Another Name for a Boil
A boil is medically termed a furuncle. 1
Definition and Characteristics
Furuncles (boils) are infections of the hair follicle, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in which suppuration extends through the dermis into the subcutaneous tissue, where a small abscess forms 1, 2
Each lesion consists of an inflammatory nodule and an overlying pustule through which hair emerges 1
Furuncles differ from folliculitis, in which inflammation is more superficial and pus is present in the epidermis rather than extending deeper 1
Related Terminology
When infection extends to involve several adjacent follicles, producing a coalescent inflammatory mass with pus draining from multiple follicular orifices, the lesion is called a carbuncle 1, 2
Carbuncles tend to develop on the back of the neck and are especially likely to occur in diabetic persons 1, 2
Furuncles can occur anywhere on hairy skin 1