Boils facts

• A boil, or skin abscess, is a collection of pus that forms in the skin.
• Antibiotics alone can be inadequate in treating abscesses.
• The primary treatments for boils include hot packs and draining ("lancing") the abscess but only when it is soft and ready to drain.
• If you have a fever or long-term illness, such as cancer or diabetes, or are taking medications that suppress the immune system, you should contact your health care professional if you develop a boil (abscess).
• There are a number of methods that can be used to reduce the likelihood of developing some forms of boils, but boils are not completely preventable.