Breast Boils Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Remedies

Do you have a red, swollen, painful bump under your breast skin? What is the meaning of these bumps and what are their causes? Boil on breast especially those keeps on coming back could be a sign of serious medical conditions i.e. diabetes or heart. This is a bothersome condition caused by hair follicles get infected by bacteria. Get detailed information about causes, symptoms, those under breast and chronic ones as wells as their perfect treatments and preventions

What are boils?

Boils or furuncles are skin condition triggered by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus or other types of bacteria and fungi.  They are a very painful infection of hair follicles. Carbuncles are they happen in clusters after the spread of the infection.

According to Nytimes.com, “Boils may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body.” So apart from occurring on the breast, they are also common on the face, back, neck, armpit, thigh, bottom among other body parts.

Causes

Anybody can develop a boil in any part of his/her body though, persons with certain ailments may be at higher risk than others. On the same note, we must get it all together that knowing the causes on your breast is very crucial for effective medications.  Other factors like their severity should also not be neglected. Here are the commonly common triggers:

1. Weakened immune system

There are various factors that can lower an individual’s immune system hence making his/her skin to be susceptible to various skin conditions. Various medications and certain diseases such cancer and diabetes are known to increase the risk of having lowered immune system. Other factors that can contribute to the lowered immune system include the following:

• Alcohol
• Refined grains
• Chronic stress
• Lack of vitamin D
• Food industries additives and Toxins
• Dehydration
• Anxiety and fear

2. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)

This is an acne related skin condition that has the potential to affect any place in the body including the breast. Healthcentral.com explains further that, “hidradenitis suppurativa is an acne-related skin condition that can manifest as chronic infections (boils) or abscesses around and on the breast.”

It is mainly caused by clogged pores or sweat glands leading to inflammations, swelling, pain, and pus formation. This condition lead is very troublesome especially when it leads to chronic infections. They can appear in cluster or just as a single bump. This condition normally occurs alongside scaring. Below are common factors that trigger HS:

• Hot and humid climate
• Smoking and consumption of alcohol
• Application of birth control pills

3. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is known to initiate various skin conditions including the boils in any place on an individual`s body. This condition usually occurs during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

The use of birth control pills can also surge the levels of other acne causing hormones i.e. estrogen, which may lead to their development. Hormonal imbalances can also be initiated by certain medications.

4. Poor nutrition

Poor nutrition is another factor that plays a greater role towards skin conditions. It also has the capacity to lower an individual’s immune system. Taking a higher amount of sugar and fatty foods can lead to many skin problems. So redefining your diet through the help of nutritionist will be the best way out.

5. Ingrown hair on breast skin

Ingrown chest and areola hair, especially among men and women, can lead to boils on this area. This can be due to wrong or poor shaving technique or be using improper tools during the same process. This can also be due to the fact that, one is having naturally curly and coarse hair that can possibly grow back into the skin. This can lead to acne that later grows to boil.

Shaving the right direction and not cutting the hair too short can help. Using proper aftershave can also help in the prevention when they are due to ingrown breast hair.

6. Poor hygiene

Poor hygiene can lead to conditions that allow the accumulation of dead skin cells, sebum and dirt. These can lead to infected hair follicles when it attracts bacteria. As already mentioned, bacteria leading to the occurrence of this problem on the affected area, be it breast or other parts of the body.

To avoid this calamity, you should make sure you keep higher standards of personal hygiene. This will also banish other bacteria that may favor the occurrence of acne, pimples or boils.

7. Exposure to allergies and irritants

Allergens and irritants can lead to itching, inflammation or burning sensation on the skin. This conditions may make one to develop the urge to scratch the affected area. This may lead to infections leading to formations of small boils which later be bigger. The best way out is to find out the irritants and your allergens and then give them your back.

8. Other triggers

• Wearing of tight and unbreathable undergarment
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Exposure to hot and humid climates
• Chemotherapy can also increase the risk of having them
• Nipple piercing

Symptoms

Usually, a boil starts to develop as hard, red, painful lump just about a half an inch in size. After few days it will become softer, huge and very painful. It will then develop a pocket of pus on the top. Below are the signs and symptoms of severe infections:

• The skin around the area will be red, painful and swollen
• White or yellow centers will
• Weeping, crusting or oozing
• Itching before its development
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sometimes, they may be very itchy
• Boils can be single or occur in clusters on the breast skin
• A fever may follow especially in children
• The area around them often become hard and painful

They may also occur along with other serious symptoms (especially when one develop infected boils) such as fatigue, general ail-feeling or severe pain, reduced appetite and a red streak on the skin.

