Difference Between
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Boil vs. Cyst: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infection, while a cyst is a typically non-infectious, closed pocket of tissue that may contain fluid, air, or other substances.
Boil vs. Cyst

Key Differences

A boil, medically known as a furuncle, is an infection of a hair follicle, resulting in a red, swollen, and painful lump filled with pus. A cyst, on the other hand, is a benign growth that forms a sac and can appear anywhere on the body.
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Boils are usually caused by bacterial infections, particularly by Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, cysts can be caused by a variety of factors, including blocked ducts, infections, or chronic inflammatory conditions.
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The treatment for a boil typically involves antibiotics or drainage if necessary, while a cyst may not require treatment unless it becomes infected, uncomfortable, or aesthetically concerning.
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Boils often resolve spontaneously or with medical treatment, but they can recur in certain individuals. Cysts can remain stable in size or grow slowly and may persist if not surgically removed.
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In terms of symptoms, a boil is typically painful and filled with pus, while a cyst is usually painless unless infected and feels like a lump under the skin.
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Comparison Chart

Cause

Bacterial infection
Various causes including blocked ducts
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Characteristics

Painful, pus-filled
Closed sac, may contain fluid or air
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Treatment

Antibiotics, drainage
Observation, possible surgical removal
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Recurrence

Can recur, especially in certain cases
Typically stable unless infected
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Symptomatology

Red, swollen lump
Non-tender lump, unless infected
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Boil and Cyst Definitions

Boil

Infected hair follicle
The boil on his neck was red and painful.
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Cyst

Non-infectious growth
The dermatologist confirmed the lump was a harmless cyst.
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Boil

Staphylococcus-related
The boil was caused by a staph infection.
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Cyst

Surgical removal possible
She had her cyst surgically removed due to discomfort.
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Boil

Medical drainage required
The doctor had to drain the large boil.
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Cyst

Benign sac
The ultrasound revealed a simple cyst on her ovary.
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Boil

To change from a liquid to a vapor by the application of heat
All the water boiled away and left the kettle dry.
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Cyst

Can appear anywhere
A cyst can develop in various parts of the body.
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Boil

To reach the boiling point.
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Cyst

An abnormal membranous sac in the body containing a gaseous, liquid, or semisolid substance.
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Boil

To undergo the action of boiling, especially in being cooked.
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Cyst

A sac or vesicle in the body.
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Boil

To be in a state of agitation; seethe
A river boiling over the rocks.
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Cyst

(Biology) A small capsulelike sac that encloses certain organisms in their dormant or larval stage.
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Boil

To be stirred up or greatly excited, especially in anger
The mere idea made me boil.
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Cyst

(Botany) A thick-walled resting spore, as in certain algae or fungi.
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Boil

To vaporize (a liquid) by the application of heat.
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Cyst

A pouch or sac without opening, usually membranous and containing morbid matter, which develops in one of the natural cavities or in the substance of an organ.
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Boil

To heat to the boiling point.
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Cyst

(medicine) Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder or gall bladder (in compounds).
Cystectomy, cystitis, cystoscopy
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Boil

To cook or clean by boiling.
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Cyst

A pouch or sac without opening, usually membranous and containing morbid matter, which is accidentally developed in one of the natural cavities or in the substance of an organ.
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Boil

To separate by evaporation in the process of boiling
Boil the maple sap.
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Cyst

One of the bladders or air vessels of certain algæ, as of the great kelp of the Pacific, and common rockweeds (Fuci) of our shores.
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Boil

The condition or act of boiling.
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Cyst

A small capsule or sac of the kind in which many immature entozoans exist in the tissues of living animals; also, a similar form in Rotifera, etc.
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Boil

Lower Southern US A picnic featuring shrimp, crab, or crayfish boiled in large pots with spices, and then shelled and eaten by hand.
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Cyst

A closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure
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Boil

An agitated, swirling, roiling mass of liquid
"Those tumbling boils show a dissolving bar and a changing channel there" (Mark Twain).
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Cyst

A small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure (especially one containing fluid)
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Boil

A painful, circumscribed pus-filled inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue usually caused by a local staphylococcal infection. Also called furuncle.
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Cyst

