Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...

A painful bump on or around the ear may be a boil, which occurs when a bacterial skin infection develops in a hair follicle or oil gland. Over time, pus collects in the lump. Boil sometimes go away, ...

Boils are painful, pus-filled, and are caused by infections like Staphylococcus aureus. Cysts are painless, non-infectious growths filled with keratin or other substances. Antibiotics may treat boils ...