Stress Boils

Stress Boils

Stress boils are related to a weak immune system.

Wikipedia defines a boil as a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle most commonly caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It results in a painful swollen area on the skin as a result of pus accumulation and dead tissue.
Ok, but how is stress involved in boils genesis?

As we said, boils are caused most often by bacteria, present on the skin. They begin to colonize in the hair follicles and cause inflammation when they become too many. However many people may have staphylococci on their skin and only some of them will get boils. Others will not. So what is the important factor which unlocks boils generation?

It is called immune system. The system designed to fight external pathogens. A strong immune system would never tolerate a colony of bacteria in the follicles of your skin hair.  And here we come to the important point which puts stress into the boils game.

Both strong shocks and long lasting stress require vitamins and minerals to produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These same components are indispensable elements required for a strong immune system. As stress exhausts the available quantities of these water soluble components, it also contributes to a weaker immune system and thus indirectly increases the chances of stress boils.

Other factors for stress boils

People who have family members susceptible to boils are more likely to experience more frequently this painful condition. People who have taken antibiotics or who are anemic, or diabetic have bigger chance for boils.

When do I have to seek medical help?

If the boil is bigger than a pea, you have fever or heavy redness of the skin, it is a good idea to seek professional advice.

Treatment

As we said, immune system has a role to play when we talk about fight with bacteria. Boost your immune system and the likelihood of boils dramatically reduces. The optimal intake of vitamins B complex and C and minerals Zing and Magnesium are of utmost importance for a strong immune system.

A boil would disappear on its own in the less severe cases, however, more often it would need to open and drain. Usually this is supposed to happen within a period of two weeks after they have appeared on the skin. Heeling may be speeded up by applying warm moist compresses. The area must be kept clean to avoid dissemination of bacteria in the neighboring skin. The compress may be applied both before and after the boil opens. Always clean your hands after touching the stress boil.

A doctor may want to cut open the boil to let it drain. Never try to squeeze or cut the boil at home as this will most likely spread the contamination and will make the inflammation worse.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for severe cases of large or recurrent boils or if sensitive areas such as the groin, breasts or arm pits are affected. Antibiotics should be used with care and only if a medical professional has prescribed them as Staphylococcus aureus is a very adaptive bacteria, making treatment difficult.

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