Tender and sometimes painful lumps that form beneath the skin, boils occur when hair follicles become infected with bacteria. The infection causes inflammation and leads to a build-up of pus beneath the skin. Boils usually don't require treatment and should be allowed to rupture or drain on their own.MayoClinic.com: Boils and Carbuncles Definition For severe boils or exceptionally deep infection, a doctor may assist in the draining of the boil and prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading.MayoClinic.com: Boils and Carbuncles Treatments and Drugs

Boils usually begin as small, reddened lumps that are usually be painful or tender to the touch. As boils fill with pus, they become increasingly painful and may develop white or yellow heads. The skin surrounding boils may also become red, inflamed and sensitive to the touch. After boils rupture, they will ooze pus and may crust over. Because boils are usually caused by some sort of infection, other symptoms related to the infection may develop, including, mild fever, nausea and fatigue.University of Maryland Medical Center: Furuncle - Symptom

• Avoid puncturing or popping the boil—this could make the infection worse
• Before it ruptures, apply a warm compress to the boil several times per day
• After the boil ruptures, wash it several times per day, then apply an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin and cover the area with a bandage or gauze to prevent infectionMayoClinic.com: Boils and Carbuncles Lifestyle and Home Remedies

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician for information on boils.