I Remember the Boil

OMG! Not again! That’s all I can say about the latest anomaly that I have gotten myself into. One year after I first contracted boil in the same place (Dubai), in almost the same time (Summer) and exactly on the same spot, well here I go again battling yet another painful and excruciating ordeal to which I feel so completely helpless and surrendered. Just like how I have reacted before, I am puzzled why this has to happen to me. So I have searched the internet about boil and here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it:

Boil or furuncle is actually a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (staph). These staph infections form pockets in the skin that are filled with accumulated pus, a fluid that includes bacteria, dead skin cells and infection-fighting white blood cells. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles.

The symptoms of boils are red, pus-filled lumps that are tender, warm, and painful. A yellow or white point at the center of the lump can be seen when the boil is ready to drain or discharge pus. In a severe infection, multiple boils may develop and the patient may experience fever and swollen lymph nodes.

In some people, itching may develop before the lumps begin to develop. Boils are most often found on the back, stomach, underarms, shoulders, face, lip, eyes, nose, thighs and buttocks, but may be found elsewhere. Boils on the ear tend to be more painful, and can create shooting pain in the entire area when touched.

Boils are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of bacterium that normally lives on the skin surface. It is thought that a tiny cut of the skin allows this bacterium to enter the follicles and cause an infection. This can happen during bathing or while using a razor.

People with immune system disorders, diabetes, poor hygiene or malnutrition (Vitamin A or E deficiency) are particularly susceptible to getting boils; however, they also occur in healthy, hygienic individuals, due to over scratching a particular area of the skin. Boils in the armpits can sometimes be caused by anti-perspirant deodorants. The development of boils throughout the body is also a symptom of smallpox.

Most boils run their course within 4 to 10 days. For most people, self-care by applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water can help alleviate the pain and hasten draining of the pus (colloquially referred to as "bringing the boil to a head"). Once the boil drains, the area should be washed with antibacterial soap and bandaged well.