Boils typically occur on areas more exposed to rubbing and friction—such as your back or buttocks—but can occur anywhere on your body. And this brings us to a very important question, what is your body lacking when you get boils? The most common culprits are lacking vitamins A, C, and E.
A boil is a skin infection that occurs when bacteria enter a hair follicle or oil gland. The condition causes the area to become red, swollen, and painful. A small pus-filled sac may form on the surface of the skin.
Boils are commonly found on the face, back, buttocks, or thighs. When you get boils, it can signify that your body lacks certain nutrients. A bacterial infection usually causes boils but can also result from a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Certain types of bacteria can also cause a boil to develop.
Boils typically occur on areas more exposed to rubbing and friction—such as your back or buttocks—but can occur anywhere on your body.
What causes boils?
So, what is your body lacking when you get boils? Identifying the cause of boils is the first step to understanding this. Boils may result from several reasons. However, bacterial infections account for most cases. The bacteria that most often cause boils are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Viral infections can also cause boils, but these are less common. Sometimes, the problem isn’t bacterial—it’s nutritional. Consuming vitamins and minerals are imperative to the proper functioning of the body. If your diet doesn’t provide adequate amounts, your body can develop deficiencies that lead to boils like this or other skin irritation (including eczema).
Other potential causes of boils include:
- Allergies
- Autoimmune disorders
- Diabetes
- Poor hygiene
- Skin conditions
- Exposure to contaminated water, such as swimming in a pool or lake for an extended period
- Not wearing clothing that covers your skin correctly
- Wearing clothing that is too tight
Read the full article if you’re wondering, what is your body lacking when you get boils?
What are the symptoms?
The body’s immune system becomes weak when it encounters bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, causing boils. Symptoms of boils include:
- Red, swollen, and painful bumps on the skin
- A fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Fatigue
If you think you have boils on your skin, you must see a doctor as soon as possible. Consult a dermatologist if you have boils on your skin to be sure they’re not cancerous.
What is your body lacking when you get boils?
Iron
All humans need around 20 mg of iron per day, depending on their age and health. Your body may be lacking a few different things when you get boils. One of the most common is iron. When your body doesn’t have enough iron, it can’t produce enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to your cells. Without enough oxygen, your cells can’t function properly, leading to skin problems like boils.
Vitamin
What is your body lacking when you get boils? In some cases, it is vitamins that are responsible for it. Vitamin A helps your immune system fight infections and keeps you healthy. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy skin. It helps your skin cells reproduce correctly and keeps them from drying, scaling, or flaking.
A properly functioning Immune system
Finally, you may also be more susceptible to boils if you have weakened immunity. Our immune system is responsible for protecting our body against foreign invaders. It’s a system that fights off diseases and infections. When we get acne or boils on our skin, it’s because the immune system is confused by bacteria and viruses living on our skin. The immune system then tries to fight these things off, but it can’t distinguish between good and bad bacteria. So, it attacks itself instead of the real problem, leading to boils. If your immune system isn’t working correctly, it’s not as effective at fighting off infection, which can lead to skin problems like boils.
How to diagnose boils?
To properly diagnose boils, you must see a physician. A bacterial infection usually causes boils, so your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. However, there are other possible causes of boils, so your doctor will want to rule out any other potential problems.
How to treat boils?
You can treat a boil by increasing your intake of nutrients. Some of the essential vitamins and minerals for treating boils include:
- Vitamin A is crucial for healthy skin and helps keep skin cells functioning correctly, preventing and healing inflammation.
- Vitamin C – An antioxidant such as vitamin C helps protect cells from damage. It also helps the body to produce collagen, which is essential for healing wounds.
- Zinc is vital for proper immune system function; it helps the body fight infection and speeds up healing.
- Iron is necessary for cell growth and repair. It can help heal wounds and reduce inflammation. Many foods contain these nutrients, including fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and fat-free dairy products. Taking supplements can also be an option if you consume more nutrients.
So, if you’re thinking: what is your body lacking when you get boils? Don’t forget to keep the above list in mind.
Conclusion
Boils are one of the most common skin infections and can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable. It’s unfortunately not possible to get rid of boils immediately. You will need to apply an antibacterial ointment or salve to your face if you have a boil on your face. For boils on your body, you’ll want to use a topical antibiotic and hydrocortisone cream. If you have an irritating boil on your face or body, your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics for you; ensure that your doctor knows where the infection is so that they can prescribe the proper treatment.
FAQs
What exactly is a boil?
Boils are small, fluid-filled bumps on your skin and many different things can cause them. An infection may cause a boil, or it could be a reaction to an irritant in your environment.
Why do boils occur?
A boil usually happens when you have an infection, but it can also occur when your skin gets irritated by heat or friction. Sometimes, people will have them for no apparent reason at all.
Are boils contagious?
No—boils are not contagious; however, if you touch someone else’s boil and then touch your skin after touching them (or vice versa), you can transfer bacteria.
Do boils on the skin usually lead to infection?
Bacteria usually cause boils on the skin. Viruses can also cause them, and the symptoms of both boils are similar: they start as small red or white bumps and then grow larger and cause pain.