Can Stress Cause Boils?? The Answer to this question is ‘YES’ . Some People get boils when they are stressed out or upset for some time. Sometimes boils are even known as ‘stress boils’. After doing research, it is found that it happens mainly due to a depressed immune system.
Sometimes one needs to get it lanced by a doctor when it does not go on its own or even with specific treatment.
That presents a whole other set of issues with the healing. It has to be from the inside out (packing) or else it just closes up and refills and comes back.
Table of Contents
What is a Boil?
A boil is a staph infection in a pore. It is known as a furuncle, which is simply a pus-filled lump that forms under your skin when bacteria get into it and infect one or more of your hair follicles. It will eventually develop a yellow or white tip that ruptures and allows the pus to leak out. Once this happens the pain will disappear as the pressure has been released.
You might start out thinking you have a pimple coming up but the lump will progressively get bigger – up to the size of around 5 cm or 2 inches.
What are the most common causes of boils?
- MRSA:- Boils are very common. They are most often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. They can also be caused by other types of bacteria or fungi found on the skin’s surface. Damage to the hair follicle allows the infection to grow deeper into the follicle and the tissues under it.
2. Tight clothing:- or anything that causes friction in the areas of the lesions may also cause the pores to become more easily clogged.
3. Poor hygiene:- sweat and dead skin cells in natural creases and crevices, such as the armpit, provide a hospitable home for bacteria.
4. Nutrition:- inadequate nutrition may reduce a person’s natural immunity. Broken skin – other skin conditions, such as eczema, can break the skin surface.
What is MRSA?
MRSA(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a nasty type of staph infection that can cause boils. Don’t get afraid of the name. LOL. Simply put, It is a bacteria that lives harmlessly on the skin. MRSA usually appears as a bump or infected area that is red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, or full of pus. Boil can start with a small bump that looks like a pimple or acne. Then it quickly turns into a hard, painful red lump filled with pus.
Not all boils are caused by MRSA bacteria — other kinds may be the culprit. One of the main reasons is Stress.
In this article, we are going to discuss how can stress cause boils and What measures can we take in order to prevent it?
Are boils a symptom of something?
Most boils are caused by staph bacteria. This germ enters your body through tiny nicks or cuts in your skin or can travel down a hair to the follicle. These things make people more likely to get boils and other skin infections: Diabetes, which can make it harder for your body to fight infection.
Can boils be caused by stress?
Yes, stress and anxiety can cause boils. When your body is stressed its immune system is weakened making it more susceptible to infection and less competent at fighting it off.
Hormonal changes in your body due to stress can make boils more likely to occur.
So, now that you know that your stress may indeed be causing your boils, you might have a lot of other questions about these painful lumps too, like what they are and how to treat them. Let’s find out more.
There are a couple of reasons why stress can be the cause of boils. When you are stressed your immune system will not be functioning as well as it usually does. This means that the bacteria that normally live on your skin can easily infect your hair follicles without your body fighting it off as well as it normally would.
When you get itchy skin, you want to scratch it, and this makes it easier for the bacteria to spread the infection. The most common places for stress boils to appear on your body are your face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and shoulders.
Treatment for Boils
- Apply a warm, moist compress (like a clean face washer or bandage) several times a day to help the boil to open and drain naturally.
- Soak in warm water and Epsom salts, use witch hazel to help it heal. Apply pain-releasing hemorrhoid cream.
- Apply warm compresses to relieve pain and promote natural drainage. For larger boils and carbuncles, treatment may include Incision and drainage. Your doctor may drain a large boil or carbuncle by making an incision in it.
It can become life-threatening. So it is the best idea to consult a doctor for advanced treatment.
Final Thought
Boils can caused by stress and anxiety. If you think that you have got boils due to stress then it would be a great idea to address the stress in your life. There are many things that you can do to reduce stress such as Meditation, Social gatherings with friends, reading books, or yoga.
We cannot change our job circumstances or work culture, but one thing we can do is taking care of ourselves to live a healthy life.
I hope you found this article helpful. Your thoughts will be highly appreciated. Do not forget to Share it with your friends and family so that they can benefit from it too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MRSA on the skin look like?
MRSA may look like a bump on the skin that may be red, swollen, feel warm after touch, painful, filled with pus, or draining. Sometimes it goes away on its own.
What can happen if MRSA goes untreated?
What can happen if Boils goes untreated?
If left untreated, or if an antibiotic used to treat it is not effective, an infection may spread. Such an infection may become life-threatening. So it is the best idea to consult a doctor for advanced treatment.
You Might Also Like :
7 Effective Acne Treatment Home Remedies