Examination and test

To carry out the diagnosis your doctor may employ physical examination. This skin infection may have spread to other parts of the body, therefore he/she may ask questions about other parts of the body. The doctor may also like to know whether your breast boil is acute or chronic. A medical study may also be done on the pus or materials from it.

Right, and a proper diagnostic test is very important since it is what will unmask the primary causes and pave a way for proper and effective treatments.

Boils under the Breast

When we talk them being under your breast, it might actually be Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) which is known to affect this area. According to Hidradenitispatients.com, “Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin condition that manifests itself in form of abscesses or boils on and around the breast, especially in the crease underneath.”

Apart from Hidradenitis suppurativa being one of the types that can grow under the breast; there may be other types of boils. So here we are going expound on the HS. Here are the causes of HS:

• Imbalance in sex hormones
• Tight clothing
• Smoking
• Improper application of cosmetics
• Certain drugs
• Obesity

Chronic

One may suffer reoccurring breast boils for several months or years. These types normally occur on the thigh and under the breast. The most known reoccurring boils under the breast is Hidradenitis suppurativa. It can be large and painful to bear. Chronic cases may be due to improper treatments, and infections and they may be running in families so it may be influenced by genetics. You may also develop them if:

• You have the tendency of shaving the wrong way every time
• You are diabetic
• You bear immune disorder
• You take medications that will suppress your immune system
• You maintain poor hygiene

Chronic boils can be very troublesome and may result in serious complications such as blood infections, bone infection and heart infections. The best short-term medication is the use of antibiotics treatments.

Treatments

Treatments will depend on the main causes. As we now all know, they are majorly triggered by bacterial infections; therefore, treatments involving antibiotics can be very effective and dependable.

The antibiotics can be oral or topical but topical antibiotics can be in the form of creams, gels, and lotions. Commonly known antibiotics are Neosporin and Ichthammol. Many antibiotics treatments have got side effects hence one needs to be very careful when using this medication. We also have antibacterial soaps. Still, the doctor may have other treatments options.

Other wonderful cures include lancing and draining.

Relief Remedies

Boils on your breasts can also be treated naturally. We cannot only rely on antibiotics only since there are several natural home remedies that can be used to cure this problem when it is mild. Try these natural home remedies to help heal this problem:

A) Warm compress

Warm compress is among the best remedies to help get rid of pus from the boil. You can do this by dipping a piece of cloth into warm water and then apply it affected the area. To make the procedure more effective, you can add salt to the warm water. Leave the warm cloth for 15 minutes. This can also reduce itching when it is itchy.

B) Tea tree oil

This product is known to have the best antiseptic properties, which can be used to heal many skin problems. Apply one drop of tea tree oil on the affected area to treat it. You can do this twice a day until you achieve your desired result.

C) Onion

This has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and it is very effective treatment. Prepare some slice of onion and place it directly on the affected part. Wrap it with a cloth on the boil so that all the onion juice can really reach the deeper skin. Repeat this three times a day to effectively drain out the pus out.

D) Egg

Egg white is another home product that can really treat the breast boils. You can take one egg then boil it and then peel it. You can then wet the white of the egg and then apply it on the affected part. You can then cover it with clean piece of cloth.

Other effective natural home products that can be used instead of the mentioned products are as follows:

• Turmeric
• Castor oil
• Milk
• Bacon
• Cornmeal
• Cumin seeds
• Black Seeds
• Indian Lilac
• Garlic

How to prevent them?

Some causes can be prevented but not all can be prevented. So instead of spending a lot of money treating them, here are some of the most proper preventive measures:

• Maintain proper hygiene
• Avoid too much consumption foods rich in fats and sugar
• Make sure you use antibacterial soaps during bathing
• Make sure you exfoliate your skin regularly to prevent accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells and dirt
• Always keep your hands clean to prevent bacteria from affecting your skin
• Never squeeze your since the may expound the infections
• Reestablish you diet i.e. include vitamin A, C, and E in your diet. Products such as caffeine can also trigger them

In summary, the seriousness of boils normally depends on what causes them and the responses they were given to the symptoms. Note that home remedies can be used to heal if they are mild cases. Severe breast may demand medical treatments. So make sure you see your doctor when the conditions of your boils become unbearable and cannot be controlled using home remedies or OTC products.

References

1. Boils — Treatments, Causes, and Symptoms
2. Boils (Skin Abscesses)
3. 22 Home Remedies for Boils that Really Work
4. Boils Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
5. Breast abscess
6. Boil Under Breast