Boils in Grand Rapids, MI: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Boils are a common skin infection seen in primary care, urgent care, and dermatology clinics across Grand Rapids, Michigan. Understanding what causes boils, how to treat them safely at home, and when to see a doctor at local health systems like Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health can help you prevent complications.

What Is a Boil?

A boil (also called a furuncle) is a painful, pus-filled infection of a hair follicle, most often caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

This bacterium:

  • Commonly lives on the skin and in the nose
  • Is carried by about one-third of people without causing any symptoms
  • Is usually harmless on the surface of the skin
  • Can cause infection if it enters deeper tissues through cuts, scratches, or other breaks in the skin

In Grand Rapids, where cold, dry winters can lead to cracked skin and irritation, small breaks in the skin can make it easier for bacteria to enter and cause boils.

Common Areas Where Boils Appear

Boils can occur anywhere there is hair, but they are more common in:

  • Face
  • Eyelids (called a stye)
  • Neck and throat
  • Armpits
  • Groin
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs

Areas that are warm, moist, or subject to friction (for example, under winter clothing or sports gear used in local gyms and schools) are especially prone to boils.

Types of Boils

Stye

A stye is a boil on the eyelid. It usually appears as a red, painful lump near the edge of the eyelid and may be associated with eye irritation or tearing.

Carbuncle

A carbuncle is a cluster of connected boils under the skin. It:

  • Has several pus-filled openings
  • Is usually larger and more painful than a single boil
  • Is more likely to cause fever and feeling generally unwell
  • May leave a scar after healing

Carbuncles often require medical evaluation and drainage, which can be done at urgent care centers or dermatology clinics in Grand Rapids.

Symptoms of a Boil

A boil typically follows this pattern:

  1. A small area of skin becomes red, inflamed, and tender
  2. A painful lump forms
  3. Over a few days, a white or yellow “head” (pus-filled center) develops
  4. The boil may burst and drain pus
  5. The area gradually heals, sometimes leaving a small scar

You may also notice:

  • Warmth over the affected area
  • Swelling
  • Increased pain before it drains
  • Occasionally, fever or feeling unwell (especially with larger boils or carbuncles)

Who Is at Higher Risk for Boils?

Certain factors increase the risk of boils. These are commonly seen in patients in West Michigan and throughout Kent County:

  • Diabetes

    • Recurring boils may be a sign of poorly controlled diabetes, especially in adults over 40.
    • People with diabetes often have reduced immunity and slower wound healing.

  • Poor hygiene

    • Infrequent bathing or not washing hands regularly can allow bacteria to build up on the skin.

  • Broken or irritated skin

    • Cuts, abrasions, shaving nicks, insect bites, or scratching dry winter skin allow bacteria to enter.
    • Other skin conditions such as eczema can break the skin barrier.

  • Excessive sweating and friction

    • Sweat and dead skin cells in skin folds (armpits, groin, under the breasts, buttocks) create a warm, moist environment for bacteria.
    • Athletes in Grand Rapids who wear tight sports equipment or synthetic clothing may be at higher risk.

  • Weakened immune system

    • Due to illness, certain medications, or inadequate nutrition.

  • Close contact with someone who has boils or MRSA

    • Staph infections, including MRSA, can spread among family members, roommates, or teammates who share towels, bedding, or sports equipment.

Are Boils Contagious?

Yes, boils can be contagious because they are usually caused by bacteria that can spread:

  • By direct skin-to-skin contact
  • Through shared personal items (towels, washcloths, razors, bedding, gym equipment)
  • From touching the pus or drainage and then touching another area of skin

In some cases, S. aureus lives in the nose and can be spread by touching the nose and then the skin. This is why nasal antibiotic ointment is sometimes used in recurrent infections.

Possible Complications of Boils

Most boils heal without serious problems, especially when cared for properly. However, Staphylococcus aureus can cause more serious infections if it spreads to deeper tissues or the bloodstream.

Possible complications include:

  • Cellulitis (spreading skin infection)
  • Impetigo (a contagious skin infection, more common in children)
  • Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
  • Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves)
  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Meningitis (infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord)
  • Septic phlebitis (infection and inflammation of a vein)
  • Sepsis (a life-threatening, body-wide response to infection)

These complications are uncommon but serious. Prompt medical care in Grand Rapids emergency departments or urgent care centers is essential if you notice concerning symptoms.

Self-Care: How to Treat a Mild Boil at Home

For small, uncomplicated boils in otherwise healthy adults, home care can often help them heal.

Do NOT squeeze or pop the boil

  • Avoid squeezing, cutting, or attempting to drain the boil yourself.
  • This can push the infection deeper, cause more pain, and increase the risk of scarring or spreading the bacteria.

Keep the area clean

  • Wash the boil gently with mild soap or antiseptic soap and warm water.
  • Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
  • Use a fresh towel each time to avoid spreading bacteria.

Apply warm compresses

  • Soak a clean washcloth in hot (but not scalding) water.
  • Apply to the boil for about 10 minutes, 3 times per day.
  • Warmth increases blood flow and can help the boil come to a head and drain naturally.

