• skin lesions
  • papule or nodule
  • usually pea-sized, may occasionally be as large as a golf ball
  • swollen
  • pink or red
  • may grow rapidly
  • may develop white or yellow centers (pustules)
  • may weep, ooze, or crust
  • maybe located with hair follicles
  • tender, mildly to moderately painful
  • may be single or multiple
  • may run together (coalesce) or spread to other skin areas
  • pain increases as pus and dead tissue fills the area
  • pain decreases as the area drains
• skin redness or inflammation around the boil
• fever (occasionally)
• fatigue (occasionally)
• general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (occasionally)

Itching of the skin may occur before the skin lesions develop.