What are the Causes of Boils on Back and Its Treatments

Boils on Back

Boils are localized infections of the skin that usually appear as tender and reddened areas. After a while, the edges will firm and harden, while the centers soften and become filled with white blood cells that fight infection. These cells, combined with proteins and bacteria that have caused the infection, are generally known as pus.

Full growth of a boil is characterized by the formation of a head or a bump filled with pus. The pus enclosed within a tissue is referred to as an abscess. It is because of this trait that a boil is commonly termed as a skin abscess. This skin abscess can grow in any part of the body including the back area.

Boils can afflict anyone regardless of age and sex. However, those who have medical conditions that weaken the immune system, including people who are taking medications that alter the normal functioning of the immune system, have higher risks of forming skin abscess.

What Causes Boils on Back

Boils are commonly caused by bacterial infection, specifically a bacterium of the staphylococcal strain.

There are also a multitude of factors that contribute to susceptibility to bacterial infection which lead to boil formation on the back. These factors include the following:

• Skin-related aberrations. These include ingrown hair, foreign object stuck in the skin or a splinter, any wound formed by cuts or scrapes, and acne. Any form of broken skin can harbor the growth of pus-forming bacteria.

• Diabetes. Patients who have this condition have higher risks of having boils in any part of the body especially when the condition is being treated by insulin injections.

• Drug abuse and alcoholism

• Low maintenance and improper observance of personal hygiene.

• Exposure to greasy and oily substances such as petroleum.

• Disorders of the immune systems such as HIV infection

• Allergies

• Patients with recurrent skin infections.

• Consuming too much sugary foods which include desserts and fruits that have high levels of sugar.

• Certain medications that prevent the immune system from properly functioning like agents used in chemotherapy.

Boils on Back Treatment

• A small boil may heal by itself without further treatment. Covering the boil with a clean cloth soaked in hot water for 30 minutes 3 times a day can help manage pain.

• Boils that are larger in size are usually treated by removing the pus. This is done by a doctor who uses a syringe to drain the pus out. There are times when an incision is needed for proper drainage. Once the pus is removed, the skin usually heals quickly.

• Antibiotics are often prescribed to kill the bacteria that caused the infection and prevent it from coming back. This is true for recurring boils.