighs, buttocks, and armpits. Boils can also enlarge and become inflamed to contain pus. If the boil bursts, pus can flow into the surrounding skin area and pose a risk of infection.
Boils can be small or large. Small boils usually don't cause a problem because they go away quickly. Meanwhile, large boils require treatment. For some cases, boils need to be examined by a doctor to find out the cause and proper treatment.
Ulcer Treatment at Home
Boils are often associated with dirty blood when in fact this condition is caused by a bacterial infection. In most cases, boils are usually harmless and will subside on their own.
However, boils can sometimes get worse if the skin is not kept clean or if the boil is touched or accidentally cracked. When a boil breaks, the skin can be injured and allow bacteria to enter the skin more easily.
To prevent boils from bursting and spreading bacteria to other parts of the body, you can perform the following treatments:
1. Compress with warm water
So that the boil opens and the pus can come out, compress the boil using a clean cloth soaked in warm water. Place a towel over the boil, then let it sit for a few minutes. Do it several times a day. The warm temperature can clean the pus and kill germs.
However, pay attention to the temperature of the water used, do not use water that is too hot because a temperature that is too high can cause boils to become inflamed. Don't forget to wash your hands before and after compressing boils.
2. Avoid pressing boils
Do not press or pop the boil on purpose. If broken, the boil can cause sores and lead to a more severe infection. In addition, pressing the boil of course causes more intense pain.
3. Keep your body clean
The key to treating boils before they break out is to keep the body clean. After bathing, you can clean the boil with an antiseptic solution or use an antibiotic ointment. If necessary, cover with a tape to prevent the boil from scratching.
4. Take painkillers
If the boil is inflamed and painful, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol to reduce pain. Use the drug according to the instructions for use and the dosage listed on the drug packaging.
Medical Ulcer Treatment
If the boil gets more inflamed or gets worse, whether it's a boil or not, see a doctor immediately for medical treatment. To treat your boil that has burst, the doctor will provide some of the following treatments:
Prescribing antibiotics
If the boil bursts and becomes inflamed, the doctor will most likely give you antibiotics, either in the form of an ointment or oral medication. Make sure you take antibiotics according to the dose and time that has been determined.
You are also advised to keep taking antibiotics until they run out even though the ulcer has healed.
Perform surgery
If the boil gets worse and is large in size or if an abscess has formed, your doctor may surgically remove the boil.
The doctor will make an incision to drain the pus in the boil. After that, the doctor will give antibiotics. This procedure generally only takes a short time so you don't need to stay in the hospital.
Everyone can get ulcers, but there are some conditions that can make a person more prone to developing them, such as having eczema or scurvy, being overweight or obese, having a weak immune system, diabetes, or poor hygiene.
If the boil bursts on its own and the skin where the boil has grown has stopped being inflamed, this means that the boil has healed. However, if the boil that bursts is painful, drains a lot of pus, or is accompanied by a fever, you should immediately consult a doctor for the condition so that it can be treated appropriately.