Dictone » Overview of Skin Boils

Overview of Skin Boils

A boil starts as a reddened, tender area. Then the area becomes firm and hard over the time. Later the center of boil becomes soft and get filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the blood stream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is nothing but a pus. At last the pus forms a head, which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin. There are several different types of boils that are given as follows:

• Furuncle or carbuncle: This boil is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus and can have one or more openings onto the skin. It may associate with a fever or chills.
• Cystic acne: This is caused when oil ducts become clogged and infected. It generally appears in teenagers.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: These are caused due to local inflammation of the sweat glands. It includes multiple abscesses that form under the armpits and in the groin area.
• Pilonidal cyst: Pilonidal cyst usually causes after long trips by sitting. Pilonidal cyst occurs in the crease of the buttocks.