Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Care
Frequently Asked Questions
If bacteria infect a hair follicle on the breast, a breast boil can form. An improperly fitting bra with excessive rubbing, as well as sweating, can increase the chances of developing a breast boil.
This article will review the symptoms, causes, and treatment of breast boils.
dcis breast cancer.FatCamera / Getty Images
FatCamera / Getty Images
Symptoms of a Breast Boil
Symptoms of a breast boil can range from mild to severe. In the beginning stage, a breast boil may be mistaken for apimple. However, with time the boil can become warm to the touch, red, and filled with pus.People with a weakened immune system may develop a deep infection resulting in anabscess. Breast boils are usually quite painful.
Hiradenitis suppurativa(HS) is a disease that is often misdiagnosed as an infected hair follicle or sweat gland. If left untreated HS can form deep, painful lumps that leak pungent-smelling liquid.
Breast CancerAny change in your breasts should be reported to your healthcare provider.Inflammatory breast cancer, for example, can mimic a skin infection. Always get checked before starting home remedies for a suspected breast infection.
Breast Cancer
Any change in your breasts should be reported to your healthcare provider.Inflammatory breast cancer, for example, can mimic a skin infection. Always get checked before starting home remedies for a suspected breast infection.
Breast Cancer vs. Pimple Signs: What to Look For
Causes of a Boil on the Breast
Bacterianaturally live on the skin. If a break in the skin occurs, bacteria can travel down a hair follicle and colonize (reproduce and grow). Theimmune systemsends white blood cells to the area to fight the bacterial infection. The combination of white blood cells and bacteria causes a fluid known aspus.
The inflamed tissue and pus create a painful, red bump. Sometimes the pus drains from the boil on its own, but other times it needs to be surgically drained.
Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) is the most common type of bacteria responsible forskin boils. When it becomes resistant to antibiotics it’s called methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). This type of skin infection can be difficult to treat.
How to Get Rid of Breast Boils
Medical Treatments
Home Remedies
Things you can do at hometo help improve a painful breast boil are:
How to Prevent a Boil on the Breast
To prevent a breast boil from forming, wear a correctly fitted bra made with breathable material. Keep the breasts clean and dry. Plucking or tweezing breast hair can cause ingrown hairs, which can become infected. Try cutting or using an electric razor instead.
Don’t share personal items like razors or towels with others as bacteria can spread from one person to another.Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before and after touching the breast boil.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you develop any of the following symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider:
Summary
Wearing a well-fitted bra and keeping the breasts dry and clean can help prevent breast boils from forming. Never pop or squeeze a boil as it can spread infection. See your healthcare provider for any changes in your breasts.
A Word From Verywell
Having recurrent breast boils can affect your quality of life. Three or more bouts of infection in a 12-month period are considered to be recurrent and must be reported to your healthcare provider.
Awound culturewill likely be ordered to help determine the bacteria responsible for the repeated boils. The results of the wound culture can help your healthcare provider choose the best antibiotic for you.
Although there are ways to decrease your risk of getting a breast boil, there is no certain way to prevent one from forming.
A breast boil will often drain on its own. Never pop or squeeze a breast boil as that can spread infection. Call your healthcare provider if you have a breast boil that does not drain.
5 SourcesVerywell 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.Ibler KS, Kromann CB.Recurrent furunculosis – challenges and management: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:59-64. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35302Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Boils and carbuncles: How are boils treated?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care(IQWiG).American Academy of Dermatology.Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Overview.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Lin H, Lin P, Tsai Y, Wang S, Chi C.Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (Furuncles and carbuncles).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(8):CD013099. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013099
5 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.Ibler KS, Kromann CB.Recurrent furunculosis – challenges and management: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:59-64. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35302Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Boils and carbuncles: How are boils treated?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care(IQWiG).American Academy of Dermatology.Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Overview.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Lin H, Lin P, Tsai Y, Wang S, Chi C.Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (Furuncles and carbuncles).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(8):CD013099. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013099
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.
Ibler KS, Kromann CB.Recurrent furunculosis – challenges and management: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:59-64. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35302Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Boils and carbuncles: How are boils treated?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care(IQWiG).American Academy of Dermatology.Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Overview.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Lin H, Lin P, Tsai Y, Wang S, Chi C.Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (Furuncles and carbuncles).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(8):CD013099. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013099
Ibler KS, Kromann CB.Recurrent furunculosis – challenges and management: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:59-64. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35302
Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Boils and carbuncles: How are boils treated?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care(IQWiG).
American Academy of Dermatology.Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Overview.
Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.058
Lin H, Lin P, Tsai Y, Wang S, Chi C.Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (Furuncles and carbuncles).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(8):CD013099. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013099
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