Do you have a boil that’s causing you pain or frustration? Boils are painful lumps that form under the skin and can appear pink, red, or purple, depending on your skin tone. They are usually caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which gets trapped in your hair follicles and needs to exit through your skin.

Most boils will develop a head. That’s a raised area where the skin stretches over yellow or white pus. This usually means the boil is about to burst and drain, which is necessary for healing.

However, boils can sometimes be more complicated. For people with a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), boils and other lumps under the skin are more common. Whether or not you have HS, you should never try to pop a boil without a head on your own. This includes squeezing it, opening it with a razor blade, lancing it, or trying to open it in any way. Here’s why.

1. You Don’t Want To Spread Infection

Boils are usually caused by infection, and popping them can spread bacteria. This can lead to more boils, other illnesses, or even spread the infection to other parts of your body.

While there’s still a small risk of infection spreading when a boil bursts on its own, it usually drains slowly. This makes it easier to contain the infection and clean the area properly. Popping a boil, on the other hand, can cause infected pus to spray out, increasing the risk of spreading bacteria.

2. It’s Very Painful

Popping a boil, especially one without a head, can be extremely painful. Boils will burst on their own when they’re ready, or they may need medical attention. If your doctor decides to help it open and drain, they will usually numb the area first to minimize pain.

3. Your Doctor May Need To Be Involved

If your boil isn’t opening on its own, you may need to see a doctor. They can drain it in a way that is safer and more hygienic, reducing the risk of spreading the infection. Your healthcare provider will likely numb the area and use a sterile tool, like a scalpel, to make a small opening in the boil.

Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection and keep it from coming back. In some cases, they might send a sample of the boil’s contents to a lab to identify the bacteria and make sure you’re getting the most effective treatment.

4. You May Have Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Another reason not to pop a boil without a head is that it might not be a simple boil. You may have another condition, like hidradenitis suppurativa, instead. HS often causes painful lumps in places where skin rubs together. This includes under your arms, under your breasts, between your legs, or around your buttocks.

In hidradenitis suppurativa, small painful lumps appear. Sometimes, blackheads appear early in the disease. The lumps stay for extended periods of time. Sometimes, the lumps grow larger or connect through tunnels that form under your skin, filling with blood and pus before eventually draining.

If you do have HS, trying to pop one of these lumps, bumps, or boils can make things worse. If you suspect HS or want to rule it out, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a dermatology expert for a proper diagnosis and medical treatment.

Caring for a Boil at Home

When you’re caring for a boil at home, heat can help quite a bit. In fact, warm compresses are recommended as home remedies both for boils caused by infection and painful lumps caused by hidradenitis suppurativa. Any type of warm compress can help. You can soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and hold it over the affected area for 10 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can stand in a warm shower and let the water run over the boil.

Heat helps in several ways. For regular boils, applying heat increases the flow of blood to the area. This brings more white blood cells there, which help fight the infection faster. In hidradenitis suppurativa, the heat can help the lumps drain more easily.

If your boil bursts at home, cover it quickly with a sterile bandage to protect it and keep the infection from spreading. Clean the area gently, and monitor it like you would any other open wound. Wash your hands afterward to help keep yourself and others safe. When cleaning and drying the area where the boil was, always use fresh cloths and towels to prevent spreading bacteria.

Talk to a Healthcare Professional About Your Boil

If you have a boil that isn’t resolving, talk to a doctor or a dermatology expert right away. You should seek need medical attention if:

• You have several boils in one area (called a carbuncle).
• You develop a secondary infection, like cellulitis.
• You’re in severe pain.
• You have a high fever along with your boil.
• The boil is on your face.

You should also see a doctor if your boil keeps coming back. This could mean you’re carrying an infection and need antibiotics to clear it completely. Recurring boils might also indicate an underlying condition, like diabetes, or the need to improve your personal and home hygiene habits.

If you think you might have HS, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a dermatologist who can help you get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Talk With Others Who Understand

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

Have you ever been tempted to pop a boil without a head? Did you talk to your doctor first? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.