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Suggest Treatment For Boils Caused By Staph Infection

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: I have staph resulting in boils on upper back-being treated by 900mg cleocin per day, but boil seems to be spreading. What next and does it need immediate attention?
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Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
you should wait for minimum 3 days for antibiotic to work.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

A boil is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected with bacteria especially staphylococcus.

Can you send me the clinical picture of that boil as there is a feature to upload images on the right side of query page.

It would be helpful for me to understand it properly.

In case of smaller boils,proper oral antibiotics course (preferably cephalosporins like cefadroxyl or cefixime) will be the best treatment to get rid off it.

You have been given cleocin (clindamycin) 300 mg three times a day which is also a good antibiotic in the treatment of staphylococcal boil but it may take at least 3 to 5 days to get rid off, if that boil is smaller in size (less than 3 or 4 cm).

After 2 or 3 days of antibiotic course,that boil might start draining of pus, you can let the pus to drain by squeezing it repeatedly and wash it with sterile water until all the pus get cleared or blood starts coming.

After that,you can apply any antiseptic over the it and can do self dressing with bandage or gauze piece.

In case of larger boils (means more than 3 to 4 cm size),it needs to be incised and drained (I & D procedure) completely under local anesthesia by a surgeon followed by short course of antibiotics.

So,at present you should wait for minimum 3 days for antibiotic to work and draining of pus.

Hope this information will help you and get back to me with images.

Regards,

Dr.sandipkabra




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (16 hours later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
looks to be cellulitis turning into boil.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up,

I have seen the picture you uploaded.

It looks to be cellulitis turning into boil.If you will touch that red skin by back of hand,it will be slight warm as compared to normal skin which is a sign of cellulitis.

Continue taking oral antibiotics for 5 days full course.After that there will be pus collection inside and most probably the boil will burst out by itself and the allow the pus to drain from the punctum (yellow depression in the center).

You can also take ibuprofen (Motrin 400 mg) 2 or 3 times daily to reduce inflammation.

This boil is small,so it can be managed by oral antibiotics only.No need to worry.

Hope this will help and if you need more clarification then feel free to ask me.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Boils Caused By Staph Infection

Brief Answer: you should wait for minimum 3 days for antibiotic to work. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to health care magic, A boil is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected with bacteria especially staphylococcus. Can you send me the clinical picture of that boil as there is a feature to upload images on the right side of query page. It would be helpful for me to understand it properly. In case of smaller boils,proper oral antibiotics course (preferably cephalosporins like cefadroxyl or cefixime) will be the best treatment to get rid off it. You have been given cleocin (clindamycin) 300 mg three times a day which is also a good antibiotic in the treatment of staphylococcal boil but it may take at least 3 to 5 days to get rid off, if that boil is smaller in size (less than 3 or 4 cm). After 2 or 3 days of antibiotic course,that boil might start draining of pus, you can let the pus to drain by squeezing it repeatedly and wash it with sterile water until all the pus get cleared or blood starts coming. After that,you can apply any antiseptic over the it and can do self dressing with bandage or gauze piece. In case of larger boils (means more than 3 to 4 cm size),it needs to be incised and drained (I & D procedure) completely under local anesthesia by a surgeon followed by short course of antibiotics. So,at present you should wait for minimum 3 days for antibiotic to work and draining of pus. Hope this information will help you and get back to me with images. Regards, Dr.sandipkabra