Don't be exchanged, this is the difference between boils and acne
Acne and boils can look very similar. Especially, if both of them don't have "eyes", the white part that is visible on it. Both of them look red and the lump feels painful. Even though acne and boils are different causes and treatments. If at first it's difficult to distinguish the two, you might choose a treatment that is not right. Well before handling it, make sure first the difference in boils and zits below.
What is a boil?
Boils are also called furuncles that arise due to the presence of infected parts of the hair follicles. Often, this infection is caused by staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria will trigger painful swelling. Slowly boils will fill with pus so that the size of the boil enlarges.
Some boils can also grow to form growth and enlargement called carbunkel. This carbuncle is a severe infection that develops from a boil.
Carbuncles are more painful than boils and can leave permanent scars. Karbunkel also sometimes causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, and fatigue.
Acne is a condition where the pores of the skin become blocked. Pores are small holes that deliver oil to keep the skin moist.
This blockage is often caused by excess oil production by oil glands in the skin and the buildup of dead skin cells. Sometimes, the presence of propionyl bacterium acnes bacteria enters the skin and makes the zits become red, sore and irritated.
People often experience a lot of acne during puberty, when the body makes more hormones that can increase oil production to excess.
Acne can appear in various forms, ranging from whiteheads, blackheads, and papules. Some pimples also contain pus that look very similar to boils which also cause pain.
Then, what is the difference between boils and pimples?
Appearance
The difference between boils and zits especially when they are just starting to form actually does look very similar. Both boils and pimples will look red and shaped bumps. However, over time, the growth of boils will be much greater than acne.
Boils will arise from a small size such as the size of an eraser attached to a pencil, and then will grow to a large size. If your zits are very large, chances are they are boils instead of pimples.
Even though both look like lumps, the difference in boils and other pimples is that some boils often appear to swell while acne does not.
Location
Acne often appears on the face, chest, or back. Because, these locations are where the oil glands are very active and can clog pores.
Meanwhile, frequent boils occur in areas where you often sweat or in areas of the body that often rub against clothing. For example in the armpits, groin, buttocks, or thighs. But both can appear on the neck or on the nose and around the nose.
Care
The cause is different, so even boils and pimples have different treatments.
Reporting on the Medical News Today page, boils can be treated by placing a warm compress on top so that it can help reduce pain and can encourage boils to dry quickly.
Non-prescription painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen can also help reduce pain from the onset of painful ulcers.
If treated with a doctor, doctors usually give antibiotic ointments designed to fight bacteria in boils. Or it may be prescribed oral antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading into the bloodstream.
While different from the treatment for acne. Treatments for acne include:
- Wash your face 2 times a day with clean water and facial cleansers that are suitable on the skin.
- Using products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, to reduce oil and build up dead skin cells in the pores.
- Apply moisturizer to moisturize dry skin caused by acne treatments that are being used.
- Exfoliate the skin 1-2 times a week with a soft scrub to scrape dead skin cells.
- Avoid squeezing pimples because they can cause scarring on the skin.
