Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Boils

A boil is a deep infection around a hair follicle with a painful red lump and pus. Do not squeeze it; warm compresses may help. Spreading infection, fever or a boil on the face needs assessment.

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A boil is a deep infection around a hair follicle with a painful red lump and pus. Do not squeeze it; warm compresses may help. Spreading infection, fever or a boil on the face needs assessment.

  • A painful, warm lump that is red or darker in colour.
  • Increasing swelling with a yellow-white head of pus.
  • Do not squeeze, pierce or cut open a boil yourself.
  • Apply a clean, warm compress to the area several times a day.
  • Call the same day for fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, red streaks or a boil on the face.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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Further reading

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P
Painful red lump in the eyelidA painful red eyelid lump is usually a stye: an inflamed oil gland near an eyelash. Warm compresses often help. Rapidly spreading redness, fever, pain on moving the eye or reduced vision needs prompt assessment.
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Inflamed nail foldWith an inflamed nail fold, the skin beside a fingernail or toenail is red, swollen and painful. A small wound can cause an acute bacterial infection; prolonged moisture and irritation more often cause chronic inflammation. Pus or spreading inflammation needs assessment.
B
Breast changesA new lump, change in shape or skin, inverted nipple or unexpected nipple discharge is often benign, but may indicate infection or breast cancer and needs assessment. Pay particular attention to changes that are new and persistent; redness with fever needs prompt care, and severe illness with rapidly spreading redness may be an emergency.