Boil differential diagnosis

Boil Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating a Boil from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Boil differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Boil differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Boil differential diagnosis
CDC on Boil differential diagnosis
Boil differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Boil differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Boil
Risk calculators and risk factors for Boil differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Boil (furuncle) must be differentiated from other common diseases that cause tender swelling or a reddened lump filled with pus such as cystic acne, hydradrenitis suppurativa, and pilonidal cyst.

Differentiating Boil(furuncle) from Other Diseases

Boils must be differentiated from:

Disease	Findings
Cystic acne	Presents with tender cystic pustules usually confined to the face and trunk, where there are higher concentration of sebaceous glands.
Hydradrenitis suppurativa	Presents as painful suppurative lesions in the axillary, genital and perianal areas, where there are higher concentration of apocrine glands. Chronic disease may cause irregular sinus tracts and scarring. Diagnosis is primarily clinical based on distribution, characteristic lesions and recurrence.
Pilonidal cyst	The cyst usually contains skin and hair debris, which if gets infected results in painful pus filled nodule at the bottom of tail bone (coccyx). Diagnosis is based on physical examination.
Others	Anthrax, Herpetic whitlow, Cellulitis, Furuncular myasis, Impetigo herpitiformis, SAPHO syndrome, Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist deficiency, sporotrichosis and Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis can produce signs and symptoms that may be confused with boils(furuncles).