What Causes Boils? Nutrients You May Lack

What Are Boils, and Why Do They Happen?

How Boils Form

A boil is one of those skin surprises no one asks for: red, swollen, tender, and often painful. It forms when a hair follicle or oil gland gets infected, usually by a common bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. Your body quickly jumps into action, sending white blood cells to the area to fight the infection. That battle creates pus under the skin, which becomes the painful lump we know as a boil. Eventually, it may come to a head and drain on its own.

Boils can appear almost anywhere, but they tend to develop in areas where your skin is frequently hot, sweaty, or rubbed, such as your armpits, thighs, neck, buttocks, or even your face.

Types of Boils

Not all boils are the same! Here are a few common types worth knowing:

• Furuncles: This is the typical, everyday boil that centers around a single hair follicle.
• Carbuncles: A cluster of connected boils that go deeper into the skin and can be more painful or slow to heal.
• Cystic acne: Not technically a boil, but it can look and feel like one. It happens when oil and bacteria get trapped deep under the skin.
• Pilonidal cysts: These show up near the tailbone and can become infected, turning into something very boil-like (and very uncomfortable, especially when sitting).

Common Causes

While bacteria is the main trigger, other risk factors can make you more prone to boils:

• Weakened immune system
• Poor hygiene or skin friction
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Ingrown hairs or cuts that don’t heal well
• Sharing towels, razors, or clothing

But these aren't the only reasons boils can appear. Sometimes, your body may be lacking key nutrients or minerals that support skin health and immunity.

What Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency Can Cause Boils?

Your skin does a lot of work to protect you; it’s your body’s first line of defense. But to do its job well, it needs the right fuel.

When you’re not getting enough of certain vitamins or minerals, your skin can become more vulnerable to bacteria, and your immune system might not be as quick to fight off infections.

Vitamin A: Your Skin’s First Responder

Why it matters: Think of vitamin A as your skin’s repair crew. It helps keep your skin smooth, healthy, and strong and speeds up healing when there’s a cut or infection.

What low levels might look like: If you're low on vitamin A, you might notice dry, flaky skin, more frequent breakouts or skin infections, or even trouble seeing in low light.

Where to get it: Load up on orange and dark green veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. It’s also in eggs, liver, and fortified dairy products.

Vitamin C: The Skin Rebuilder

Why it matters: Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, which is kind of like scaffolding for your skin. It’s also a powerful immune booster.

What low levels might look like: Without enough vitamin C, wounds might take longer to heal, you might bruise easily, and your gums could bleed more than usual when brushing.

Where to get it: You’ll find it in colorful fruits and veggies like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.

Zinc: The Defender

Why it matters: Zinc is your immune system’s best friend. It helps fight off bacteria and supports skin healing, super important when it comes to preventing or recovering from boils.

What low levels might look like: You may get sick more often, notice that cuts heal slowly, or see changes like hair loss or a weaker sense of taste, or smell.

Where to get it: Zinc-rich foods include meat, shellfish, pumpkin seeds, legumes, and whole grains.

Vitamin D: The Immune System Balancer

Why it matters: Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system and calm down inflammation, both of which can affect how easily your skin fights infections.

What low levels might look like: Feeling tired all the time? Getting sick more often? Mood dips and body aches can also be signs that your vitamin D is running low.

Where to get it: Your best source? Sunshine! You’ll also find vitamin D in fatty fish (like salmon), egg yolks, and fortified milk or cereals.

Iron: The Oxygen Carrier

Why it matters: Iron helps your blood carry oxygen, and if you don’t have enough, your immune system can slow down, making it harder for your body to fight off things like skin infections.

What low levels might look like: You might feel tired, look a little pale, get short of breath, or have brittle nails and frequent headaches.

Where to get it: You’ll find iron in red meat, spinach, lentils, tofu, and iron-fortified cereals.

B Vitamins: The Energy and Skin Supporters

Why it matters: B vitamins (Especially B6 and B12) help with energy, nerve function, and hormone balance, and they support healthy skin, too.

What low levels might look like: You could feel worn out, get tingling in your hands or feet, feel more anxious or moody, or notice cracks at the corners of your mouth.

Where to get it: Get your Bs from meat, fish, eggs, dairy, leafy greens, and fortified grains.

When to See a Doctor and What Tests to Expect

Signs Your Boils Might Need Medical Attention

While most boils heal on their own, there are times when it's best to get checked out. Reach out to your doctor if:

• The boil is very large, painful, or hasn’t improved in a few days
• You develop a fever or feel run-down and unwell
• Boils keep showing up or forming in clusters (known as carbuncles)
• The skin around the boil becomes very red, swollen, or the infection seems to be spreading

These symptoms could point to a deeper or more widespread infection that may need antibiotics or other treatment.

What Tests Can Help If You Keep Getting Boils?

Your doctor may suggest a few simple tests to look for underlying causes and figure out the best treatment plan:

• Swab test from the boil - This is often done if the infection is stubborn or keeps coming back. Your doctor will gently take a sample of the pus using a sterile swab. It’s quick and not painful. The lab then checks to see what type of bacteria is causing the infection and which antibiotics will work best. This helps avoid trial-and-error treatment and gets you on the right meds faster.
• Blood sugar test - To rule out or check for diabetes, which can make you more prone to skin infections.
• Complete blood count (CBC) - To look for signs of infection, inflammation, or immune system issues.
• Vitamin and mineral panels - To check for possible deficiencies (like vitamin D, zinc, or B12) that could weaken your skin’s defenses
• Immune function tests - If you’re dealing with frequent or unusual infections, your doctor may want to check how well your immune system is working.

All of these tests are pretty straightforward and can offer big clues about why your body is having trouble keeping boils at bay.

How to Prevent Boils

You can’t always control when a boil shows up. But there’s a lot you can do to lower your chances of getting them again. It really comes down to taking care of your skin, your immune system, and your everyday habits.

Here are some easy things that help:

• Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Your skin needs vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin A to stay strong and fight off bacteria. The better your nutrition, the better your body can prevent infections from taking hold.
• Keep things clean. Good hygiene goes a long way. Wash your hands often, bathe regularly, and avoid sharing personal items like razors, towels, or clothing.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water helps your skin stay healthy and your body flush out toxins. Dehydrated skin is more prone to irritation and slower to heal.
• Manage stress. Stress doesn’t just mess with your mood; it also affects your immune system. When you’re run down, your body has a harder time fighting off bacteria. Find little ways to unwind, whether it’s a walk, some music, or just taking a few deep breaths.
• Hands off! As tempting as it is, don’t squeeze or pop a boil. It can push the infection deeper or spread bacteria to nearby skin, which just leads to more boils. Warm compresses are a safer way to help them drain naturally.

Even with great self-care, sometimes boils still need a little extra help. Knowing when to handle it at home and when to call in your doctor can make all the difference in healing faster and avoiding complications.