Chances are, you have heard of boils. You may have even had one of these painful skin abscesses. Boils, which are commonly confused with acne, are very common skin abscesses that will need treatment before it will heal. Here is a closer look at boils and the different types.
Types of Boils
There are four different types of boils. They are all similar, however, some are more serious than others. These are carbuncles (also called furuncle), cystic acne, hiradentitis suppurativa, and the pilonidal cyst. There are all caused by different circumstances, but they are all types of skin abscesses. A boil can be compared to a deep skin infection. These often start as a hard, sore area on the skin. After some amount of time, this area will harden into what is recognized as a boil. The center will become abscessed and will become infected. Pus will form and the boil will then require some sort of treatment. Sometimes surgical intervention is needed if the infection is too deep.
Differences Between the Types of Boils
The most common form of the boil is the furuncle. These are caused by bacteria that have entered an opening in the skin. Sometimes, being sick with a fever can trigger these types of boils. Cystic acne happens when oil ducts on the skin become clogged with dirt or oil and then an infection forms. These are quite common in young adults and teens and are often found on the fact. The other two boils are more serious. Often, these need surgical treatment. A pilonidal cyst will form on the crease between the buttocks and will almost always require surgical intervention, as these are hard to heal and are painful. A hiradentitis boil is usually caused by problems with the sweat glands. These are difficult to treat without surgery as well.