Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Boil causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Boils (furuncles) are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Causes
Causes
Common causes of boils include:[1]
Bacteria:
- Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of furunculosis.
- Colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in the anterior nares and in the warm, moist skin folds such as behind ears, under pendulous breasts and in the groin plays a definitive role in the etiology of chronic or recurrent furunculosis.[2]
- Infection with Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with furunculosis.[3]
Other bacterial causes:
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Enterococci
- Corynebacterium
- Streptococcus epidermidis
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Fungal causes
- Candida
- Pityrosporum species
Other causes
- Ingrown hair
- Blocked glands
References
References
- ↑ MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001474.htm August 1,2016 Accessed on August 10,2016
- ↑ Le Bozec P (1996). “[Follicular staphylococcal infections]”. Rev Prat. 46 (13): 1599–602. PMID 8949489.
- ↑ Venniyil PV, Ganguly S, Kuruvila S, Devi S (2016). “A study of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients with pyoderma”. Indian Dermatol Online J. 7 (3): 159–63. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.182373. PMC 4886585. PMID 27294048.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]