“Both boils and pimples appear as raised red bumps on the skin. They both may feel hard and inflamed,” explains Natalie Aguilar, RN, dermatological nurse and licensed celebrity aesthetician. She notes that depending on the stage, a boil can resemble a pimple in the beginning phase, but quickly can become bigger and fill with pus. “Boils are a bacterial infection that can affect the hair root, sweat pore or skin opening such as a scratch,” says Aguilar. “Boils usually start small and quickly become bigger. They are dark red to purple in color and fill with white or yellow-colored pus that becomes visible as it expands. Boils are typically extremely inflamed.” She adds that boils can affect any part of the body that has hair and sweat glands. “The most common areas include face, neck, back, thighs, armpits and buttocks,” says Aguilar. On the flip side, pimples are a result of a pore being clogged by excess oil production or a build-up of dead skin and bacteria. They can be caused internally (hormones and foods) or externally (excessive oil, bacteria, makeup, improper skin care, and sweat). “Pimples are the result of a pore being clogged by excess oil production or a buildup of dead skin and bacteria,” says Aguilar. “Pimples mostly affect the face, neck and back. Pimples come in many forms such as blackheads, whiteheads, comedones and papules.”
How to Treat Boils and Pimples
Whether you’re dealing with a boil or a pimple, relief is key to preventing pain and starting your skin on its healing journey. Here’s how to treat each one:
Boils
“To treat boils, you should start with warm compresses to help bring it to a head,” says Dr. Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. The biggest thing: Do not squeeze. “You should not squeeze the puss out of a skin lesion, especially not knowing if it’s a pimple or boil, as the pus in boils can spread and contaminate other areas on the skin,” says Aguilar. “Sometimes several boils form and create a cluster known as a carbuncle. Boils can heal on their own, but care must be taken.” However, if you touch or try to squeeze a boil, Aguilar adds that you should wash your hands, as the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body. “If the boil ruptures or drains, it is important to clean the area with soap and water,” she adds. “I recommend cleaning the area with Hibiclens, an antibacterial and antimicrobial skin cleanser that continues killing germs for 24 hours. It’s important to keep the area clean and dry as bacteria loves moisture. Do not share personal items such as towels, brushes or razors.” Next steps may include antibiotics, incision, and drainage by a doctor if needed, adds Dr. King.
Pimples
For pimples, the first step should be a warm compress as well. “To treat individual pimples, you can ‘shock treat’, which involves a warm water compress for 30 seconds followed by an ice water compress for 30 seconds,” says Aguilar. “Alternating between hot and cold for three minutes ‘shocks’ the pimple to help it heal faster. This can safely be done a few times a day.” Next, try topical ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, adapalene and salicylic acid, says Dr, King. If you’re looking for a more holistic approach, go to your fridge. “For areas with more than three pimples I recommend a full-fat, non-flavored Greek yogurt face mask," says Aguilar. “Yogurt is cooling, pH balancing, its probiotics contain good bacteria, and it contains the most gentle exfoliant of all, lactic acid. This face mask can be done twice a week and is super easy to use. Apply it to a clean face for five to minutes. Rinse and follow with moisturizer and sun care.” Finally, there are also light therapies to try. “Blue LED therapy has also been an effective treatment for pimples,” adds Aguilar. “There are no ingredients involved, it can be done safely at home, and it’s quick. Blue light LED destroys acne-causing bacteria without compromising the skin’s protective barrier.”
How to Prevent Boils and Pimples
To stop boils and pimples from happening in the first place, there are a few things you can do to prevent them.
Boils
“To prevent a boil, wash your hands frequently with antibacterial soaps and use antibacterial gels when possible,” says Aguilar. “Keep skin clean and dry. Avoid close contact with anyone who has a staph infection and do not share personal items.”
Pimples
The best way to prevent pimples is to figure out what’s causing them. “This may mean changing one’s diet, or eliminating certain foods such as nuts and dairy. Stress management can also be beneficial to preventing pimples,” says Aguilar. “Having a good skin routine that balances our skin’s pH is also critical. Changing pillow covers and sheets often as well as trying not to touch your face are helpful to preventing pimples.” Finally, don’t put off seeing a doctor if your at-home therapies are not working. “You should immediately see a doctor if you get a boil near your eyes, have a fever, have more than one, are in extreme pain or if it has gotten worse,” says Aguilar. And a doctor (specifically, a dermatologist) can also help you determine a better treatment for stubborn, painful acne. Next up: Everything You Need to Know About Adult Acne
Sources
Dr. Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York CityNatalie Aguilar, RN, dermatological nurse and licensed celebrity aesthetician
