What causes boils?

Strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Also anthrax, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne vulgaris, SAPHO syndrome, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis and Impetigo herpetiformis

A boil is a lot like a zit that is either near the surface of the epidermus (skin) or below the surface. The term "boil" is often a misdiagnosis of the problem, leaving epidermal cysts and acne out of the list of possibilities entirely. If you are experiencing symptoms like burning, itching, fever, or if you suffer from diabetes, chances are you have a boil and if you're suffering from a fever or diabetes it's time to go see the doctor. The causes of boils are numerous. Boils can be caused by an infected cut; boils can be caused by an infected hair follicle; boils can even be caused by the use of antibiotics; but the most common cause of boils is staphylococcus aureus, or staph for short. Staph is a bacteria that lives on the skin of many a person, often times accumulating in the nose of said individual--giving people a new reason to be anxious about an itchy nose. But seriously, most people who are carrying staph don't even know it. They produce none of the symptoms and show no boils. It is for this reason that if you end up getting boils, you should be tested immediately for a staph infection. Poor hygiene can cause boils as can an Iron deficiency.
Ingrown hair