In short
A boil is a hard and painful lump that fills with pus.
What it is1
An abscess is a pocket of pus.
MedlinePlus
Worth knowing4
A boil often starts as an itchy or tender spot.
NHS websiteBoils can appear anywhere on your body.
NHS websiteWhen lots of boils form together it's called a carbuncle.
NHS websiteSkin abscesses are easy to detect.
MedlinePlus
What helps2
Things that can help: soak a clean cloth in warm water and hold it against the boil for 10 minutes 4 times a day; clean the area around the boil with antibacterial soap if pus comes out; cover the area with a dressing or gauze until it heals; bathe or shower every day and wash your hands regularly.
NHS websiteA health care provider can check whether you need treatment, such as a small procedure to drain the boil or antibiotics.
NHS website
What to avoid1
Things to avoid: do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil; do not share your towel with other people until the boil has gone; do not go to a swimming pool or gym until the boil has gone – you could pass the infection on to others.
NHS website
See a provider if2
See a health care provider if you've had a boil for 2 weeks and the things you've tried are not helping; you keep getting boils; you have a group of boils (carbuncle).
NHS websiteGet care soon if you have a boil and it is on your face, the skin around it feels hot, painful and swollen, you feel hot, cold or shivery, or you have a weakened immune system (for example from steroids or diabetes).
NHS website
Sources
- NHS website: Boils (adapted; Open Government Licence v3.0), as at 13 October 2026
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine: Boils
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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