Fluid-filled pocket
He had a small, fluid-filled cyst on his wrist.
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Boil

A localized accumulation of pus in the skin, resulting from infection.
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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.
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Boil

A dish of boiled food, especially based on seafood.
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Boil

The collective noun for a group of hawks.
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Boil

A bubbling.
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Boil

To heat to the point where it begins to turn into a gas.
Boil some water in a pan.
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Boil

(ambitransitive) To cook in boiling water.
Boil the eggs for three minutes.
Is the rice boiling yet?
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Boil

To begin to turn into a gas, seethe.
Pure water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
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Boil

To bring to a boil, to heat so as to cause the contents to boil.
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Boil

To be uncomfortably hot.
It’s boiling outside!
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Boil

To feel uncomfortably hot.
I’m boiling in here – could you open the window?
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Boil

(transitive) To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation.
To boil sugar or salt
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Boil

(obsolete) To steep or soak in warm water.
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Boil

To be agitated like boiling water; to bubble; to effervesce.
The boiling waves of the sea
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Boil

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid.
His blood boils with anger.
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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.
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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.
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Boil

To pass from a liquid to an aëriform state or vapor when heated; as, the water boils away.
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Boil

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid; as, his blood boils with anger.
Then boiled my breast with flame and burning wrath.
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Boil

To be in boiling water, as in cooking; as, the potatoes are boiling.
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Boil

To heat to the boiling point, or so as to cause ebullition; as, to boil water.
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Boil

To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation; as, to boil sugar or salt.
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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.
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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.
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Boil

Act or state of boiling.
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Boil

A hard, painful, inflamed tumor, which, on suppuration, discharges pus, mixed with blood, and discloses a small fibrous mass of dead tissue, called the core.
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Boil

A painful sore with a hard pus-filled core
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Boil

The temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level;
The brought to water to a boil
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Boil

Come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor;
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
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Boil

Cook in boiling liquid;
Boil potatoes
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Boil

Bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point;
Boil this liquid until it evaporates
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Boil

Be agitated;
The sea was churning in the storm
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Boil

Be in an agitated emotional state;
The customer was seething with anger
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Boil

Pus-filled lump
She applied a warm compress to the boil to ease discomfort.
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Boil

Skin infection
A boil can sometimes be mistaken for a pimple.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can cysts become cancerous?

Most cysts are benign, but some types can potentially become cancerous.
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What causes boils?

Boils are typically caused by bacterial infections.
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What is a boil?

A boil is an infected, pus-filled bump under the skin.
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Are cysts painful?

Cysts are usually painless unless they become infected.
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Can boils occur anywhere on the body?

Boils commonly occur on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and thighs.
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Are cysts always visible?

Some cysts are under the skin and may not be immediately visible.
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What is a cyst?

A cyst is a closed pocket of tissue that can contain fluid, air, or other substances.
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Can boils spread?

Yes, boils can spread bacteria to other parts of the skin.
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How are boils treated?

Boils may be treated with antibiotics or drained by a healthcare professional.
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How can cysts be prevented?

Some cysts can't be prevented, but good hygiene and skin care can reduce the risk.
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Can cysts recur after removal?

Some types of cysts can recur even after surgical removal.
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What are the symptoms of a boil?

Symptoms include a red, swollen, and painful lump on the skin.
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Do boils leave scars?

Some boils can leave scars, especially if they are large or recurrent.
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What are the risks of untreated boils?

Untreated boils can lead to serious infections or spread to other areas.
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Are there home remedies for cysts?

Some small cysts may respond to warm compresses, but medical advice is recommended.
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How long do boils take to heal?

Boils can take a few days to two weeks to heal, depending on severity.
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Can I pop a cyst at home?

It's not recommended to pop a cyst at home due to infection risk.
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What types of cysts are there?

There are various types, including sebaceous, ovarian, and ganglion cysts.
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Do cysts require medical attention?

Cysts often don't require treatment unless they cause discomfort or complications.
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Can lifestyle changes prevent boils?

Good hygiene and proper nutrition can help prevent boils.
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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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