If you’ve ever used a pimple patch to treat a breakout, you know how easy they are to use and how convenient they seem. These small, adhesive stickers promise to help clear up pimples by absorbing excess moisture, pus, and oil. But what if you’ve got something more painful and deeper than a regular pimple, like a boil? Can those same patches help with skin conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

In this article, we’ll explore what pimple patches are, how they work, and whether they might work on boils.

What Are Pimple Patches?

Pimple patches are small stickers, often round or other shapes, designed to treat pimples and acne breakouts. They’re made from a special material called hydrocolloid, which absorbs moisture and turns it into a gel. Think of it like a sponge that soaks up liquid. Hydrocolloid helps draw out excess moisture, pus, and oil from the pimple, reducing swelling and speeding up the healing process.

When you put the patch directly on the blemish, it also creates a protective barrier that keeps dirt and bacteria out. At the same time, it prevents you from picking or touching the pimple. Pimple patches are easy to use — just apply them directly to blemishes and leave them in place for several hours or overnight.

Pimple patches can help treat minor, superficial acne or active bumps. However, they’re generally not designed for deeper skin conditions like boils or HS. Understanding this difference is key to managing your conditions effectively.

What Is a Boil?

A boil, also called a furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms when a hair follicle or oil gland gets infected, usually by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

It may be challenging to tell the difference between a pimple and a boil. Keep in mind that pimples tend to form on the face, chest, shoulders, or upper back. Boils are more likely to develop in areas where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. A dermatologist can help you differentiate boils from pimples.

Can Pimple Patches Help With Boils?

Pimple patches aren’t usually effective for treating boils. They’re designed for superficial acne on the surface of the skin that hasn’t fully healed. Boils form in the deeper layers of skin, where pimple patches can’t penetrate. Generally, boils are larger, deeper, and more painful than pimples, and they require specific medical care.

Also, hydrocolloid bandages don’t absorb fluid from the wound. Instead, the fluid stays under the bandage and forms a soft gel. When treating a boil at home, it’s important to make sure it drains well. If the bandage slows the drainage process, your boil may not heal as quickly.

What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa is an ongoing skin condition that causes painful lumps, bumps, or abscesses to form under the skin. Unlike pimples, which develop when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, HS results from inflammation and blocked hair follicles and sweat glands. It most often shows up where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts.

While pimples are typically small and confined to the surface of the skin, HS can form deep, painful lumps or abscesses beneath the skin. They then develop on top of the skin as boils or other open wounds. HS symptoms may include:

• Painful bumps — HS lesions often start as painful, swollen lumps under the skin. These bumps may be hard to the touch and can make it difficult to move or touch the affected area.
• Nodules or abscesses — Over time, these bumps may turn into larger, deeper lumps or abscesses that are filled with pus.
• Drainage — HS lesions may burst. When this happens, they may leak pus that smells bad.
• Scarring and tunnels — Without treatment, HS can lead to sinus tracts (tunnels) under the skin. These tunnels can be permanent and difficult to heal.

HS symptoms can get worse over time. If HS isn’t treated, the flare-ups can happen more often and cause lasting changes to your skin.

Can Pimple Patches Help With HS Lesions?

Just like with boils, pimple patches aren’t suitable for treating HS lesions. HS involves deep inflammation and infection that the patches can’t reach. The patches are designed for surface-level pimples. They can’t address the deeper layers of the skin affected by HS.

Better Home Management Techniques for Boils and HS

Although pimple patches aren’t effective for boils or HS, some home treatments can help ease symptoms and prevent skin conditions from getting worse. Here are a few points to consider.

Use Warm Compresses

Apply a warm, wet cloth to the affected area. This can help reduce pain and encourage the boil or HS lesion to drain. Do this for about 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. It can help the boil heal or reduce inflammation in an HS lesion.

Take Pain Relievers

You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These can help with pain and swelling. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you’re unsure about when or how often to take these, ask a doctor.

Keep the Area Clean and Dry

Wash the area with a gentle skin cleanser to help prevent infection. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Don’t scrub the area, as this can cause more irritation.

Avoid Tight Clothing

Wear loose, breathable clothes to reduce friction. Tight clothes can make boils and HS lesions worse because of friction and irritation.

Never Squeeze a Boil

Avoid squeezing or piercing a boil on your own. Doing so can cause the infection to spread and make the situation worse.

When To See a Doctor

If you have boils or lumps that don’t get better with home care, see a doctor. A dermatologist can help you figure out whether it’s pimples, boils, HS, or another condition. They can suggest the best treatment for you and share management strategies to help you avoid skin infections and other complications.

Early treatment can help prevent flare-ups and protect your skin. It can also reduce scarring and long-term damage. Even if your symptoms aren’t severe, seeing a doctor early can help you manage the condition better.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa, more than 46,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with HS.

Are you living with boils or recurring lumps? Have you consulted a dermatologist for diagnosis or treatment? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.