Definition
A boil on the back is a painful inflammation of the skin. The starting point for the boil is a hair follicle in which bacteria multiply and which subsequently becomes inflamed. Boils can grow up to several centimeters in size and are usually extremely sensitive to pressure. The boil lies as a painful lump in the skin and is easily recognized as a red pustule with a purulent head.
Causes
A boil on the back always originates from a hair follicle. Boils can therefore in principle develop anywhere on the body where there is hairy skin. The cause of a furuncle is the inflammation of a hair follicle and the associated sebaceous gland.
Bacteria reach the deep layers of the skin via the hair follicle, multiply there and cause an inflammatory reaction that spreads to the surrounding tissue. In most cases these are bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus (Staphylococcus aureus). Staphylococci are inhabitants of the normal human skin flora and usually have no disease value.
However, if they reach the deeper layers of the skin through small wounds and injuries, they cause purulent inflammation there. There are a number of factors that can promote the development of a furuncle on the back. These include wearing tight-fitting clothing that chafes the skin and thus allows the bacteria to penetrate.
An intact immune system is important in the fight against pathogens. This is why people who suffer from an immune deficiency, such as those with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or those with HIV, have an increased risk of developing boils. But also a lack of hygiene can lead to the development of furuncles on the back.
Diagnosis
A boil on the back can be diagnosed by its typical appearance. The furuncle is recognizable as a small red pustule with a white-yellowish pus head in its center. In the advanced stage, the boil can increase in size and spread to the deeper skin layers. In the case of large boils, a puncture of the purulent secretion can also be performed for laboratory medical diagnosis of the pathogen.
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