Boil vs. Blister — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 11, 2024
A boil is a deep skin infection forming a red, painful lump, while a blister is a bubble of fluid under the skin caused by friction, burns, or infections.
Difference Between Boil and Blister
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A boil, medically known as a furuncle, is a type of skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. It initially appears as a red, tender lump that over time becomes hard and filled with pus as the body fights the infection. On the other hand, a blister is a small pocket of body fluid (lymph, serum, plasma, or pus) that forms between the upper layers of the skin, often as a result of rubbing (friction), heat, freezing, chemical exposure, or infection.
While boils are characterized by their pus-filled center, painfulness, and reddish color, indicating an immune response to infection, blisters are identified by their clear fluid-filled sac under the skin. Boils require medical treatment if they become too painful, do not drain on their own, or are accompanied by fever; this treatment may involve antibiotics or surgical drainage. Blisters, however, often heal on their own and do not require medical attention unless they become infected. In such cases, keeping the blister clean and protected is crucial to prevent infection.
Prevention of boils can include good hygiene practices and proper care of cuts and scrapes to avoid infection. In contrast, preventing blisters often involves reducing friction and protecting the skin from extreme temperatures and chemicals.
Both conditions reflect the body's reaction to different types of stressors—bacterial invasion for boils and physical or chemical trauma for blisters. Understanding the causes and treatments of each can help in managing and preventing these common skin conditions.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A deep skin infection that forms a painful, pus-filled lump.
A bubble of fluid under the skin caused by friction, burns, or infections.
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Cause
Bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus.
Friction, burns, chemical exposure, freezing, or infections.
Appearance
Red, swollen, and filled with pus.
A clear, fluid-filled sac under the skin.
Location
Commonly on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks.
Anywhere on the skin, especially where friction occurs.
Treatment
May require antibiotics or surgical drainage.
Usually heals on its own; keep clean to prevent infection.
Prevention
Good hygiene and care of cuts and scrapes.
Reducing friction and protecting skin from damage.
Compare with Definitions
Boil
A painful, pus-filled infection of a hair follicle.
He developed a boil on his neck that was tender to touch.
Blister
A protective, fluid-filled sac under the skin.
She got a blister on her heel from walking in new shoes.
Boil
Begins as a red, swollen area on the skin, becoming a pus-filled lump.
The boil started as a small red lump before swelling and filling with pus.
Blister
Appears as a bubble of clear fluid under the skin.
The clear, fluid-filled blister formed quickly after her hike.
Boil
Can include antibiotics or draining by a healthcare professional.
The doctor decided to drain the boil and prescribed antibiotics.
Blister
Most heal naturally; it's important to avoid popping them to prevent infection.
She covered the blister with a bandage to protect it while it healed.
Boil
Maintaining good skin hygiene can help prevent boils.
Regular washing and disinfecting cuts reduced his chances of developing another boil.
Blister
Caused by friction, burns, or sometimes infections.
The blister was the result of excessive rubbing against her shoe.
Boil
Usually caused by bacterial infection.
The boil was a result of an infection with Staphylococcus aureus.
Blister
Wearing well-fitting shoes and using gloves can prevent blisters.
To avoid blisters during long walks, she started wearing moisture-wicking socks.
Boil
(with reference to a liquid) reach or cause to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour
We asked people to boil their drinking water
He waited for the water to boil
Blister
A local swelling of the skin that contains watery fluid and is caused by burning or irritation.
Boil
(with reference to food) cook or be cooked by immersing in boiling water or stock
Make the sauce while the lobsters are boiling
Boil the potatoes until well done
Blister
A similar swelling on a plant.
Boil
(of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy
A huge cliff with the black sea boiling below
Blister
A raised bubble, as on a painted or laminated surface.
Boil
The temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapour
Bring the sauce to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes
Blister
A rounded, bulging, usually transparent structure, such as one used for observation on certain aircraft or for display and protection of packaged products.
Boil
A casual outdoor meal at which shellfish is prepared by boiling
The reappearance of warm days signals another revival: weekend crawfish boils
Blister
To cause a blister to form on.
Boil
An inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, caused typically by the infection of a hair follicle.
Blister
To reprove harshly.
Boil
To change from a liquid to a vapor by the application of heat
All the water boiled away and left the kettle dry.
Blister
To break out in or as if in blisters.
Boil
To reach the boiling point.
Blister
A swelling on a plant.
Boil
To undergo the action of boiling, especially in being cooked.
Blister
(medicine) Something applied to the skin to raise a blister; a vesicatory or other applied medicine.
Boil
To be in a state of agitation; seethe
A river boiling over the rocks.
Blister
A bubble, as on a painted surface.
Boil
To be stirred up or greatly excited, especially in anger
The mere idea made me boil.
Blister
(roofing) An enclosed pocket of air, which may be mixed with water or solvent vapor, trapped between impermeable layers of felt or between the membrane and substrate.
Boil
To vaporize (a liquid) by the application of heat.
Blister
A type of pre-formed packaging made from plastic that contains cavities.
Blister card
Blister pack
Boil
To heat to the boiling point.
Blister
A cause of annoyance.
Boil
To cook or clean by boiling.
Blister
(uncountable) A form of smelted copper with a blistered surface.
Boil
To separate by evaporation in the process of boiling
Boil the maple sap.
Blister
(transitive) To raise blisters on.
A chemical agent that blisters the skin
Boil
The condition or act of boiling.
Blister
To sear after blaching.
Boil
Lower Southern US A picnic featuring shrimp, crab, or crayfish boiled in large pots with spices, and then shelled and eaten by hand.
Blister
(intransitive) To have a blister form.