Cover a draining boil

  • If the boil bursts on its own, gently clean the area.
  • Cover it with a clean bandage or dressing.
  • Change the bandage regularly, especially if it becomes wet or soiled.

Practice strict hand hygiene

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the boil, bandages, or any drainage.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Laundry and household hygiene

  • Wash bedding, towels, and washcloths in hot water.
  • Do not share towels, razors, or clothing with others in your household.
  • Clean surfaces that come into contact with the infected area.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids if:

  • The boil is very large or extremely painful
  • There is redness spreading around the boil
  • You develop fever or chills
  • The boil is not improving after a few days of warm compresses
  • The boil keeps coming back (recurrent boils)
  • You have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or other chronic health conditions
  • You suspect MRSA or have had MRSA infections in the past

Boils Near the Eyes and Nose

Boils around the eyes or nose should always be evaluated by a doctor, such as a primary care physician, urgent care provider, or ophthalmologist, because:

  • The veins in this area can carry infection toward the brain.
  • There is a higher risk of serious complications.

Local emergency departments at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health can provide urgent evaluation if you notice swelling, vision changes, severe pain, or fever.

Medical Treatment for Boils

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids will tailor treatment based on the size, location, and severity of the boil, as well as your overall health.

Incision and drainage (lancing)

For larger or more painful boils:

  • The area is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic.
  • The doctor makes a small cut to drain the pus.
  • The cavity may be gently packed with sterile material to help it continue draining.
  • This procedure should only be done by a trained medical professional.

Antibiotics

Your provider may prescribe:

  • Oral antibiotics if:
    • There is spreading redness
    • You have multiple boils or a carbuncle
    • You have fever or other signs of systemic infection
    • You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
  • Topical antibiotic creams or ointments, including:
    • Antibiotic ointment applied to the inside of the nose to reduce S. aureus colonization, especially in recurrent cases

Sometimes, other members of the household may also need treatment if recurring boils are affecting multiple people.

Follow-up care

  • Keep follow-up appointments with your primary care provider or dermatologist.
  • Monitor for new boils or signs of spreading infection.
  • If you do not have a regular doctor, the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health can help connect you with local clinics and resources.

Recurrent Boils (Furunculosis)

Furunculosis refers to repeated outbreaks of boils. In Grand Rapids, providers often see this in patients with underlying conditions or frequent close-contact environments (such as sports teams, group homes, or shared housing).

Evaluation

Your doctor may:

  • Check for underlying disorders, including:
    • Diabetes
    • Immune system problems
    • Chronic skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis)
  • Review medications and lifestyle factors
  • Possibly order blood tests

Treatment for recurrent boils

Management may include:

  • Long-term or repeated courses of antibiotics to clear persistent infection (used cautiously and under close medical supervision)
  • Antiseptic body washes and shampoos (for example, chlorhexidine-based products) to reduce bacteria on the skin
  • Nasal antibiotic ointment if S. aureus is found to be colonizing the nose
  • Strict personal hygiene:
    • Daily bathing or showering
    • Regular handwashing
    • Keeping nails short and clean
  • Frequent laundering of:
    • Bedding
    • Towels
    • Washcloths
    • Athletic clothing and gear

If recurrent boils are a problem for multiple family members, your provider may recommend coordinated treatment for everyone in the household.

Local Considerations in Grand Rapids, MI

Living in West Michigan presents some unique factors:

  • Cold, dry winters can cause dry, cracked skin, increasing the risk of skin breaks and infection.
    • Use moisturizers and protect exposed skin in winter.
  • Active outdoor lifestyle and sports (hockey, basketball, football, running, lake activities) can lead to friction, sweating, and minor skin injuries, all of which can promote boils if not cleaned properly.
  • Community and school sports can facilitate the spread of staph infections through shared equipment and locker rooms.
    • Clean shared surfaces and avoid sharing personal items.

For prevention and community health information, residents can access:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs
  • Educational resources from Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health

When to See a Dermatologist

You may be referred to or choose to see a dermatologist in Grand Rapids if:

  • You have frequent or severe boils
  • Boils leave significant scarring
  • You suspect an underlying skin condition (such as eczema or hidradenitis suppurativa)
  • Standard treatments have not been effective

Dermatologists can offer specialized evaluation, cultures to identify the exact bacteria, and advanced treatment plans.

Key Points About Boils

  • Boils are infections of hair follicles, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that commonly lives on the skin and in the nose.
  • They often occur on the face, neck, armpits, groin, buttocks, and thighs.
  • Most boils will heal on their own, but:
    • Do not squeeze or pop them.
    • Use warm compresses and keep the area clean.
  • Medical treatment (lancing and/or antibiotics) is needed for:
    • Large, painful, or spreading boils
    • Boils on the face, especially near the eyes or nose
    • Recurrent boils or boils in people with diabetes or weakened immunity
  • Staph bacteria can cause mild to life-threatening infections if they spread beyond the skin.
  • Boils can spread within households; good hygiene and frequent laundering are essential for prevention.
  • In Grand Rapids, residents can seek care from local health systems and public health resources to manage and prevent boils effectively.

If you are unsure whether your boil needs medical attention, contact your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or call a local nurse advice line through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health for guidance.