Blister and boil are two common skin conditions. Skin condition or cutaneous condition affects the integumentary system of the body. They can be caused due to infection, immune responses, or injuries.
The key difference between blister and boil is their appearance. blister is raised skin that is filled with clear fluid while boil is a pus-filled lump under the skin that form around hair follicles.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Blister
3. What is a Boil
4. Similarities – Blister and Boil
5. Blister vs Boil in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Blister vs Boil
7. FAQ – Blister and Boil
What is a Blister?
A blister is raised skin filled with clear fluid that is caused by pressure, heat, moisture, friction, or burns. In this condition, fluid fills a space between layers of skin. The symptoms of a blister may include a reddened and tender patch of skin and a raised lump filled with clear fluid or sometimes blood.
Figure 01: Blister
Blister can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for blister include sterile drainage of fluid from blister, professional dressing, using antibiotics in case of infection, using antifungal medications in case of fungal infection, antiviral medications in case of viral infection, and managing any underlying allergy.
What is a Boil?
A boil or furuncle is a pus-filled lump under the skin around hair follicles. Boil is an infection of a hair follicle usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms of a boil include a small area of skin becoming inflamed, a painful lump, a white or yellow head formation, boil bursting, draining out pus, and scar formation.
Figure 02: Boil
Boils can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, and lab testing such as laboratory culturing. Furthermore, treatment options for boil are long term use of antibiotics and antibiotic creams to rid the body of infection, use of antiseptic shampoos and soaps, strict attention to personal hygiene, and laundering of bedding and towels frequently.
Similarities Between Blister and Boil
- Blister and boil are two skin conditions.
- Both conditions may cause similar symptoms, such as skin lumps, reddened skin, etc.
- Both conditions are not life threatening.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and biopsy.
- They can be treated through specific topical and oral medications.
Difference Between Blister and Boil
Definition
- A blister is characterized by a watery, clear, fluid-filled, or blood-filled area on the skin.
- A boil is characterized by a red, tender bump on the skin.
Causes
- Blisters are caused by burns or scalds, sunburns, friction, atopic dermatitis, impetigo, pemphigus, pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, and viral infections.
- Boils are caused by bacterial infections in glands and hair follicles.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of a blister include localized bubble filled with clear or bloody liquid, itchiness, fever, pain, and fatigue.
- Symptoms of a boil include a hard, red, painful lump that is the size of a pea, fever, swollen lymph node, and infected, red, painful, and warm skin around the boil.
Diagnosis
- Blisters can be diagnosed by physical examination and skin biopsy.
- Boils can be diagnosed by physical examination, skin biopsy, and laboratory culturing.
Treatment
- Blisters can be treated with antibiotics, antifungal and antivirals medications in case of infection, washing the area with soap and water, keeping ice pack, cleaning and drying, covering with bandage.
- Boils can be treated with prescribed antibiotics, apply warm compresses, using a heating pad, cleaning and covering with a bandage and taking pain reducer.
The following table summarizes the difference between blister and boil.
Summary – Blister vs Boil
Skin conditions can be temporary or permanent. They may be painless or painful. Most of these conditions are minor conditions. Some skin conditions have situational causes, while others may have genetic causes. Blister and boil are two skin conditions. A blister is a bubble on the skin containing a clear fluid, while a boil is a red, tender skin lump that develops in the skin. This is the basic difference between blister and boil.
FAQ: Blister and Boil
1. What is the main cause of a blister?
- A blister is a bubble on the skin containing clear fluid that can be caused by burns or scalds, sunburns, friction, allergic reactions, pressure, heat, moisture, viral infections, etc.
2. Is it better to pop a blister or leave it?
- Fluid-filled blisters keep the underlying skin clean, which prevents infection and promotes healing. It should not puncture a blister as this is likely to further irritate the skin.
3. What are the main symptoms of the boil?
- The symptoms of a boil include a bump about the size of a pea, a white or yellow center, spreading to other skin areas, quick growth, weeping, oozing, or crusting.
3. What causes boils on the body?
- Most boils are caused by the infection of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This germ enters the body through tiny cuts or nicks in the skin or can travel down a hair to the follicle. Furthermore, conditions like diabetes can make it harder for the body to fight this infection.
5. What is the best medicine for a boil?
- Boil can be treated through oral antibiotics doxycycline or minocycline, which help control bacterial growth and reduce inflammation. Other treatments include taking pain relievers, applying warm compresses, using a heating pad, cleaning and covering with a bandage.
Reference:
1. “Boils and Carbuncles.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Blisters: Causes, Treatment, Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fracture Blister” By WillSmithPhoto – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “OSC Microbio 21 02 boil” By CNX OpenStax – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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