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What Causes Foul Odor From Broken Boil On Back?
Question: I have a boil in the crease of my back fat...and its starting ti drain but the stuff coming out of it smells horrid....why is this...
Brief Answer:
Dead cells, bacteria produce toxins and substances that smell
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
The stuff coming out of the boil smells because it is necrotic cells/dead cells.
If the boil is painful, red, and area around swollen, it may be also infected, and the bacterias produce toxins and substances that smell.
Make sure that most of the stuff in the boil gets out. If it closes, and it is still big and has stuff on the inside, maybe you will need to see a doctor, who will need to do a cut on the boil, so the opening is big enough to evacuate all the stuff in it.
I would recommend to continue with the hot compresses and the antibiotic. If you start having fever, talk with the doctor who has recommended the antibiotic, so he can do the necessary changes if needed.
Let me know if you have further queries. I would be happy to answer. Otherwise please remember to close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Dead cells, bacteria produce toxins and substances that smell
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
The stuff coming out of the boil smells because it is necrotic cells/dead cells.
If the boil is painful, red, and area around swollen, it may be also infected, and the bacterias produce toxins and substances that smell.
Make sure that most of the stuff in the boil gets out. If it closes, and it is still big and has stuff on the inside, maybe you will need to see a doctor, who will need to do a cut on the boil, so the opening is big enough to evacuate all the stuff in it.
I would recommend to continue with the hot compresses and the antibiotic. If you start having fever, talk with the doctor who has recommended the antibiotic, so he can do the necessary changes if needed.
Let me know if you have further queries. I would be happy to answer. Otherwise please remember to close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
It kinda stings at the opening where it burst...is that infection .....whats the best ointment yo put on it. . . ...
Brief Answer:
Neosporin that you are using, is ok to continue.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
It looks like you are doing the right things.
Warm compresses will isolate the infection, antibiotics will treat it, and when the cure is done, you may need to go to the doctor to open the boil and remove the root/the covering of the cyst.
You don't need any particular antibiotic ointment, because the skin has anyway bacteria, so it will not help much. Neosporin is perfect to use.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have further questions, if any.
Take care.
Dr. Papaqako
Neosporin that you are using, is ok to continue.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
It looks like you are doing the right things.
Warm compresses will isolate the infection, antibiotics will treat it, and when the cure is done, you may need to go to the doctor to open the boil and remove the root/the covering of the cyst.
You don't need any particular antibiotic ointment, because the skin has anyway bacteria, so it will not help much. Neosporin is perfect to use.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have further questions, if any.
Take care.
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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