furuncle /fyo͝or″ungkəl/ [L, furunculus, petty thief] , a localized suppurative staphylococcal skin infection originating in a gland or hair follicle and characterized by pain, redness, and swelling. Necrosis deep in the center of the inflamed area forms a core of dead tissue that is spontaneously extruded, eventually resorbed, or surgically removed. It is important to avoid irritating or squeezing the lesion to prevent spread of the infection. Treatment may include antibiotics, local moist heat, and, when there is definite fluctuation and the hard white core is evident, incision and drainage. Also called boil. Compare carbuncle. −furunculous, adj.
