Skin

Abscess or boil: virtual care options

A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms around a hair follicle, and an abscess is a larger pocket of pus under the skin. Both are usually caused by bacteria and can grow over a few days.

See virtual care for Abscess or boil

You’ll leave ER.com for the provider’s website to check availability, eligibility, pricing, coverage, and care details. ER.com may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no added cost to you.

Common symptoms

What people often notice. Only a provider can tell you what’s causing yours.

A red, swollen, painful lump
A lump that gets bigger and softer over a few days
A white or yellow point at the center
Pus or fluid draining from the bump
Warmth and redness around the area

What a virtual visit may involve

Care is decided by the provider, based on your situation.

A video or online visit where a licensed provider asks about the size, location, and how long it has been there
Sharing photos of the bump and the skin around it
A provider may recommend care steps or prescribe treatment if appropriate
Guidance on whether the bump likely needs to be drained in person

When in-person care may be better

Urgent care, your doctor, or a clinic can examine and test you.

The lump is large, very painful, or has not drained on its own
It is on your face, spine, groin, or buttocks
You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
Boils keep coming back

When to go to the ER

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

Fever or chills along with the lump
Redness or red streaks spreading from the area
A boil on the face with swelling around the eye or a severe headache
Rapidly worsening pain or swelling, or feeling very unwell

Ready to explore a virtual visit for Abscess or boil?

Check availability, pricing, and care details directly with the provider. You’ll leave ER.com when you continue.

Continue to provider

ER.com may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no added cost to you.

Common questions

Abscess or boil, answered.

General information, not medical advice. A provider can answer questions about your situation.

Can a boil be treated online?

A provider can often evaluate a small boil in a virtual visit with photos and advise on next steps. Many larger abscesses need to be drained in person, which cannot be done online.

Should I pop or squeeze a boil?

Squeezing or cutting a boil yourself can push the infection deeper or spread it. It is safer to let a provider decide whether it needs to be drained.

What is the difference between a boil and an abscess?

A boil is a type of abscess that starts in a hair follicle and is usually smaller. An abscess can form deeper in the skin or elsewhere in the body and is often larger.

This is not for emergencies.

For life-threatening symptoms, severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.