What Are Boils on the Skin?

Boils are surely common to everyone. Once in a while, you may hear your neighbor complain about sitting discomforts due to boils. But what exactly are these skin infections?

Boils on the skin are actually localized infections on the skin that starts as a red and tender area, and then progresses much deeper into the skin. As time passes, it hardens, becomes firm, and the center of the abscess becomes soft and pus-filled. This area is a collection of white blood cells as well as bacterial debris and proteins. This so-called “head” or “eye” of boils is surgically removed through the procedure called incision and drainage.

There are actually several types of boils. One is called furuncle or carbuncle. It is caused by gram positive bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, the pathogenic strain of the normal flora of the skin. When a person has furuncles, she may have fever or chills … read more