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A boil, or skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with pus; the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin.
There are several different types of boils, including: - Furuncle or carbuncle -- An abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.
- Cystic acne -- A type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years.
- Hidradenitis suppurativa -- An illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the armpits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands.
- Pilonidal cyst An type of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.
There are many causes of boils. Some boils can be caused by an ingrown hair. Others can form as the result of a splinter or other foreign material lodged in the skin. Others, such as those of acne, are caused by plugged sweat glands that become infected. Any break in the skin such as a cut or scrape can develop into an abscess if it becomes infected with bacteria.
Treatment
Most simple boils can be treated at home. The treatment should start as soon as a boil is noticed since early treatment may prevent later problems.
Any boil or abscess in a patient with diabetes or a patient with an underlying illness (such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) should be seen by a doctor. Additionally, many medicines, especially prednisone, that suppress the immune system (the natural infection-fighting system of the body) can complicate what would be an otherwise simple boil. Patients who are on such medications should consult their doctor if they develop boils.
Any boil that is associated with a fever should receive medical attention. A pilonidal cyst is a special case and almost always requires medical treatment including drainage and packing (putting gauze in the open abscess to assure it continues to drain). Finally, any painful boil that is not rapidly improving should be seen.
There are some measures that you can take to prevent abscesses from forming. Antibacterial soaps may help prevent bacteria build up on the skin and therefore reduce the chance for an abscess to form.
Medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane) can be used for cystic acne; this has been helpful for some patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Recurrences are common in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
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GLOSSARY
Acne
A chronic skin disorder due to inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (secretion glands in the skin).
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Boil (Boils, Abscess, Abscesses, Carbuncle, Carbuncles, Cystic Acne, Furuncle, Furuncles, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Pilonidal Cyst, Pilonidal Cysts)
A localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with white cells that the body sends to fight the infection (pus). Finally, the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin. A furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Gland (Glands)
The glandular system is one of the most important and complicated systems of the body. Gland tissue can be either an organ or general tissue that secretes chemicals and there are two types of gland: exocrine and endocrine. Those glands which secrete chemicals through tubules or ducts are called exocrine and include sweat, tear and salivary glands. Ductless glands - part of the endocrine system - secrete special chemicals (hormones) directly into the blood.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Pus
White cells that the body sends to fight an infection.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A long-term, destructive connective tissue disease that results from the body rejecting its own tissue cells (autoimmune reaction).
Last updated: Feb 17, 2007
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