Localized infections of hair follicles are called boils or:

• A. cellulitis
• B. abscesses
• C. carbuncles
• D. furuncles

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the terminology related to localized infections of hair follicles. A boil is a common term for an infection that starts in a hair follicle.
2. Recall that a 'furuncle' is the medical term for a boil, which is a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected hair follicles.
3. Differentiate between similar terms: 'cellulitis' refers to a diffuse infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, not limited to hair follicles.
4. 'Abscesses' are collections of pus that can occur in various tissues but are not specific to hair follicles.
5. 'Carbuncles' are clusters of interconnected furuncles, meaning multiple boils that have merged together.
6. Therefore, the correct term specifically for a localized infection of a single hair follicle, also known as a boil, is 'furuncle'.