A boil begins as a red, tender bump and can become a painful, pus-filled bump. To help a boil heal, apply a warm, moist compress for 10 minutes, three times a day. If a boil lasts over a week, you ...

Boils and carbuncles are skin infections caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus (commonly referred to as staph). They present as painful pus-filled pockets, which form under the skin and ...

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...