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How to Identify Staph Boils
Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria are a germ found on a person’s skin, and they typically cause no problems. But a staph infection can develop, resulting in a boil—a pus-filled, painful bump. They might look like cystic acne lumps, but tend to be more inflamed, reddened and more uncomfortable. In some cases, this bacteria can enter your bloodstream and infect your whole body with an infection called sepsis, which is life-threatening. That's why it's important to identify staph boils early and get them treated.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Look for staph boils around the buttocks, groin or under your arms because these are the most common locations. They can also occur in hairy areas, where you might sweat or have friction.
Boils on Buttocks and Thighs
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Know the difference between a staph boil and other staph infections 1. For example, impetigo also is caused by staph bacteria, but it looks like a rash of large blisters around the mouth and nose. Another type is cellulitis, which looks like an orange peel and occurs on the feet and legs. One last skin-related staph infection is scalded skin syndrome, which is a rash that looks like a raw, red burn.
Correctly identify a staph boil because it looks like a pocket of pus that's red or pink and swollen. It usually occurs in an oil gland or hair follicle. It can be 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter, although the skin around it may also be inflamed or swollen. If it bursts, it may ooze blood, pus or an amber liquid.
Boils & Pain Relief
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Follow the progress of the bump. If it's a boil, it fills with pus within a few days and grows larger, sometimes as big as a golf ball. A white or yellow tip may develop that can burst and drain.
Know the potential outcome. Staph boils often clear up in a few weeks and heal without scarring if they are small. But if they don't heal within that time, they can become deeper, spread and potentially infect your bloodstream.
Warnings
See a doctor if the staph boil quickly worsens or is very painful, doesn't heal in two weeks, you have a fever, you get boils often or there are red lines extending from the staph boil (which means an infection is spreading). You should also call you doctor if you have HIV or any other condition in which your immune system is suppressed.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Staph infections
- Mayo Clinic: Boils and carbuncles
- King JM, Kulhankova K, Stach CS, Vu BG, Salgado-pabón W. Phenotypes and Virulence among Staphylococcus aureus. USA100, USA200, USA300, USA400, and USA600 Clonal Lineages. mSphere. 2016;1(3). doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Cleveland Clinic. (September 2019). Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Infection)
- Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr. Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Sukumaran V, Senanayake S. Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections. Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058
- Bush L. (Modified June 2019). Merck Manual Consumer Version. Staphylococcus aureus Infections. (Staph Infections)
- De oliveira TH, Amorin AT, Rezende IS, et al. Sepsis induced by Staphylococcus aureus: participation of biomarkers in a murine model. Med Sci Monit. 2015;21:345-55. doi:10.12659/MSM.892528
- Harris A (Updated January 2019). Patient education: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Beyond the Basics). Lowy FD, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections Among Persons Who Inject Drugs. Six Sites, 2005–2016.
- Hassanzadeh P, Hassanzadeh Y, Mardaneh J, Rezai E, Motamedifar M. Isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from HIV Patients Referring to HIV Referral Center, Shiraz, Iran, 2011-2012. Iran J Med Sci. 2015;40(6):526-30.
- Chu C, Wong MY, Tseng YH, et al. Vascular access infection by Staphylococcus aureus from removed dialysis accesses. Microbiologyopen. 2019;8(8):e00800. doi:10.1002/mbo3.800
- Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr. Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Romero-gómez MP, Cendejas-bueno E, García rodriguez J, Mingorance J. Impact of rapid diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia from positive blood cultures on patient management. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;36(12):2469-2473. doi:10.1007/s10096-017-3086-5
- Missiakas DM, Schneewind O. Growth and laboratory maintenance of Staphylococcus aureus. Curr Protoc Microbiol. 2013;Chapter 9:Unit 9C.1. doi: 10.1002/9780471729259.mc09c01s28
- Kobayashi SD, Malachowa N, Deleo FR. Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus abscesses. Am J Pathol. 2015;185(6):1518-27. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.11.030
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Deadly Staph Infections Still Threaten the U.S.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Staphylococcus aureus in Healthcare Settings.
Warnings
- See a doctor if the staph boil quickly worsens or is very painful, doesn't heal in two weeks, you have a fever, you get boils often or there are red lines extending from the staph boil (which means an infection is spreading). You should also call you doctor if you have HIV or any other condition in which your immune system is suppressed.
Writer Bio
Lynn Yoffee is a health and medical science journalist who has covered a wide range of medical topics and the business that drives health care for Medical Device Daily, HealthyWomen.org and EverydayHealth.com. She has a Bachelor of Science in communications from University of Tennessee and started writing 1984.