AS MUCH as we look forward to summer heatwaves, the extra heat – and subsequent sweat – can be troublesome for skin. This might mean rashes, infections and, for some people, boils.
Uncomfortable, unpleasant to look at and often embarrassing to discuss, boils – and variations of the condition – affect lots of people every year, yet are rarely highlighted.
Here's the lowdown on the types of boils to watch out for...
BOILS
Symptoms: Boils – also known as furuncles – tend to look like angry red spots that swell with puss. At any time between two days and three weeks they are likely to burst on their own, and rarely scar if you leave them to heal.
Causes: A mix of hair, sweat and friction are the perfect environment for boils which develop from an infected hair follicle, hence why they usually appear around the neck, groin, face and thighs.
Affects: The NHS notes that teenagers and young adults are most prone to developing boils, however "young males living in overcrowded and possibly unhygienic conditions are particularly at risk".
Prevent them: To avoid getting them, wash thoroughly and regularly, live a healthy lifestyle and clean cuts and injuries with antiseptic.
Treatment: Place a hot cloth on boils to boost blood cell and antibodies, keep the site clean to avoid spreading the infection, if the boil is severe, your GP may need to drain it. Painkillers can help too.
CARBUNCLES
Symptoms: Less common than boils, carbuncles appear over several days, leaking puss from various points and can be more than 10cm in size. You can develop a temperature and feel exhausted.
Causes: The staphylococcus bacteria is to blame, and infecting hair follicles.
Affects: Older and middle-aged men with weak immune systems are most at risk.
Prevent them: As carbuncles are contagious, avoid swimming, wash all bed sheets and clothing thoroughly and keep open wounds covered with sterile gauze.
Treatment: Never squeeze carbuncles and always see your GP as antibiotics are the best treatment.
HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA (ACNE INVERSA)
Symptoms: A long-term skin disease that can be confused with acne, but actually presents itself in the form of abscesses, boils, lumps, cysts, pus leakage and blackheads in the armpits, underneath breasts and in the groin and anus. These symptoms recur and if left, can escalate.
Causes: Unfortunately, the exact cause has not been discovered, but there are indications it is linked with Crohn's disease, might be an autoimmune disorder, and is not related to bad hygiene.
Affects: 1 per cent of the population. It often runs in families and affects three times as many women as men, and is more prevalent in people who smoke, have hirsutism and are overweight.
Prevent it: As the cause is unknown, it is difficult to prevent, but early diagnosis can make all the difference when it comes to dealing with symptoms.
Treatment: There is no cure, the condition can only be managed through medication and in bad cases, surgery to remove the painful lumps.
