Boil causes

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

Overview[edit | edit source]

Boils (furuncles) are generally caused by an infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Causes[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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