|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| 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.
| |
|
| |
|
| For recurring cases, sufferers may benefit from diet supplements of [[Vitamin A]] and [[Vitamin E|E]].
| |
|
| |
| In serious cases, prescription oral [[antibiotic]]s such as [[dicloxacillin]] (Dynapen) or [[cephalexin]] (Keflex), or topical antibiotics, are commonly used. For patients allergic to penicillin-based drugs, [[erythromycin]] (E-base, Erycin) may also be used.
| |
|
| |
| However, some boils are caused by a [[Antibiotic resistance|super bug]] known as Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or [[MRSA|CA-MRSA]]. [[Bactrim]] or other [[sulfa]] drugs must be prescribed relatively soon after boil has started to form. [[MRSA]] tends to increase the speed of growth of the infection.
| |
|
| |
| [[Magnesium sulfate]] paste applied to the affected area can prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce boils by absorbing pus and drying up the lesion.
| |
|
| |
| *If [[fever]], [[carbuncle]]s, recurrences -> systemic abx vs. [[S. aureus]]
| |
| :*[[Dicloxacillin]] 500 mg po q6h x 10-14 days
| |
| :*Alternatives:
| |
| ::*[[Cephalexin]] 250 mg qid
| |
| ::*[[Clindamycin]] 150 mg qid
| |
| ::*[[Bactrim]]
| |
| :*Abx
| |
| ::*[[Mupirocin]] 2% ointment to anterior nares bid x 5 days
| |
| :::*Eliminates [[S. aureus]] nasal carriage for up to 90 days
| |
| :::*Also effective against [[MRSA]], but 40% recur on maintenance Rx
| |
| ::*[[Rifampin]] 600 mg po qd x 10 days
| |
| :::*Eliminates nasal carriage for up to 3 months
| |
| :::*Consider in patients who have failed other preventive measures
| |
| :::*Rx acute recurrence simultaneously with [[dicloxacillin]] or alternative x 10d
| |
| ::*[[Clindamycin]] 150 mg po qd x 3 months (suppressive regimen)
| |
| :::*Shown in one study to decrease frequency of recurrence
| |
|
| |
| ==References==
| |
| {{Reflist|2}}
| |
| [[Category:Dermatology]]
| |
| [[Category:Infectious disease]]
| |
| [[Category:primary care]]
| |
|
| |
| [[Category:Needs overview]]
| |
|
| |
| {{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
| |
| {{WikiDoc Sources}}
| |