Boils begin with signs of infection in the skin and develop into soft lumps. After four to seven days, these lumps often turn white as pus accumulates beneath the skin. Boils most frequently appear on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. When a boil forms on the eyelid, it is known as a stye. In some cases, boils can appear all over the body.

Impetigo is a common superficial bacterial infection of the skin, characterised by vesicles that rapidly become purulent and then rupture, leaving shallow erosions and honey-coloured crusts. The term impetiginisation is used to describe superficial secondary infections of a wound or skin condition. When the lesion ulcerates deeply it is called impetigo.