Cyst vs. Boil — What's the Difference?

A cyst can contain air, fluid, or semi-solid material.

Boils can be caused by staphylococcal bacteria.

A cyst is a sac-like pocket of membranous tissue.

Boils can be painful and grow rapidly.

Cysts may or may not cause symptoms.

Boils often require drainage and sometimes antibiotic treatment.

Cysts are typically benign growths.

A boil, also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is most commonly caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue.

A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct envelope and division compared with the nearby tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of cells that have grouped together to form a sac (like the manner in which water molecules group together to form a bubble); however, the distinguishing aspect of a cyst is that the cells forming the "shell" of such a sac are distinctly abnormal (in both appearance and behaviour) when compared with all surrounding cells for that given location.

(with reference to a liquid) reach or cause to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour

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

(with reference to food) cook or be cooked by immersing in boiling water or stock

A sac or vesicle in the body.

(of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy

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

The temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapour

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

A casual outdoor meal at which shellfish is prepared by boiling

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.

An inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, caused typically by the infection of a hair follicle.

(medicine) Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder or gall bladder (in compounds).

To change from a liquid to a vapor by the application of heat

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.

To reach the boiling point.

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.

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

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.

To be in a state of agitation; seethe

A closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure

To be stirred up or greatly excited, especially in anger

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

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

Cysts can develop due to infections, genetic conditions, or blocked ducts.

To heat to the boiling point.

To cook or clean by boiling.

To separate by evaporation in the process of boiling

The condition or act of boiling.

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

An agitated, swirling, roiling mass of liquid

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

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

The point at which fluid begins to change to a vapour; the boiling point.

A dish of boiled food, especially based on seafood.

The collective noun for a group of hawks.

A bubbling.

To heat to the point where it begins to turn into a gas.

(ambitransitive) To cook in boiling water.

To begin to turn into a gas, seethe.

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

To be uncomfortably hot.

To feel uncomfortably hot.

(transitive) To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation.

(obsolete) To steep or soak in warm water.

To be agitated like boiling water; to bubble; to effervesce.

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid.

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.

To be agitated like boiling water, by any other cause than heat; to bubble; to effervesce; as, the boiling waves.

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

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid; as, his blood boils with anger.

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

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

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

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.

To steep or soak in warm water.

Act or state of boiling.

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.

A painful sore with a hard pus-filled core

The temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level;

Come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor;

Cook in boiling liquid;

Bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point;

Be agitated;

Be in an agitated emotional state;

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland.

Boils are red, swollen, and filled with pus.

While most cysts are benign, some can become cancerous. It's essential to consult a physician if concerned.

Boils are typically tender and painful, while cysts may be painless or only slightly tender.

A cyst is a closed, sac-like structure often filled with fluid, pus, or other material, which can develop on various parts of the body.

Boils are typically caused by bacterial infections, often from staphylococcal bacteria.

Often, boils require drainage. If caused by bacterial infections, antibiotics might also be prescribed.

Yes, bacteria from a boil can spread to other areas or individuals, especially if the boil is squeezed or ruptured.

Cysts can be diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasounds, or biopsies.

Yes, the bacteria causing boils can be contagious, especially if the pus from the boil comes into contact with open skin.

With proper treatment, most boils heal within a week or two.

Yes, recurrent skin issues like cysts or boils may indicate an underlying health issue and should be evaluated by a doctor.

It's not recommended. Popping can lead to infections or the spread of bacteria. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, if they rupture or if they're not treated properly, both can leave scars.

Maintaining proper hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items, and treating minor skin wounds promptly can help prevent boils.

Some cysts may disappear over time without treatment, while others might persist.

While many cysts are harmless, some can cause pain, rupture, or lead to infections.