Boils on arms

I was wondering whether or not the reason I am getting a sudden onset of boils occurring only on my arms is because I switch jobs from being behind a desk to working as an auto mechanic whether or not with the fact that the potential for me to get small cuts and scrapes when working that although I was my arms off immediately and clean the wound out and cover it that despite that i still get a boil even though I wash and cover it with antibacterial cream when I get home and get in the shower if coolant or some other fluid could be causing the boils cause the doctors say I am healthy as a horse. I smoke on occasion and I drink rarely 2 times a year. I have done everything to prevent them but they show and last maybe 1 day before they rupture.

Boils

Boils, also known as a folliculitis occur as a result of infected hair follicles. They are very common causing localised pain, swelling, redness, pustule formation and occasionally fever. They can occur on any part of the body, although most commonly on the torso and arms.

The boil is caused by an infection called Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is normally found on the skin and gets in to a broken hair follicle where it multiplies causing the infection.

Boils are most common in people that are overweight, sweaty or have low immunity. They are sometimes seen in people with undiagnosed diabetes and it is always worth having this checked if you suffer from multiple boils. You are at increased risk because of sweating and potential damage to skin follicles.

Treatment of boils is usually with antibacterials, sometimes administered by mouth as antibiotics if multiple boils are an issue. If large, relieving the pus by lancing it can help.




My name is Dr Peter Thatcher MBBS, MRCPI and I am a consultant physician and gastroenterologist in the UK. I have an interest in internet based medicine and administer this site in my spare time. I hope you find this site useful and informative. If you have any suggestions, please Contact Me or if you would like to comment on my site, please do so by Clicking Here. If you like the site and would like to make a donation to support what I am doing please do so by Clicking Here. Thank you for visiting and please drop by again!