There are many different types of boils, but there are two main causes that lead to the development of the different types of boils on your body. The two causes are Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria (sometimes simply referred to as Staph), or a bacterial or toxic condition within the bloodstream.
The more common of the two causes of boils is Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria. This bacterium is spread on the skin or in the nasal passages of about a third of the general population, making it very common.
If staph bacteria manage to get onto the surface of your skin, through a cut, scratch, scrape, break in the skin, or sometimes through a sweat gland, your body’s natural immune system kicks in. will activate to send infection fighting white blood cells to attack. bacteria and fight infection. These white blood cells are called neutrophils.
The neutrophils attacking the infection will cause the skin to become inflamed, which in turn will cause a boil to develop. The boil will fill with white blood cells, bacteria and skin to form the head of the boil (the pustule as it is known), the yellowish white substance inside the pustule is known as pus.
If you have a weakened immune system, this can encourage boils to develop, and your body won’t be able to fight the infection as well as someone with a healthy immune system. If your immune system is weakened, this may be due to a number of factors, such as an unhealthy lifestyle (lack of sleep, stress, lack of exercise, or an unhealthy and unbalanced diet), or it may be due to a serious illness . long-term illness such as diabetes or cancer.
Boils occur in people of all ages, however they are most often found in adolescents and young adults. If you suffer from a skin condition such as eczema, you may be more likely to develop boils. This is because the skin can break very easily, allowing bacteria to penetrate deep beneath. Others who are more likely to develop boils include those who naturally carry the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus (or have a close family member who is a carrier) and also those who are considered clinically obese.
Boils often develop on parts of the body where the skin is oily or sweaty or where there is a lot of rubbing, such as the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and groin area.
