Boils (Furunculosis):
Teen information

Furunculosis is a skin condition that occurs with the development of multiple boils involving an entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissue. The medical name for a boil is "furuncle," which is where the name of the condition comes from. Boils are very common and are caused by bacteria or fungi that are normally found on the skin of healthy people. However, when there is damage to the hair follicle, the bacteria or fungi that reside on the skin's surface are able to penetrate the skin and enter deeper into the follicle, underneath the skin. They usually begin as a tender, red bump that becomes pus-filled. If not treated or lanced (incised), the boils can get bigger and more painful. If the infection starts to spread, the affected person may start to develop fevers and/or chills.