Cellulitis Vs. Boil Q&A

With a lack of proper care or if the infection spreads, a boil is capable of causing cellulitis. Boils are superficial bacterial infections of the skin that present with a layer of skin over fluid.
 
Cellulitis affects deeper layers of the skin and if a boil is left untreated it can lead to cellulitis. Additionally, if there is a break in the skin around the boil that allows bacteria to enter, cellulitis may occur.
 
Boils themselves may not be much cause for concern but their potential link to the development of cellulitis means they should not be ignored. Cellulitis is a potentially dangerous condition capable of occurring with any break in the skin that allows bacteria to enter deeper layers.
 
Cellulitis is capable of spreading quickly in instances where it is left untreated, which comes with the risk of a wide range of potentially serious complications. Cellulitis can lead to abscess formation, chronic complications, and in rare cases even life-threatening conditions.

Cellulitis and boils can both vary in levels of severity and can range from mild to serious health issues. In some cases, boils can even go away on their own and cellulitis is typically easily treated with antibiotics at home. However, patients must monitor these conditions for warning signs that may indicate cause for concern.
 
By visiting Express Healthcare LLC Corp for any concerns regarding cellulitis and boils patients can receive prompt and effective treatment and avoid the risk of complications.
 
Boils are typically not a cause for concern but when they grow large or do not respond to at-home treatment remedies they may be problematic. When boils are recurring or present alongside severe pain, seeking out medical attention is highly recommended. If boils are accompanied by signs of infection including fever, the presence of pus, and more, medical attention is necessary.
 
The presence of worsening symptoms such as increased redness at the site or the onset of fever and chills in cellulitis may indicate a deterioration of the infection.
 
Individuals with pre-existing conditions are at a heightened risk of more severe complications related to cellulitis and should diligently monitor their symptoms, seeking medical care accordingly.

Boils and cellulitis are both skin conditions that can present similarly; however, they have distinct characteristics. Boils typically impact the surface level of the skin while cellulitis is more prone to infecting deeper layers. Boils, on their own, usually do not raise significant concern; however, there is the potential for them to worsen, recur intermittently, or even progress to cellulitis, which can open the door to serious health risks.
 
Cellulitis will typically require antibiotics for treatment; however, more severe cases can lead to more extensive treatment methods sometimes even involving a hospital stay.
 
Boils will typically present on the face, armpits, neck, or thighs while cellulitis is most common on the lower legs, however, it can present anywhere on the body.
 
Boils can often present as a superficial concern that may go away over time however, the best course of action for both boils and cellulitis is prompt diagnosis and treatment to minimize the risk of complications.

The exact treatment method for addressing cellulitis in a boil will vary according to the severity and specific nature of each patient’s condition. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection and will typically respond to oral antibiotics.
 
Severe cases of cellulitis may necessitate the intravenous (IV) administration of antibiotics if the front-line treatments are unsuccessful.
Beyond administering antibiotics, attention will be directed towards wound care, with a specific emphasis on maintaining cleanliness to prevent the exacerbation of the infection.
 
Patients may also take over-the-counter pain relievers depending on their level of discomfort and apply a warm compress to the affected area.

Express Healthcare LLC Corp provides urgent care treatment for both cellulitis and boils. Our board-certified Dr. Jamal Fadul, M.D. FAAFP and his experienced team offer Cellulitis and boil treatment at Express Healthcare. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4701 Melbourne Place College Park, MD 20740. We serve patients from College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Berwyn Heights MD, White Oak MD, Seabrook MD, Laurel MD, Springdale MD, Mitchellville MD and surrounding areas.