Boils are pus-filled, painful bumps that can form on the skin. Another name for boils is furuncles. If you’ve ever had a boil, you may have wondered whether you can spread it to other people.

Not all boils are contagious. It depends on what causes them. Keep reading to find out when boils can be contagious.

Are Boils Contagious?

If boils are caused by bacteria, the infection can spread through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing items like towels. This is true for boils that are caused by a common type of bacteria that’s found on the skin, called Staphylococcus aureus, or staph.

You may be more likely to get bacterial boils and other skin infections if you have a weakened immune system. For example, people with cancer or those taking medicines that weaken the immune system may be more at risk.

Boil-like lumps can also be caused by a chronic skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). These lumps are not contagious because they are caused by inflammation, not a bacterial infection.

In HS, the body’s immune system overreacts and causes inflammation around the hair follicles. Doctors do not know exactly what causes HS.

Genetics and hormones may make some people more likely to develop HS. HS can cause painful boil-like lumps that often come back and can be hard to treat.

“I was 15 when I first experienced boils in my armpits,” shared a myHSteam member. “I had on-off symptoms in my 20s and 30s, some symptoms of boils in my groin/buttocks/thigh areas also. Now, in my early 40s, I’m experiencing more frequent flares, mostly in the lower region.”

Can You Catch a Boil From a Toilet Seat?

Technically, boils themselves aren’t contagious. But if a boil is caused by bacteria, the bacteria can spread to other people. Staph bacteria can live on surfaces, including toilet seats.

If you come into contact with a contaminated surface, the bacteria can spread to your skin. However, it’s extremely unlikely to develop a boil from a toilet.

Just because you’re exposed to bacteria doesn’t mean you’ll develop boils. In fact, many people have staph and other types of bacteria on their skin all the time. Usually, the body keeps them from causing an infection.

Boils caused by HS can’t spread to others through toilet seats or by other means. Cleanliness doesn’t prevent HS, and HS is not contagious.

Even skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HS doesn’t increase your chances of getting the condition or developing similar symptoms.

Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HS doesn’t increase your chances of getting the condition.

Should You Stay Home if You Have a Boil?

You may not need to stay home if you have a boil caused by infection. It’s important to protect yourself and others, especially if the boil is draining pus.

Make sure any open boils are well covered with a bandage because the draining fluid can spread infection. Draining fluid from an HS lesion cannot spread infection.

Good hygiene and regular cleaning at home and in shared spaces can help prevent staph-related boils from spreading.

If you need to change your bandage at home or in public, wash your hands well and throw the bandage away safely.

At home, using antiseptic cleaners in bathrooms and other shared spaces may help lower the chance of sharing a bacterial infection with others.

You’ll also need to keep clothing, towels, and bedding clean. Wash any sheets, clothes, or towels that come into contact with a boil separately in hot water.

How Are Boils Treated?

Home treatment may be enough for some boils caused by infection. Apply a warm compress for 15 minutes three times per day to help it open up and drain naturally.

You may need treatment from a doctor, especially for larger boils that last more than a week. A doctor can test the boil to find out if it’s caused by bacteria. If so, they’ll prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

Some boils need to be drained by a doctor. Your healthcare provider may lance the boil in the office, drain the fluid, and cover the area with sterile bandages.

Treatment for HS

Self-care for an HS boil is similar to self-care for boils caused by infections. You’ll need to keep the area clean, apply warm compresses to help it open up, and manage the drainage so the skin underneath can stay dry and heal.

Unlike boils caused by infections, HS needs ongoing care to avoid complications. Without treatment, HS can get worse and cause tunnels under the skin, scarring, and severe infections, like cellulitis and sepsis. Unfortunately, many people with HS don’t know they have it.

If you have HS, there are several prescription medications your dermatologist can prescribe, and in some cases, surgical procedures can help treat the condition.

What Should You Do if You Think You Have HS?

If you keep getting boils or other skin problems, get medical attention and ask your doctor whether HS could be the cause.

There’s no single test for HS, but a dermatologist can often diagnose it by examining your skin and asking about your symptoms and medical history.

Members of myHSteam have talked about having HS symptoms for years before getting diagnosed. “I’ve had painful nodules since my 20s,” shared one member. “I always thought I was getting repeated ingrown hairs turning into abscesses. I’m in my early 40s now. Over the decades, I’ve had these mostly in my armpits, on my breasts, and near my bikini line. I just recently learned about HS within the past couple of months, by accident, by looking up my symptoms.”

“I just recently learned about HS within the past couple of months, by accident, by looking up my symptoms.”

— A myHSteam member

If recurrent boils or other symptoms are getting in the way of daily life, talk to your doctor. Keep looking for a healthcare professional who listens to your concerns and helps you find solutions.

Join the Conversation

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you ever worried if your boils were contagious? Let others know in the comments below.