Boils on Arms: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

These red swollen lumps on arms that fill with puss are called boils. These are bacterial skin infections that begin as small, hard, red bumps that quickly become larger and more painful. As the boil grows, it fills with pus and may eventually burst, draining the pus. Boils are most commonly caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep).

Symptoms of boils

In addition to the red, swollen, and painful bumps, other symptoms of boils may include:

- Fever

- Chills

- Fatigue

- Headache

- Muscle aches

Treatment of boils

Treatment for boils typically involves draining the pus and applying antibiotics. In some cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection. Home remedies, such as applying warm compresses or soaking the boil in Epsom salt water, can also be helpful.

Prevention of boils

There are a few things you can do to help prevent boils, including:

- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water

- Keeping your skin clean and dry

- Avoiding touching or scratching any open wounds

- Using a barrier cream, such as petroleum jelly, to protect your skin from friction

- Getting vaccinated against staph and strep infections