Boils are lumps filled with pus that can occur anywhere on your skin where hair follicles can be found, including the skin of your stomach. Clusters of boils are known as carbuncles. Boils tend to occur in areas where individuals have many sweat glands. Boils can sometimes be a sign of underlying health problems.
Infection of the hair follicles are usually caused by bacteria. The bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of boils on the stomach. These bacteria are normally present on your skin and penetrate the skin of the stomach after a cut, scratch or other damage to your skin, causing infection. Boils can also be caused by a weak immune system.
Boils are painful red bumps usually 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter. After the appearance, the boil fills with pus until it bursts. Boils can be accompanied by fever and red lines spreading away from the boil. The red lines are a sign that the infection has spread to your lymphatic system.
According to the experts at MayoClinic.com, most boils resolve themselves without treatment in two weeks. In some cases treatment is required to treat boils or carbuncles on your stomach. Boils on the stomach can be drained by your physician, and he may prescribe antibiotics for reoccurring boils. If the boils are caused by a weakened immune system, your doctor may prescribe medication to bolster your immune system.
If left untreated, boils on your stomach can cause serious complications. The most common and dangerous complication of boils is sepsis. Sepsis is the poisoning of your blood with bacteria. This condition causes fevers, chills and can be life-threatening. Boils can also result in scarring of the skin of your stomach if the cyst is deep enough.
Boils on your stomach can be prevented by practicing good personal hygiene. This means washing your skin with soap, cleaning any cuts thoroughly, covering damaged skin and not sharing personal items such as towels , razors, undershirts and sponges.