What are the best antibiotics for a boil?

Antibiotics are not always recommended to treat a boil. Boils are usually cut open by a healthcare provider and drained. When needed, the best antibiotic to treat a boil (also called a furuncle) depends on many factors, such as the presence of certain symptoms like fever or fast breathing, the location of the boil, your medical conditions, and whether you have already tried other antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic will also be based on which bacteria is most likely to be causing the infection.

Antibiotics prescribed for a boil typically target Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, since this is the most common bacteria that causes them. If you have tried an antibiotic that did not work or have a more severe infection, your healthcare provider might recommend an antibiotic that is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pseudomonas aeruginosa, or other gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotic treatment options include both topical and systemic antibiotics.

Some examples of topical antibiotics that may be used to treat a boil include:

• Clindamycin
• Mupirocin

Some examples of systemic antibiotics that may be used to treat a boil include:

• Cefditoren pivoxil
• Cefaclor
• Cefalexin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clindamycin
• Dicloxacillin
• Flucloxacillin
• Linezolid
• Tetracycline
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Do not try to squeeze a boil yourself, since this can spread the infection and make it harder to treat. Always consult a healthcare provider about the most appropriate treatment for a boil.

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