Boils – What are they ?

Boils are an inflamed swelling, filled with pus which starts deep within the skin.  Boils are usually caused by a hair follicle becoming infected and boils generally start as a tender area of skin with a reddening appearance.

As time passes the affected area will grow firmer, harder and become more tender.  Your body will try to fight the infection by by sending white blood cells from the bloodstream to the boil, this will cause the center of the boil to soften and fill with pus.  The pus is the combination of the white blood cells, proteins and bacteria and it will eventually form a head on the boil.

Once the “head” has formed on the boil, the pus may drain out through the surface of the skin, or in some cases it will drain through a small incision made by a medical professional.

There are a number of different types of boils, these develop on different parts of the body and have different formations.

Furuncles – These are caused by the infection Staphylococcus Aures in a hair follicle (the root of a hair).  Furuncles can occur on any part of the body but are most commonly found on your neck, face, armpits, buttocks and thighs.  Furuncles are also sometimes associated with chills and fevers

Carbuncles – These are a cluster or group of Furuncles.  Carbuncles are most commonly found on the back of the neck, the shoulders, hips and thighs.  They are usually the result of a deeper infection and as such tend to last longer than Fununcles.

Pilonidal Cysts – These are boils that form between the buttocks and are sometimes called Rectal Boils.  Pilonidal Cysts are usually recurrent, they can make walking and sitting very painful and can drain spontaneously.  They often form after being seated for prolonged periods, such as during a long journey.

Hiradenitis Suppurativa – These boils are caused by inflamed sweat glands becoming infected.  They usually occur under the arms and around the groin area and can be very painful.  In extreme cases the affected sweat glands can be removed surgically.

Cystic Acne – These are boils caused by excessive oil production in the skin which in turn causes bacteria and dirt to become trapped under the skin, blocking hair follicles.  Cystic Acne is most commonly found on the face and it differs from Common Acne in that the infection is much deeper in the skin.