: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting
from usually bacterial infection of a hair follicle and adjacent
tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus—called also
furuncle Inflamed pus-filled swelling due to staphylococcus skin
infection at a hair follicle. It is painful and feels hard.
Boils usually occur in hairy areas exposed to friction and
maceration. Scratching an existing skin disorder may introduce
staphylococci on the skin into hair follicles and cause a boil
to arise. A carbuncle occurs when several adjoining boils merge.
Healing requires discharging the pus. Treatment involves
antibiotics.