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An abscess is a bacterial collection of pus, either on the skin or inside the body.
An abscess is a bacterial collection of pus, either on the skin or inside the body. In contrast, the term boil refers only to abscesses of the hair follicles, sweat glands or sebaceous (i.e. oil) glands. Both cause severe pain and present as pus-filled lumps. Moist warm compresses and skin disinfection can bring relief.
Abscesses can occur anywhere in the body. The most common areas include the armpits (sweat gland abscess), the neck and the face (furuncle of the upper lip, furuncle of the nose). Abscesses on the surface of the body are easy to recognise:
Not every “pimple” develops into an abscess or boil (these are substantially bigger and more painful).
Abscesses and boils are caused by bacteria. The bacteria enter the body through a weak spot in the skin, but can also spread through the bloodstream. Factors that promote the onset include:
Skin infections are mostly superficial and harmless. Popping them often makes them worse, because the bacteria are pushed deeper into the tissue.
Abscesses and boils, Furuncles
CSS offers no guarantee for the accuracy and completeness of the information. The information published is no substitute for professional advice from a doctor or pharmacist.