{"id":80427,"date":"2025-09-02T14:55:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T05:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ic-clinic-ueno.com\/furuncle\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T19:42:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T10:42:04","slug":"furuncle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ic-clinic-ueno.com\/en\/treatment\/furuncle\/","title":{"rendered":"Furuncle (Boil) Treatment | Dermatology Outpatient Clinic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\ud83d\udccc Appointments for \u201cfuruncle (boil)\u201d treatment are available only at the Dermatology Outpatient Department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.<\/div><\/div>
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\u26a1 Benefits of Reading This Article<\/div><\/div>
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\u2705 Understand furuncle symptoms and causes in 3 minutes<\/span>
\u2705 Learn the correct steps to take so you don\u2019t make things worse through self-diagnosis<\/span>
\u2705 Discover prevention methods to help stop recurrence<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Risks of not reading this article\u2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u274c Self-treatment may allow the infection to spread and worsen<\/span>
\u274c The condition could become severe enough to require hospitalization<\/span>
\u274c Recurring outbreaks may interfere with daily life<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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IC Clinic Shinjuku \u2014 General Dermatology Outpatient Department \u2014 Book online<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude1f \u201cWhat is a furuncle? What are the symptoms and causes?\u201d
\ud83d\ude30 \u201cWhat should I do if I develop a furuncle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are troubled by a skin lump on your face, you may have these questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A furuncle is a type of bacterial skin infection, also commonly known as a \u201cboil.\u201d<\/span> It may be accompanied by redness and pain, and early treatment is important as leaving it untreated may allow the inflammation to spread.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of furuncles.<\/span> The latter half also covers prevention methods and the differences from other skin conditions,<\/span> so please read to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd0d What is a furuncle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A furuncle is a skin lump accompanied by pain and redness.<\/span> It is a type of bacterial infection characterized by a firm lump with a pus-filled core at its center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A furuncle develops when folliculitis<\/span> progresses, and is commonly known as a \u201cboil.\u201d<\/span> It can occur at any age, though furuncles tend to be more common in men than in women.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Related article: Why does folliculitis occur? A thorough explanation of causes, treatment, and prevention<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a furuncle progresses further, the affected area softens over several days to weeks, eventually rupturing and discharging pus.<\/span> After the pus is discharged, the pain and swelling typically subside rapidly and the condition resolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd04 Why do furuncles recur? Causes explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cause of furuncles is infection by Staphylococcus aureus<\/strong>, a bacterium that normally lives on the skin.<\/span> When resident skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus infect a small wound or hair follicle, folliculitis develops, and when folliculitis worsens, it can progress to a furuncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, changes in living environment that disrupt the balance of resident skin bacteria or reduce immune function can make a person more susceptible to furuncles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Furuncles are a skin condition that may recur repeatedly<\/span> unless the underlying cause is addressed. For this reason, if the condition has become chronic, it is important to review one\u2019s lifestyle and environment in addition to receiving treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcca What happens when you develop a furuncle? Symptoms explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A furuncle develops when folliculitis progresses. If a furuncle progresses further, it can lead to a skin condition called a \u201ccarbuncle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The differences in symptoms among folliculitis, furuncle, and carbuncle are as follows \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udff7\ufe0f Skin Condition<\/th>\ud83d\udcdd Symptoms<\/th><\/tr>
Folliculitis<\/th>\u30fbMild pain
\u30fbRedness
\u30fbSmall amount of pus<\/td><\/tr>
Furuncle<\/th>\u30fbSevere pain<\/span>
\u30fbRedness<\/span>
\u30fbSwelling<\/span>
\u30fbFormation of a firm pus plug
\u30fbFever
\u30fbFatigue<\/td><\/tr>
Carbuncle<\/th>\u30fbDevelops across multiple hair follicles<\/span>
\u30fbSevere pain
\u30fbRedness
\u30fbSwelling
\u30fbFormation of a firm pus plug
\u30fbFever
\u30fbFatigue<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f If left untreated, a furuncle may spread to multiple hair follicles and symptoms may gradually worsen, so please seek medical attention from a doctor as soon as possible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Related article: What is a carbuncle? Its relationship to furuncles and folliculitis \u2014 symptoms, causes, and treatment explained in plain language<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd2c How are furuncles examined and diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Furuncles are diagnosed by culturing bacteria from the pus discharged from the affected area.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a furuncle is present, bacterial culture of the pus typically detects Staphylococcus aureus.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, if a furuncle has progressed to a carbuncle, elevated white blood cell counts and elevated CRP levels<\/span> may be observed. CRP (C-reactive protein) is a protein that increases in the blood when inflammation or tissue damage occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc8a Can you drain a furuncle? Treatment methods explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Treatment options for furuncles are as follows \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc89 Treatment Method<\/th>\ud83d\udcdd Details<\/th><\/tr>
Oral medication<\/th>\u30fbOral antibiotics are prescribed<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Topical medication<\/th>\u30fbAntibiotic ointment is applied to the affected area
\u30fbOften used in combination with oral medication<\/td><\/tr>
Incision and drainage<\/th>\u30fbIf pus has accumulated, the area is incised to drain the pus<\/span>
\u30fbThe wound is cleaned daily until the inflammation subsides<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Symptoms of a furuncle may be relieved by draining the pus.<\/span> For this reason, treatment may involve incision and drainage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f However, attempting to drain the pus yourself risks introducing bacteria through the wound and worsening the condition, so please do not try to drain the pus on your own \u2014 seek medical attention instead.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Key Points for Furuncle Treatment<\/div><\/div>
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\u2728 Seek early consultation to keep symptoms to a minimum<\/span>
\u2728 Self-treatment without professional guidance is strongly inadvisable
\u2728 Appropriate treatment by a specialist supports recovery<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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IC Clinic Shinjuku \u2014 General Dermatology Outpatient Department \u2014 Book online<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f How can furuncles be prevented? Prevention methods explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preventing furuncles involves maintaining the skin\u2019s barrier function and supporting immune health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific measures to support immune health include the following \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n