What is a boil?
A boil, sometimes also referred to as a furuncle, is an infection involving a hair follicle on the skin. Boils are typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, although they may be caused by other bacteria or fungi present on the skin surface. In addition to affecting the hair follicle, infections that cause boils will also typically involve the surrounding skin.... Read more about boil introduction
What causes a boil?
A boil develops when a hair follicle becomes infected by bacteria or fungus from the skin. The presence of infection draws in white blood cells from the body’s immune system to combat the infection. However, if the infection does not resolve quickly enough, pockets of bacteria, dead cells, and fluids can develop, resulting in the formation of a boil. Boils are very common and may be caused, in part, by conditions that weaken the immune system, thus increasing an individual’s susceptibility to infection, or by poor hygiene.... Read more about boil causes
How is a boil treated?
Boils should heal on their own after several weeks, but will only do so after they are opened and drained. You should never attempt to force a boil to open or drain, since doing so could spread the infection. A boil that is especially deep or large may need to be treated by a health care professional.... Read more about boil treatments
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