Boils and abscesses

Boils and skin abscesses are usually caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus (staph).

Staphylococcus aureus often lives on your skin without causing any problems. But if you have a break in your skin such as a cut, the bacteria can get under your skin and cause an infection.

You are more likely to get boils if you have:

• diabetes
• a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)
• a skin condition such as dermatitis.

Images of boils — DermNetexternal link

Boils and abscesses can appear on any part of your body. 

Boils often start as an itchy or tender spot on your skin. They then form into a hard tender lump or pustule. Sometimes a boil will leak pus. 

You may have an abscess if:

• you have a large painful boil
• the lump is hot, red and swollen
• the middle of the lump might feel soft when you touch it.

If you have an abscess, you may also have a fever and feel shivery. 

Small boils

You can usually manage small boils at home. They will often go away in a few days.

Soak a clean cloth in warm water and hold it on the boil for 10 minutes, 4 times a day. This will help the boil open up and drain.

If the boil opens, clean the skin around it and cover it with a clean dressing until it heals over. Do not use plasters that do not breathe. 

To stop the boil spreading:

• wash and dry your hands before and after touching the boil
• do not pick, squeeze or make a hole in the boil
• wash face cloths and towels regularly in hot water and do not share them with others.

Larger boils and abscesses

These will need to be treated by a healthcare provider.

They will often be able to treat the large boil or abscess by making a cut to drain the pus. But if it is a very large abscess or in a very tender place on your body, you might need to go to hospital so this can be done under an anaesthetic

You may also need to have antibiotics.

Some people keep getting boils. This is usually because the staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin can easily cause an infection when they have any broken skin (such as cuts or scrapes).

You can reduce your risk of getting boils by:

• wash and dry your hands regularly
• having a bath or shower at least daily and more often if you do very sweaty activities
• eating well.

If you keep getting boils, your healthcare provider may recommend you and your household contacts have a treatment to clear the bacteria from your skin. This is known as decolonisation.

Skin decolonisation

Information about what can cause your tamaiti to get a boil and what you can do to care for them.

Boils in children — KidsHealthexternal link