Many times a boil is caused by an infected hair follicle or in-grown hair. Shaving or plucking hairs can cause hair follicles to get clogged and infected. Staphylococcus is the bacteria that is usually found in the pus of a boil. A boil could be forming under your skin if you see a red, swelling area of skin that itches and is slightly painful. Within the next 24 hours is will get really red, really painful and fill up with pus.
Boils are most common on the neck, face, scalp, rear end and underarms.
Sometimes a boil s bacteria can spread to a lymph node that is nearby. If there is a boil on the neck, check the lymph glands for swelling and tenderness. A doctor s check up is needed in this case. When a person gets a series of many boils, it is also wise to have a Doctor s check up to see if there is any internal problems being brought out in the skin. Look for signs of fever and lethargy when you have a boil to determine if you need to go to a doctor.