Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Antibiotics Help With BoilsTypes of AntibioticsWhen They’re UsedDosagePotential Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Antibiotics Help With Boils
Types of Antibiotics
When They’re Used
Dosage
Potential Side Effects
Boils, also known as furuncles, are hard, painful, pus-filled bumps on the surface of the skin. They typically appear red and swollen, covering the infected hair follicles and surrounding skin.
Surgical drainage of the boil is recommended for the initial treatment of boils that are inflamed and do not resolve on their own. Antibiotics may be given in combination.
Worsening infections may require antibiotic treatment to help completely clear the infection and prevent complications, such as infections in other parts of the body,abscesses, and permanent scarring.Antibiotics are a common treatment option used to treat the root cause of the infection, which is the bacteria. If left untreated, boils can cause seriousskin infections.
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Type of Antibiotics Prescribed for Boils
Antibiotics are commonly used to treat boils, but they must be prescribed and used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Various antibiotic options, including topical, oral, and intravenous (IV) options, are available to treat boils.
The type and specific antibiotic used can vary depending on the severity of the infection, the kind of bacteria that has caused it, and your medical history. What works for others may not work for you; however, your provider can help determine the most effective antibiotic.
It is important to follow the prescribed antibiotic regimen as instructed and complete the full course of treatment to ensure the infection is effectively treated. Your healthcare provider may take a sample of the bacteria in the boil to determine the best antibiotic to use for treatment.
Topical Antibiotics
Topical antibiotics kill bacteria directly without causing further damage to the skin. They are applied directly to the skin of the affected area.
Topical antibiotics are not typically recommended to treat boils but may be used with other therapies. They are routinely used first-line to treat other types of skin infections.
In general, topical antibiotics may cause skin irritation, dryness, or itchiness in the affected area. These effects are usually minor, and there are no major drug interactions between topical antibiotics.
Oral Antibiotics
They may be recommended for treatment if other signs of infections exist, such as fever, fatigue, and worsening of the infected area. Notably, for oral antibiotics, healthcare providers may collect a culture and evaluate the sensitivity of the infection to determine which antibiotic the bacteria is susceptible to.
First-line oral antibiotics for boil treatment include:
Potential side effects may include allergic reactions, mental disturbances, and diarrhea. Oral antibiotics may be used with other agents to treat boils.
IV Antibiotics
IV antibiotics are injected directly into the body. This allows appropriate amounts of the medication to enter the bloodstream and begin working quickly. IV antibiotics are typically only used in severe cases.
IV antibiotic options to treat boils include:
When Antibiotics Are Used for Boils
Topical antibiotics may be used to treat boils when there is a limited number. They may be used alone or with other medical or non-medical interventions, such as boil drainage.
Oral and IV antibiotics may also be used to treat moderate to severe boils, especially when symptoms such as fever, increased breathing rate or heart rate, lymph node involvement, or other signs of infection are present.
In general, antibiotics may be recommended for moderate to severe infections, repeat infections, infections that have spread, people with weakened immune systems, and people who underwent surgical drainage, but it was ineffective.
Antibiotic treatment may not be effective or recommended for everyone. There are some non-medical ways to treat a boil, soothe pain and discomfort, and prevent infection from spreading at home, such as:
The antibiotic dosage will vary based on the bacteria involved and the antibiotic used.
Dicloxacillin is the preferred oral antibiotic for MSSA strains in adults. Vancomycin is the preferred IV treatment option for MRSA strains in adults who are allergic to penicillin.
Side effects may vary depending on which specific antibiotic you are prescribed. In general, potential side effects associated with antibiotic use include:
Avoid using alcohol while taking antibiotics to prevent additional or worsened side effects.
Precautions to Know
It is important to take precautions to ensure antibiotic treatment for boils is effective and safe.
Antibiotic dosing in children for treating boils is based on weight. Your healthcare provider can help determine appropriate doses. Doxycycline and minocycline are not recommended for use in children 8 years of age or younger.
Be sure your provider knows if you are allergic to any medications, especially any antibiotics. This will help ensure the best, most effective, and safest medication is selected.
Do not stop taking your antibiotic until you have completed the entire duration of treatment, even if you begin to feel better or think the boil has been treated.
If the boil worsens or does not improve following antibiotic treatment, consult your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
Summary
Boils are common skin infections that occur when bacteria infect hair follicles or oil glands. They are painful, pus-filled bumps on the skin’s surface. While some boils resolve on their own, others may worsen and require surgical drainage with or without antibiotic treatment.
Understanding what boils are and how antibiotics can help treat them effectively is important in avoiding long-term complications. If you are prescribed an antibiotic to treat a boil, it is important that you take it exactly as prescribed. Let your provider know if you have any medication allergies, if the prescribed treatment is not helping, or if you develop new or worsening symptoms.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Boils. November 30, 2022.
Lin HS, Lin PT, Tsai YS, et al.Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (furuncles and carbuncles).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;2(2):CD013099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013099.pub2
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat boils and styes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antimicrobial resistance. April 22, 2024.
Cunha BA.Antibiotic side effects.Med Clin North Am. 2001;85(1):149-85. doi:10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70309-6
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