When you have any type of growth or bump on your skin it can be somewhat alarming. This means that you want to determine what this growth is in order to treat it properly. Two common types of bumps that can appear on the surface of the skin are cysts and boils. Even though they are not one in the same, it is common for them to be mistaken for one another. If you are looking to properly identify a cyst or a boil, it is a good idea for you to be aware of the differences between the two. This will enable you to know if you are dealing with a cyst or a boil on your skin. Here is more information about the differences between cysts and boils.
What is a Cyst?
A cysts is different from a boil in the way that a cyst is completely closed, but appears as a sac filled with liquid on the surface of the skin. This means that a cyst is an abnormal lump that is present on the skin. Not only can cysts be present on the surface of the skin, but they can also be present under the skin.
What is a Boil?
A boil is different from a cyst because it occurs when there is an infection. When a hair follicle becomes infected, the result can be a boil. When a bacteria becomes present the result can be this infection of the hair follicle. Boils are common but also look similar to cysts because the skin becomes enflamed. This means that an abnormal lump can be present that is similar in shape to that of a cyst. However, boils are also painful. This means that they are sensitive to the touch and only occur on areas of the skin where hair follicles are present.
Cluster
One thing that you need to know about boils that make them different from cysts is that they have the ability to cluster together. When boils cluster together in one area of the skin, this can be known as a carbuncle. This is a cluster of boils that look like one large bump on the skin, but are actually a cluster of boils caused by infection of hair follicles.
Treatment
Treatment options for cysts and boils is also what makes them unique from one another. Boils can be treated with antibiotics, but cysts need to be removed.
