Skin
Medicines for Boils (furuncles)
Painful, pus-filled bacterial infections of a hair follicle — usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus — that appear as a red, tender lump which comes to a head; most small boils settle on their own with warm compresses and good hygiene, with antibiotics reserved for spreading infection, fever or boils on the face.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Boils (furuncles)?
A boil, or furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled infection that starts deep in a hair follicle and the surrounding skin, most often caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It begins as a red, firm, tender lump that gradually grows, becomes more painful and then "comes to a head" as a yellow or white centre of pus forms.
- How it is treated: The aim is to let the boil drain and heal while preventing the infection from spreading.
- Self-care: Applying a warm, moist compress several times a day to ease pain and encourage drainage, keeping the area and your hands clean, covering a draining boil with a clean dressing, and not sharing towels, flannels or razors all help a boil heal and stop it spreading; avoid squeezing or picking at it.
- When to seek help: See a clinician promptly if a boil is on your face or near your eye, if the redness is spreading out into the surrounding skin, if you develop a fever or feel generally unwell, or if the boil is very large, extremely painful or several have joined together into a carbuncle — these need assessment and may need antibiotics or draining by a professional.
What it is
A boil, or furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled infection that starts deep in a hair follicle and the surrounding skin, most often caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It begins as a red, firm, tender lump that gradually grows, becomes more painful and then "comes to a head" as a yellow or white centre of pus forms. Boils most commonly appear on areas where there is friction, sweat or hair — such as the neck, face, armpits, buttocks and thighs. When several boils cluster together and join up into a larger, deeper area of infection, this is called a carbuncle, which tends to be more painful and may cause feeling generally unwell. Most single boils are not serious and clear up on their own once they drain, but some need treatment, and people who keep getting them may have an underlying reason — such as diabetes or carrying the bacteria on their skin — that is worth looking into. Knowing how to care for a boil safely, and when it needs medical attention, helps it heal well and lowers the risk of the infection spreading.
How it is treated
The aim is to let the boil drain and heal while preventing the infection from spreading. Most small boils settle by themselves: applying a warm, moist compress several times a day eases pain, brings the boil to a head and encourages it to burst and drain naturally, after which it usually heals over the following days. Good hygiene is central — keeping the area clean, washing hands before and after touching it, and covering a draining boil with a clean dressing to stop the pus contaminating skin or other people. It is important not to squeeze, pick or burst a boil yourself, as this can push the infection deeper and spread it. A topical antibiotic or antiseptic may be used to help, particularly to reduce bacterial carriage. Oral antibiotics, such as flucloxacillin, are reserved for situations where there is spreading redness around the boil (cellulitis), a fever or feeling unwell, or where the boil is on the face — all of which need prompt assessment. A large boil or a carbuncle that will not drain may need to be lanced and drained by a clinician. Where boils keep coming back, it is sensible to check for an underlying cause such as diabetes or skin carriage of the bacteria.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Boils (furuncles)
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Boils (furuncles)
Boils (furuncles) can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Applying a warm, moist compress several times a day to ease pain and encourage drainage, keeping the area and your hands clean, covering a draining boil with a clean dressing, and not sharing towels, flannels or razors all help a boil heal and stop it spreading; avoid squeezing or picking at it. Washing regularly, especially after sweating, and managing conditions such as diabetes help reduce the chance of further boils.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a clinician promptly if a boil is on your face or near your eye, if the redness is spreading out into the surrounding skin, if you develop a fever or feel generally unwell, or if the boil is very large, extremely painful or several have joined together into a carbuncle — these need assessment and may need antibiotics or draining by a professional. Also seek advice if a boil has not started to improve after about a week, if it keeps coming back, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, as these raise the risk of complications and may point to an underlying cause worth investigating. Do not try to lance or squeeze a stubborn boil yourself.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Boils (furuncles): frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for boils?
Most small boils need no medicine at all — warm compresses, good hygiene and time are enough, and the boil drains and heals on its own. Where treatment is needed, a topical antibiotic or antiseptic may help, particularly to reduce carriage of the bacteria on the skin in people who get recurrent boils. Oral antibiotics, such as flucloxacillin, are reserved for boils with spreading redness around them (cellulitis), a fever or feeling unwell, or boils on the face. A large boil or carbuncle that will not drain may need lancing by a clinician. Antibiotics treat the spread of infection rather than replacing the need for the boil to drain.
Should I squeeze or burst a boil?
No. Squeezing, picking or trying to burst a boil yourself can push the infection deeper into the skin and spread the bacteria to surrounding skin or to other people, and it can make things worse rather than better. The safer approach is to apply a warm, moist compress several times a day, which eases pain and encourages the boil to come to a head and drain naturally. Once it does drain, keep the area clean, cover it with a clean dressing and wash your hands carefully. If a boil is large, very painful or will not drain, a clinician can lance and drain it safely.
When do boils need antibiotics?
Many boils do not need antibiotics, because they drain and heal on their own with warm compresses and good hygiene. Oral antibiotics are reserved for specific situations: when the redness is spreading out into the surrounding skin (a sign of cellulitis), when there is a fever or you feel generally unwell, or when the boil is on the face, where infection can be more serious. A topical antibiotic or antiseptic may be used in recurrent cases to reduce bacteria carried on the skin. If you think your boil falls into one of these categories, seek prompt medical advice rather than waiting.
Why do I keep getting boils?
Recurrent boils are worth looking into, because they can point to an underlying reason rather than just bad luck. Common contributors include carrying Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin or in the nose, friction and sweating, and conditions that affect the immune system such as diabetes. Repeated tender lumps in areas like the armpits or groin can sometimes be a different skin condition altogether. If boils keep returning, a clinician can check for causes such as diabetes or bacterial carriage and advise on measures — including good hygiene and sometimes a topical antibiotic or antiseptic — to reduce how often they come back.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Boils, carbuncles, and staphylococcal carriage.
- British Association of Dermatologists: Boils and carbuncles.
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