Bisul (a boil) is a hard, painful lump under the skin that fills with pus, caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle, most often by Staphylococcus aureus. Most boils go away on their own within a couple of weeks. Hold a clean, warm, damp cloth on the boil for 10 minutes four times a day, keep it covered, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, but never squeeze or pierce it. A doctor may need to drain a boil or prescribe antibiotics if it does not improve, is on your face, comes with fever or spreading redness, or if you have diabetes. Boils that keep coming back should always be checked.
What is bisul? Signs of a boil
A boil (bisul) is a deep infection of a hair follicle that forms a collection of pus. According to the NHS:
- a boil often starts as an itchy or tender spot;
- it becomes a hard, painful lump that fills with pus;
- it can sometimes leak pus;
- it can appear anywhere on the body (a similar bacterial infection on the eyelid is a stye; see our guide to ketumbit).
When several boils form together, it is called a carbuncle. Carbuncles are less common and mostly affect middle-aged men.
Bisul or jerawat? A boil is a single deep, painful lump, while acne usually causes many smaller spots, blackheads and whiteheads; see our guide to jerawat. A small, firm, rough lump without pus is more likely to be a wart; see our guide to ketuat. A larger collection of pus under the skin is called a skin abscess; in a tooth or gum it is a dental abscess (see our guide to sakit gigi). Crusty, golden-brown sores that spread, often around the nose and mouth in children, are more likely to be impetigo; see our guide to kudis api.
Punca bisul: what causes boils?
Boils are caused by bacteria getting into a hair follicle. A review of recurrent boils found that the most common cause is Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that many people carry harmlessly on their skin or in their nose. In some countries, antibiotic-resistant strains (MRSA) are a common cause of skin infections, which can make treatment harder.
According to the NHS, you may be more likely to get boils if you:
- have diabetes or another long-term condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV;
- take certain medicines, such as steroids;
- are living with obesity or malnutrition;
- have a skin condition such as eczema;
- have been in close contact with someone who has boils;
- are a man.
Boils are bacterial, unlike fungal skin infections such as ringworm; see our guide to kurap and panau for those.
How to treat a boil at home
Most boils go away on their own. The NHS recommends:
- a warm compress: soak a clean cloth in warm water and hold it against the boil for 10 minutes, 4 times a day, to help it drain;
- if pus comes out, clean the area with antibacterial soap;
- cover it with a dressing or gauze until it heals;
- bathe or shower every day and wash your hands regularly;
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain;
- wash towels and bedding at least once a week at a high temperature;
- try to lose weight if you are very overweight and get boils in skin folds.
Do not:
- pick, squeeze or pierce a boil, as this can spread the infection;
- share your towel with others until the boil has gone;
- go to a swimming pool or gym until the boil has gone, as you could pass the infection on.
Be careful with home remedies that involve applying pastes, leaves or other substances to an open boil. Keep it clean and covered, and see a doctor if it is not getting better.
Ubat bisul: when you need a doctor's treatment
A doctor can check whether you need treatment. According to the NHS, this may include:
- a small procedure to drain the boil and remove the pus;
- antibiotics. A review of recurrent boils notes they are mainly needed if you have several boils or signs that the infection is affecting your whole body, such as fever.
Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else's antibiotics for a boil. Using the wrong antibiotic, or not finishing a course, can make infections harder to treat.
See a doctor if:
- you have had a boil for 2 weeks and home treatment is not helping;
- you keep getting boils;
- you have a group of boils (a carbuncle).
Bisul berulang: why boils keep coming back
Boils often come back and can spread among family members. According to a review of recurrent boils:
- some people carry Staphylococcus aureus on their skin or in their nose, which can cause repeated infections;
- in recurrent cases, doctors may take swabs from you and close family members to find carriers, and may recommend treatment to clear the bacteria;
- good personal and household hygiene, such as not sharing towels, razors or bedding, helps reduce repeat infections.
Recurrent boils can also be a sign of an underlying condition. Ask your doctor to check your blood sugar, as diabetes raises the risk of boils; see our guide to kencing manis.
Bisul di punggung, ketiak and kemaluan
Boils can appear on the buttocks (punggung), armpits (ketiak), inner thighs and groin (kemaluan), just like anywhere else on the body. Treat them the same way: warm compresses, keep the area clean and covered, and do not squeeze them.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). If painful, boil-like lumps keep coming back in the armpits, groin, buttocks or under the breasts, it may be hidradenitis suppurativa rather than ordinary boils. According to the NHS:
- HS is a long-term skin condition that affects about 1 in 100 people, and more women than men;
- it causes boil-like lumps, blackheads, cysts, scarring and channels under the skin that leak pus;
- it usually starts around puberty, is strongly linked to smoking and obesity, and runs in families in about 1 in 3 cases;
- it is not infectious and is not caused by poor hygiene.
HS can be mistaken for acne or ingrown hairs. The NHS says it is important to diagnose it early to stop it getting worse; treatment can include antibiotics, antiseptic washes and other medicines, sometimes from a dermatologist. Losing weight, stopping smoking, wearing loose clothes and avoiding shaving affected skin can also help.
A painful swelling near the anus may be an abscess and needs a doctor's check; for lumps caused by swollen blood vessels, see our guide to buasir.
When a boil is serious
Get urgent medical advice, according to the NHS, if you have a boil and:
- it is on your face;
- the skin around it feels hot, painful and swollen, or redness is spreading away from the lump;
- you feel hot, cold or shivery;
- you have a weakened immune system, for example from steroids or a condition like diabetes.
Also see a doctor about any lump that keeps getting bigger, is hard and does not move, lasts more than 2 weeks, or is in the breast.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is bisul in English?
Bisul is the Malay word for a boil: a hard, painful lump under the skin that fills with pus. It is a deep infection of a hair follicle, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A cluster of boils joined together is called a carbuncle.
What causes bisul (punca bisul)?
Boils are usually caused by bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, getting into a hair follicle. You are more likely to get them if you have diabetes or another condition that weakens the immune system, take steroids, are living with obesity, have eczema, or have been in close contact with someone who has boils.
What is the best ubat bisul?
Most boils go away on their own. Hold a clean, warm, damp cloth on the boil for 10 minutes four times a day, keep it covered, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. If a boil does not improve after 2 weeks, is large, or you feel unwell, a doctor may drain it or prescribe antibiotics.
Can I squeeze or pop a boil?
No. Do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil. This can push the infection deeper and spread it. Use warm compresses to help it drain on its own, and see a doctor if it needs to be drained.
Why do I keep getting boils (bisul berulang)?
Recurrent boils can happen if you carry Staphylococcus aureus on your skin or in your nose, if the bacteria are passing between family members, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Boils that keep coming back in the armpits, groin or buttocks may be hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-term skin condition. See a doctor if you keep getting boils.
What causes boils on the buttocks or groin (bisul di punggung, bisul di kemaluan)?
Boils can appear anywhere on the body, including the buttocks and groin. If painful lumps keep coming back in the groin, buttocks, armpits or under the breasts, it may be hidradenitis suppurativa, which needs medical treatment. A painful swelling near the anus may be an abscess and should be checked by a doctor.
When is a boil serious?
Get urgent medical advice if a boil is on your face, the skin around it is hot, painful, red and swollen or the redness is spreading, you feel hot, cold or shivery, or you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Also see a doctor if a boil lasts more than 2 weeks or you have a cluster of boils.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Boils — NHS
- Skin abscess — NHS
- Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) — NHS
- Ibler KS, Kromann CB. Recurrent furunculosis - challenges and management: a review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:59-64.
