Causes of Skin Boils with Pictures

MRSA Blister

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A blister caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is also called a staph infection. But even though it's common for MRSA to show up as blisters or boils, not all blisters or boils are from MRSA.

Other forms of MRSA and group A Streptococcus bacteria cause skin infections that look very similar.

Symptoms

MRSA can colonize (live) on the skin and cause no harm. However, when you have a cut or scrape, the bacterium can enter the body and cause infection. When this occurs, symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Fever

MRSA can spread by touching someone's skin colonized with MRSA or touching contaminated surfaces.

MRSA blisters commonly form on areas covered by hair, such as the back of the neck, groin, buttocks, armpit, and beard areas.

Treatment

Due to this bacterium's resistance to many standard antibiotics, treating it requires specific types of medication and dosages. Usually, treatment involves a seven to 10-day course of oral antibiotics such as:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
• Clindamycin
• Minocycline
• Linezolid
• Doxycycline

Cystic Acne

Cystic acne is the most severe type of acne. It causes acne cysts that form deep under the skin.

It occurs when pores become clogged with excess sebum (an oily substance found in glands) and dead skin cells. When bacteria infect these clogged pores, the immune system reacts to fight the threat. This reaction causes deep swelling in the skin's middle layer (the dermis).

Symptoms

An acne cyst is usually red and may have a whitish-yellow head. A cyst can be crusty, painful, or tender to touch, and either large or small in size.

Since the face has an abundance of oil glands, acne cysts tend to appear there. However, they can also appear on the back, butt, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper arms.

Treatment

Treating cystic acne typically includes taking oral antibiotics and applying certain topical gels or creams (often prescription-strength) to the affected area. Some treatments include the use of:

• Azelaic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Retinoids
• Salicylic acid
• Accutane (isotretinoin)

Impetigo

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Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is pretty common in kids (in fact, some incorrectly pronounce it infantigo). It comes from either Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria.

Impetigo is highly contagious and spreads through contact with an infected person's sores or the fluid from these sores. It can also spread by sharing towels or clothing with an infected person.

Symptoms

Symptoms of impetigo typically occur within three days after infection. They can include:

• Skin lesions on the lips, nose, arms, and legs
• Pus-filled blisters that easily burst
• Reddish skin with blisters that contain tan or yellowish fluid
• Rash
  

Treatment

Impetigo is treatable and doesn't cause a fever. Healthcare providers will most likely be able to identify it just by looking at it. However, if they aren't sure, they may take a biopsy of the affected skin.

Treating impetigo typically involves applying prescribed topical antibiotics such as mupirocin. Oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins, clindamycin, and sulfamethoxazole may also be used.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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Hidradenitis suppurativa, sometimes referred to as acne inversa, is a chronic skin disease that affects the sweat glands and hair follicles. This condition causes bumps on the skin that can turn into painful boils. After they heal, scarring occurs.

The reason some people develop this condition is unknown. However, it's thought that sex hormones and lifestyle factors like smoking may play roles.

Experts believe that hidradenitis suppurativa occurs when an abnormal growth of cells clogs hair follicles. This debris buildup eventually causes the follicle to rupture, leading to inflammation and scarring. Inflammation is an immune system response to aid in the healing process.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Pimple-like, pus-filled lesions
• Scarring

The condition typically affects areas where skin touches skin, such as the underarms, groin, buttocks, and breasts.

Treatment

For mild cases, treatment usually involves taking anti-inflammatory medications. In addition, applying topical cleansing agents, such as acne washes and antibacterial soaps, can help.

Treatment for more severe cases may include:

• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics such as tetracycline and erythromycin
• Humira (adalimumab)
• Acne surgical procedures
  

Stye

A stye (hordeolum) is a painful, red bump that develops on the eyelid. It's usually caused by a blockage of oil-producing glands in the eyelash follicle and Staphylococcus bacterial infection.

A stye can form either on the outer or inner eyelid. A stye isn't usually contagious, but it can release small amounts of bacteria. This bacteria can spread through physical touch or contact with items such as pillows.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stye can include:

• Eyelid crusting
• Teary or scratchy eyes
• A painful swelling on the eyelid
• Light sensitivity

Treatment

Styes typically clear without medical treatment in one to two weeks. Self-care methods may speed healing. A common way to clear a stye is to place warm compresses on the eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three to five times a day.

Seeing an ophthalmologist may be wise if your stye doesn't improve with at-home care. They may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics and ensure there's no underlying problem. Also, a healthcare provider may surgically drain a stye if it blocks vision or does not clear with antibiotics.

Carbuncle

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A single boil is called a furuncle. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form on a particular body area. Like a boil, a carbuncle results from a bacterial infection, usually by Staphylococcus aureus.

Symptoms

Because a carbuncle affects deeper layers under the skin, symptoms are more severe than a single boil.

Typically, the affected area is red and inflamed with multiple pus-filled boils. Carbuncles can develop anywhere on the body, but they commonly occur on the back and neck. A carbuncle may also include symptoms like:

• Pus-filled boils
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain

Treatment

Although warm compresses may help it drain, it's not uncommon for a carbuncle to need to be surgically drained by a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline, especially if it returns.