While boils typically resolve on their own and therefore have an
excellent prognosis, there are special cases in which medical
care should be sought when boils develop. Rarely, boils may
spread or persist, leading to more widespread infections. Any
boil or abscess in a patient with diabetes or a patient with an
underlying illness that can be associated with a weakened immune
system (such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) should be
evaluated by a health-care practitioner. Additionally, many
medicines, especially prednisone, that suppress the immune
system (the natural infection-fighting system of the body) can
complicate what would be an otherwise simple boil. Those who are
taking such medications should consult their health-care
practitioner if they develop boils. (If you are not sure about
your medications' effects on the immune system, your pharmacist
may be able to explain to you which medicines to be concerned
about.) Any boil that is associated with a fever should receive
medical attention. Increasi