Boil
An agitated, swirling, roiling mass of liquid
"Those tumbling boils show a dissolving bar and a changing channel there" (Mark Twain).
Blister
(transitive) To criticise severely.
Boil
A painful, circumscribed pus-filled inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue usually caused by a local staphylococcal infection. Also called furuncle.
Blister
(intransitive) To break out in blisters.
Boil
A localized accumulation of pus in the skin, resulting from infection.
Blister
A vesicle of the skin, containing watery matter or serum, whether occasioned by a burn or other injury, or by a vesicatory; a collection of serous fluid causing a bladderlike elevation of the cuticle.
And painful blisters swelled my tender hands.
Boil
The point at which fluid begins to change to a vapour; the boiling point.
Add the noodles when the water comes to the boil.
Blister
Any elevation made by the separation of the film or skin, as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the surface, as on steel.
Boil
A dish of boiled food, especially based on seafood.
Blister
A vesicatory; a plaster of Spanish flies, or other matter, applied to raise a blister.
Boil
The collective noun for a group of hawks.
Blister
To be affected with a blister or blisters; to have a blister form on.
Let my tongue blister.
Boil
A bubbling.
Blister
To raise a blister or blisters upon.
My hands were blistered.
Boil
To heat to the point where it begins to turn into a gas.
Boil some water in a pan.
Blister
To give pain to, or to injure, as if by a blister.
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongue.
Boil
(ambitransitive) To cook in boiling water.
Boil the eggs for three minutes.
Is the rice boiling yet?
Blister
(pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid
Boil
To begin to turn into a gas, seethe.
Pure water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Blister
Get blistered;
Her feet blistered during the long hike
Boil
To bring to a boil, to heat so as to cause the contents to boil.
Blister
Subject to harsh criticism;
The Senator blistered the administration in his speech on Friday
The professor scaled the students
Your invectives scorched the community
Boil
To be uncomfortably hot.
It’s boiling outside!
Blister
Cause blisters to from on;
The tight shoes and perspiration blistered her feet
Boil
To feel uncomfortably hot.
I’m boiling in here – could you open the window?
Boil
(transitive) To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation.
To boil sugar or salt
Boil
(obsolete) To steep or soak in warm water.
Boil
To be agitated like boiling water; to bubble; to effervesce.
The boiling waves of the sea
Boil
To be agitated, or tumultuously moved, as a liquid by the generation and rising of bubbles of steam (or vapor), or of currents produced by heating it to the boiling point; to be in a state of ebullition; as, the water boils.
Boil
To be agitated like boiling water, by any other cause than heat; to bubble; to effervesce; as, the boiling waves.
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot.
Boil
To pass from a liquid to an aëriform state or vapor when heated; as, the water boils away.
Boil
To be in boiling water, as in cooking; as, the potatoes are boiling.
Boil
To heat to the boiling point, or so as to cause ebullition; as, to boil water.
Boil
To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation; as, to boil sugar or salt.
Boil
To subject to the action of heat in a boiling liquid so as to produce some specific effect, as cooking, cleansing, etc.; as, to boil meat; to boil clothes.
The stomach cook is for the hall,And boileth meate for them all.
Boil
To steep or soak in warm water.
To try whether seeds be old or new, the sense can not inform; but if you boil them in water, the new seeds will sprout sooner.
Boil
Act or state of boiling.
Boil
A painful sore with a hard pus-filled core
Boil
The temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level;
The brought to water to a boil
Boil
Come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor;
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
Boil
Cook in boiling liquid;
Boil potatoes
Boil
Bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point;
Boil this liquid until it evaporates
Boil
Be agitated;
The sea was churning in the storm
Boil
Be in an agitated emotional state;
The customer was seething with anger
Common Curiosities
How long do blisters and boils take to heal?
Blisters usually heal within a week without intervention. Boils may take 1-3 weeks to heal, depending on treatment.
Is it safe to pop a blister or boil?
It's generally not safe to pop either, as this can lead to infection. Boils may need medical drainage.
Can a blister become a boil?
No, a blister does not become a boil. Blisters are caused by friction or burns, while boils are infections of hair follicles.
Are there preventive measures for both boils and blisters?
Yes, good hygiene can help prevent boils, while reducing friction and protecting the skin can help prevent blisters.
Are boils contagious?
The bacteria causing boils can be contagious. Personal hygiene and not sharing towels or razors can prevent spread.
How can I tell if my boil is infected?
All boils are infections. Signs of a severe infection include fever, increased redness, and severe pain.
What home care can I use for blisters?
Protecting the blister with a bandage and keeping it clean are key. Avoid popping it to prevent infection.
Can boils spread to other parts of the body?
Yes, bacteria from a boil can spread and cause more boils or other infections.
Can friction cause boils?
Friction does not directly cause boils, but it can irritate the skin, potentially making it more susceptible to infections.
Do boils and blisters require different treatments?
Yes, treatment approaches differ due to their different causes and nature.
Can stress cause boils or blisters?
Stress doesn't directly cause either but can weaken the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections like boils.
Can over-the-counter medications treat boils or blisters?
Over-the-counter treatments can aid in relieving symptoms but may not be sufficient for treating the underlying cause of boils. For blisters, protective and antiseptic products can help in healing.
When should I see a doctor for a boil or blister?
See a doctor for a boil if it's very painful, doesn't drain, or you have a fever. For blisters, seek medical advice if it becomes infected.
Can both blisters and boils occur anywhere on the body?
Yes, but boils typically occur in areas with hair follicles, while blisters often occur on hands and feet due to friction.
What are the risk factors for developing boils?
Poor hygiene, diabetes, compromised immunity, and close contact with someone who has a staph infection are risk factors.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
