Jump to content

Difference between pimple, cyst, and boil?

Featured Replies

Are they all folluculitides? Can an inflamed epidermoid cyst be considered an ectopic intradermal infundibular folliculitis?

In short, no. Although common usage is sometimes a bit imprecise.

A cyst per se is not necessarily inflamed but can be classified by based on from what tissue they are formed. Epidermoid cysts are therefore also termed follicular infundibular cysts as most commonly the lesions resulting in these types of cysts result from follicular infundibulum. Histologically they are lined with a flattened epithelial layer with keratin inclusions. There cysts that originate from different tissue are named differently.

The important bit, however is that cysts are not necessarily inflamed, whereas pimples and boils refer to infected tissue. Boils refers to deep follicular infections and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Boils are a form of folliculitis, but there are other microorganisms that can be responsible to various forms of folliculitis (yeasts are not uncommon, for example).

Pimples, on the other hand are more superficial and caused by blocked pores in which bacteria accumulate. Typically, you'll find Propionibacteria here

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.