Stages of a boil and when to see a doctor

Boils can be painful - it may be tempting to pop them but it can make them worse. Find out how they develop and whether to self treat or see a doctor. 

What are the stages of a boil?

Do you need to see a doctor for a boil?

What is a carbuncle?

Treating a boil 

How long do boils last? Studies show that the average boil bursts after 2 to 3 days (although it can take up to a week or more), so it’s best to let it heal naturally. Knowing the stages of a boil is key to knowing when to care for a boil yourself and when to get it checked by a doctor. 

## What are the stages of a boil?

A boil often starts as a tender or itchy spot on your skin, surrounding a hair follicle. As the affected area starts to fill with pus, the boil grows and forms a firm, red lump under your skin. 

Boils often look like large pimples, and most grow to be the size of a pea.

After several days or weeks, the boil will usually form a whitish head and then burst, allowing the pus to drain away. At this stage some boils may settle slowly without bursting.

Most small to medium-sized boils don’t cause permanent scarring, but larger boils may leave a scar.


Video: [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public?utm_source=healthily&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=article)

Get help with this

## Do you need to see a doctor for a boil?

A boil should burst and heal on its own, without the need to see a doctor. However, you should seek medical help if:

- your boil lasts for more than 2 weeks without bursting 
- you have a boil and flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, tiredness or feeling generally unwell
- the redness around the boil starts to spread

A boil is usually caused by an infection, and the above symptoms can be a sign that the infection has spread to the surrounding skin [(cellulitis)](/skin-infections/cellulitis).

If you have a boil on your face, nose or spine, it’s best to see a doctor. A boil that forms in these places can lead to complications and a doctor may want to drain it before the infection has a chance to spread.



You should see a doctor if a boil keeps coming back. They may want to run some tests to work out why you keep getting a boil. 

A doctor may also want to rule out some health problems that can increase your chance of getting a boil, such as [type-2 diabetes](/diabetes/diabetes-type2) or a weakened immune system.

## What is a carbuncle?

A carbuncle is a group of boils that develop next to each other and join beneath the skin. Carbuncles are generally 3 to 10cm in size and often leak pus from multiple points. 

They can be very painful and may cause serious complications if left untreated. If you think you have one, visit a doctor for carbuncle treatment, which may include drainage. 


## Treating a boil 

You may want to pop a boil to get rid of it faster but don't be tempted as you may spread the infection. This can, in rare cases, lead to complications such as [cellulitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/skin-infections/cellulitis "cellulitis") or [sepsis](https://www.livehealthily.com/blood-poisoning "sepsis"). You can usually treat a boil yourself with simple remedies like a warm compress to ease symptoms and encourage healing. Get started by reading this article on [treating boils at home](/boils/home-remedies-for-boils). 

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References

Alex Bussey

Mike Martin

Healthily's medical team

Article information

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Boils can be painful - it may be tempting to pop them but it can make them worse. Find out how they develop and whether to self treat or see a doctor.