What Is a Furuncle?
3. What Are the Symptoms of a Furuncle?
A furuncle starts out as a hard, painful lump on the skin. It is initially about the size of a pea but typically grows as it fills with pus. It can ultimately reach a size of about two inches. The skin surrounding it usually appears red and swollen; it may also be warm to the touch. Pain from a furuncle can range from mild to severe.
As the boil fills up with pus, the center of it starts to turn a whitish color. The furuncle starts to become soft. This means that it is getting ready to burst. When it does, you will see white or pink drainage from the furuncle as the pus drains out. Once this happens, the pain usually goes away. Most boils resolve themselves within a week or two.
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