Symptoms of a boil

The boil evolves in 5 to 10 days:

• it begins with the appearance of a painful, hot and red nodule (= a ball), about the size of a pea;
• it grows and fills with pus which can reach, although rarely, the size of a tennis ball;
• a white tip of pus appears (= swelling): the boil pierces, the pus is eliminated and leaves a red crater which will form a scar.

In the case of anthrax, that is to say the occurrence of several contiguous boils, the infection is more important:

• agglomeration of boils and inflammation of a large area of ​​skin;
• possible fever;
• swelling of the glands

People at risk

Anyone can develop a boil, but some people are at greater risk, including:

• Men and adolescents;
• People with type 2 diabetes;
• People with a weakened immune system (immunosuppression);
• People suffering from a skin problem that promotes infections (acne, eczema);
• Obese people (obesity);
• Patients treated with corticosteroids.

Risk factors

Certain factors favor the appearance of boils:

• lack of hygiene;
• repeated rubbing (clothes that are too tight, for example);
• small wounds or stings on the skin, which become infected;
• mechanical shaving.