Symptoms:

A furuncle may begin as a tender, pinkish-red, swollen nodule but ultimately feel like a water-filled balloon. Pain gets worse as it fills with pus and dead tissue. Pain improves as it drains. It may drain on its own. More often the patient or someone else opens the furuncle.

The furuncle:

• Is usually pea-sized, but may be as large as a golf ball
• May develop white or yellow centers (pustules)
• May join with another furuncle or spread to other skin areas
• May grow rapidly
• May weep, ooze, crust

Other symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• General ill-feeling
• Itching before furuncle develops
• Skin redness or inflammation around the lesion

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin. Skin or mucosal biopsy culture may show staphylococcus or other bacteria.