Boils
Boils
Boils (pronounced: /bɔɪlz/), also known as skin abscesses, are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair follicles.
Etymology
The term "boil" originates from the Old French boillir, meaning "to boil" or "to bubble up". This is in reference to the boil's appearance, which is often red, swollen, and filled with pus, resembling a bubble or something boiling under the skin.
Causes
Boils are typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and inside the nose. A boil can form when the bacteria enter the body through tiny nicks or cuts in the skin or can travel down the hair to the follicle.
Symptoms
Symptoms of boils include a painful, red bump that starts out about the size of a pea, red, swollen skin around the bump, an increase in the size of the bump over a few days as it fills with pus (a process called suppuration), and development of a yellow-white tip that eventually ruptures and allows the pus to drain out.
Treatment
Treatment for boils typically involves incision and drainage, a minor surgical procedure to open the boil and drain the pus. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if the infection is severe or recurrent.
Related Terms
- Carbuncle: A cluster of boils that form a connected area of infection under the skin.
- Furuncle: Another term for a boil.
- Abscess: A pocket of pus that forms at the site of infected tissue.
- Cellulitis: A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Boils
- Wikipedia's article - Boils
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