What is a skin boil?

Answer by  YellowCup (1650)

Skin boils normally occur because of a deep infection beneath the skin. Normally starting in the hair folicles or oil glands and then getting in deep. A doctor will probally prescribe some sort of antibiotic, pill or lotion form. If the skin boils are not too serious, there is over-the-counter ointments. Keeping the skin clean is essential to preventing them

Answer by  patti590 (93)

These can be cause by the infection of hair follicles. The infected follicle becomes red and swollen with pus and dead tissue. Several small infected follicles will cluster together and form a boil that erupts on the surface to the skin.

Answer by  rymor (45)

A skin boil is a type of absess. It's an infection that is deep under the skin and starts out as a tender spot which eventually forms a pus head.

Answer by  DebH2010 (291)

A skin boil is an infection that often occurs in a pore. They manifest as a red, swollen bump on the skin and eventually swell into a "head" that will have purulent drainage when opened. Opening a boil may need to be done by a doctor, as the infection can be quite deep and need antibiotics.

Answer by  DrMom (854)

A boil is a deep infection of the skin. It can be caused by acne, an infected hair follicle, or any small wound in the skin that becomes infected. It can also be a sign of a more serious disorder and should be treated by a doctor.