Rapper T.I.’s niece, Kamaya Harris, posted the following photos on her Instagram page today. In the caption she wrote:
I wasn’t going to post this but I wanted to share my flow for the past 3 days… They have been very miserable, very sleepless, & very painful but thru it all God is good almost over & I’ll be back to myself soon
The “boil” is real
Based on the information in her caption, I’m guessing she is suffering from a painful boil (Furunculosis, Folliculitis) inside her nose that can be caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
You may recall my discussion on Staphylococcus Aureus in my Medical Minute post on MRSA. I told you that Staph lives on our skin and inside our noses. When the bacteria colonizes our noses it becomes necessary to decolonize the nose with antibiotics to prevent recurrent infections.
Though Staph lives in our noses, the bacteria usually only causes a problem when there is a break in the skin such as cuts, abrasions or insect bites. Infections inside the nose can be caused by ingrown hairs or picking the nose with your finger.
The boil usually grows inside the anterior nasal wall. It is very painful and may drain a yellowish pus fluid. The pus/fluid dries and forms a yellowish-brown crust that must be removed (lanced by a doctor or nurse) to speed healing. The boil may burst on its own without treatment. The drainage is contagious and can be spread among family members or among school children.
Signs & Symptoms
Untreated infections can develop into an abscess or cellulitis, a serious infection that causes redness and inflammation of the surrounding tissues (facial edema).
TREATMENT
The preferred treatment of nasal boils is antibiotics such as Mupirocin 2% ointment or Bactroban ointment. Doctors may also prescribe oral antibiotics.
Mupirocin ointment is applied by squeezing the ointment inside both nostrils. The ointment is supplied in a 30 gram tube or in individual single-dose tubes. Continue to use the ointment as prescribed even after the infection clears.
When the boil bursts (or lanced) place a gauze bandage to catch the drainage.
Placing a warm (or hot) compress or wash cloth over the nose speeds the drainage and decreases the boil.
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info On The Web
Boils, Skin Problems and Treatment – WebMD
Nasal Folliculitis – MayoClinic.com
Impetigo – About.com
DISCLAIMER
Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.
Thanks to loyal reader Ashland for the tip.
