This article explains boil symptoms, how boils differ from similar skin conditions, and conditions that result in boils.
Boil Symptoms
Skin boils are often caused by an infection with Staphylococcus bacteria. They may also develop from other infectious agents, like group A Streptococcus.
Skin boils can have a pinkish, red, or whitish-yellow color with symptoms that include:
SwellingOozing of pus or clear fluidPain
Boil vs. Pimple
Skin boils and pimples can look similar, but there are differences. For example, unlike boils, pimples aren’t caused by an infection. Instead, they are caused by blocked pores. This blockage causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads to form a bump on the skin. Pimples are the main symptom of acne, a common skin condition.
Sometimes, with acne, bacteria can infect clogged pores, leading to redness and inflammation. This type of acne is known as inflammatory acne.
Boil vs. Cyst
Boils also differ from cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that are typically non-infectious and non-contagious. However, cysts can become infected if bacteria get in broken skin. In addition, boils usually multiply and can be painful, while cysts typically grow slowly and aren’t painful.
Other forms of MRSA and group A Streptococcus bacteria cause skin infections that look very similar.
Symptoms
MRSA can colonize (live) on the skin and cause no harm. However, when you have a cut or scrape, the bacterium can enter the body and cause infection. When this occurs, symptoms may include:
PainSwellingRednessFever
MRSA can spread by touching someone’s skin colonized with MRSA or touching contaminated surfaces.
MRSA blisters commonly form on areas covered by hair, such as the back of the neck, groin, buttocks, armpit, and beard areas.
Treatment
Due to this bacterium’s resistance to many standard antibiotics, treating it requires specific types of medication and dosages. Usually, treatment involves a seven to 10-day course of oral antibiotics such as:
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole Clindamycin Minocycline Linezolid Doxycycline
It occurs when pores become clogged with excess sebum (an oily substance found in glands) and dead skin cells. When bacteria infect these clogged pores, the immune system reacts to fight the threat. This reaction causes deep swelling in the skin’s middle layer (the dermis).
Symptoms
An acne cyst is usually red and may have a whitish-yellow head. A cyst can be crusty, painful, or tender to touch, and either large or small in size.
Since the face has an abundance of oil glands, acne cysts tend to appear there. However, they can also appear on the back, butt, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper arms.
Treatment
Treating cystic acne typically includes taking oral antibiotics and applying certain topical gels or creams (often prescription-strength) to the affected area. Some treatments include the use of:
Azelaic acid Benzoyl peroxide Retinoids Salicylic acid Accutane (isotretinoin)
Impetigo is highly contagious and spreads through contact with an infected person’s sores or the fluid from these sores. It can also spread by sharing towels or clothing with an infected person.
Symptoms
Symptoms of impetigo typically occur within three days after infection. They can include:
Skin lesions on the lips, nose, arms, and legsPus-filled blisters that easily burstReddish skin with blisters that contain tan or yellowish fluidRash
Treatment
Impetigo is treatable and doesn’t cause a fever. Healthcare providers will most likely be able to identify it just by looking at it. However, if they aren’t sure, they may take a biopsy of the affected skin.
Treating impetigo typically involves applying prescribed topical antibiotics such as mupirocin. Oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins, clindamycin, and sulfamethoxazole may also be used.
The reason some people develop this condition is unknown. However, it’s thought that sex hormones and lifestyle factors like smoking may play roles.
Experts believe that hidradenitis suppurativa occurs when an abnormal growth of cells clogs hair follicles. This debris buildup eventually causes the follicle to rupture, leading to inflammation and scarring. Inflammation is an immune system response to aid in the healing process.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa include:
PainSwellingPimple-like, pus-filled lesionsScarring
The condition typically affects areas where skin touches skin, such as the underarms, groin, buttocks, and breasts.
Treatment
For mild cases, treatment usually involves taking anti-inflammatory medications. In addition, applying topical cleansing agents, such as acne washes and antibacterial soaps, can help.
Treatment for more severe cases may include:
Corticosteroids Antibiotics such as tetracycline and erythromycin Humira (adalimumab) Acne surgical procedures
A stye can form either on the outer or inner eyelid. A stye isn’t usually contagious, but it can release small amounts of bacteria. This bacteria can spread through physical touch or contact with items such as pillows.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a stye can include:
Eyelid crustingTeary or scratchy eyesA painful swelling on the eyelidLight sensitivity
Treatment
Styes typically clear without medical treatment in one to two weeks. Self-care methods may speed healing. A common way to clear a stye is to place warm compresses on the eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three to five times a day.
Seeing an ophthalmologist may be wise if your stye doesn’t improve with at-home care. They may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics and ensure there’s no underlying problem. Also, a healthcare provider may surgically drain a stye if it blocks vision or does not clear with antibiotics.
Symptoms
Because a carbuncle affects deeper layers under the skin, symptoms are more severe than a single boil.
Typically, the affected area is red and inflamed with multiple pus-filled boils. Carbuncles can develop anywhere on the body, but they commonly occur on the back and neck. A carbuncle may also include symptoms like:
Pus-filled boils Fever Fatigue Pain
Treatment
Although warm compresses may help it drain, it’s not uncommon for a carbuncle to need to be surgically drained by a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline, especially if it returns.
FeverBoils that last longer than one weekMultiple boils or carbunclesBoils that return
A healthcare provider can give proper treatment and ensure there isn’t an underlying problem.
Summary
Many things may cause boils, including MRSA, cystic acne, impetigo, hidradenitis suppurativa, styes, and carbuncles. Symptoms vary depending on the condition but usually include sensitive pus-filled lesions.
Treatment varies depending on the cause. If you have any signs of infection or the boil isn’t responding to at-home treatment, you should contact a healthcare provider.
