An abscess at the base of a hair follicle, which results in a raised, reddened, and often painful swelling in the skin. It usually results from infection with Staphylococcus aureus.
Boil or furuncle is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles, thus resulting in the localized accumulation of pus and dead tissues. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles.
Symptoms
The symptoms of boils are red, pus-filled lumps that are tender, warm, and/or painful.
Sometimes the boil will emit an unpleasant smell.
Causes
Boils are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or staph, a strain of bacteria that normally live on the skin surface.
People with immune system disorders, diabetes, poor hygiene or malnutrition (Vitamin A or E deficiency) are particularly susceptible to getting boils.
Hidradenitis suppurativa causes frequent boils.
Treatments
Most boils run their course within 4 to 10 days. For most people, self-care by applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water can help alleviate the pain and hasten draining of the pus (colloquially referred to as "bringing the boil to a head").
In serious cases, prescription oral antibiotics such as dicloxacillin (Dynapen) or cephalexin (Keflex), or topical antibiotics, are commonly used.
However, some boils are caused by a superbug known as community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA.
Magnesium sulfate paste applied to the affected area can prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce boils by absorbing pus and drying up the lesion.
Prognosis
For most cases, there are no serious complications and a full recovery is expected.
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