10 Causes of Boils and Their Symptoms, Prone to Occur in Skin Folds

Kapanlagi.com - Boils are skin problems characterized by the appearance of lumps, pain, and swelling. The cause of boils is often associated with the consumption of certain foods that can potentially increase the risk of boils. However, there are other factors that can cause someone to develop boils on their skin.

Boils occur when the skin develops red lumps filled with pus and feels painful due to swelling. Boils are also known as furuncles and are primarily caused by bacterial infections. These bacteria can infect the skin through hair follicles, causing inflammation and the formation of lumps.

The cause of boils can vary along with their symptoms. However, boils often appear in areas of the body that are prone to sweating. Some areas of the body that are vulnerable to boils include the armpits, folds of the skin, groin, inner thighs, and others. However, boils can also appear on any area of the body, such as the thighs or buttocks.

Although boils are not considered a serious health problem, their appearance can cause discomfort due to the pain and discomfort they cause. Sometimes boils can even be vulnerable to relapse if they do various things that are rarely realized by many people.

That's why it's important to understand the causes of boils that can attack anyone regardless of age. The causes of boils are as follows, summarized from various sources.

1. Bacterial Infection

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The first cause of boils can occur due to bacterial infection. Quoting from webmd.com, a bacterial infection called staphylococcus aureus can attack anyone through hair follicles, injured skin, or bacterial irritation can enter and infect the skin. As a result, the skin becomes inflamed and forms a boil filled with pus and feels painful. In addition, the infection can cause the skin around the boil to become red, feel warm, and swollen.

This bacterial infection is the main cause of someone being prone to boils. Consultation with a doctor should be considered if there is a skin infection that does not heal, including related to boils.

2. Weak Immune System

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The second cause of boils is a weak immune system. This condition may be a cause of boils due to a weak immune system. As a result, the body is vulnerable to diseases and viruses. One of them is the bacteria that causes skin infections as discussed earlier. The immune system is very important to maintain the fitness and health of the body. A strong immune system can protect the body against disease and viruses.

3. Consumption of Oily Food

One of the popular causes of boils that is known by many people is the consumption of oily food. Yes, oily food is often associated with the causes of boils and acne because it increases hormone production that can make the skin follicles vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections.

Moreover, oily food also has negative effects on the body such as weight gain and cholesterol. The cause of boils from oily food can occur if you consume oily food using unhealthy oils such as fast food. Not only boils, but these foods also trigger the appearance of acne.

4. Skin Problems

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The cause of boils can occur due to skin problems such as acne and eczema. Both of these skin problems are known to be vulnerable to boils that can occur in anyone. Because when experiencing acne or eczema, the protection of the skin will be damaged and vulnerable to bacterial infections that cause boils. Consultation with a doctor can be considered if you are experiencing skin problems such as acne or eczema to prevent the causes of boils as early as possible.

5. Direct Contact with Boil Sufferers

Direct contact with boil sufferers can also trigger the body to be vulnerable to experiencing the same thing. This can happen because there is direct contact from skin to skin or objects used together with boil sufferers. Bacteria can spread when there is direct contact with boil sufferers.

Especially if you have injured or damaged skin, it will be more vulnerable to boil bacteria. To prevent this, you can avoid using personal items together, clothes, or towels. Washing hands thoroughly and avoiding touching boils can help prevent bacteria from spreading.

6. Diabetes

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Diabetes can also be a cause of boils. As known, diabetes is a health disorder that occurs due to high blood sugar levels. This condition can trigger the occurrence of boils because when experiencing diabetes, the body may also experience disruptions in skin follicles. Quoting from mayoclinic.org, diabetes can also make the body vulnerable to infections, including bacterial infections that cause boils. Further examination is needed if boils are caused by diabetes.

7. Lack of Maintaining Cleanliness

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Lack of maintaining body cleanliness can also trigger diabetes. Because it can cause dirt buildup on the skin and allow bacteria to multiply. This condition is what makes the body vulnerable to various skin problems, including boils.  

In addition, environmental cleanliness also plays an important role in preventing boils. To prevent them, you can overcome them by maintaining personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the living environment.

8. Skin Irritation

Skin irritation can also make a person vulnerable to boils. Irritation can occur due to several factors such as the use of care products, exposure to free radicals, or certain chemicals. When the skin is irritated, it becomes vulnerable to bacteria that cause boils. This condition can become an opportunity for the bacteria to infect and cause a person to experience boils.

9. Fatty Foods

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Fatty foods can also cause boils on the skin. This is because fatty foods can make the body susceptible to skin problems such as acne and boils. The fats that can cause skin problems are saturated fats or processed vegetable oils. To avoid them, you can choose omega-3 fatty acids that can maintain skin health.

10. Boil Symptoms

After understanding the causes of boils, you also need to recognize the symptoms that can occur due to boils. The following are the symptoms that you should know:

- Red lumps that can be as large as 5 cm.

- Red skin color around the lump.

- Swelling of the skin due to the boil.

- The size of the lump increases and contains pus.

- The lump has a yellow or white tip due to the presence of pus.

- Pain and discomfort due to swollen boil.

Those are the 10 causes of boils and their symptoms that need to be understood. Consulting a doctor can be considered if you have a boil that does not heal to get the right treatment.

(kpl/nlw)