======Boils======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** None (This is a condition, not a single spell)
  * **Pronunciation:** N/A
  * **Wand Movement:** N/A
  * **Light:** N/A
  * **Effect:** Causes the victim's skin to erupt in painful, pus-filled boils. The severity and coverage can vary depending on the cause.
  * **Type:** Magical Ailment / Jinx or Curse side-effect
=====History and Known Uses=====
Boils are a common magical affliction mentioned several times throughout the series, often resulting from potion-making accidents or specific jinxes.
  * In their first [[Potions]] lesson, [[Harry Potter]] and his classmates were tasked with brewing a [[Boil Cure Potion]]. During this class, [[Neville Longbottom]] melted his cauldron, and the resulting potion splashed onto his arms and legs, causing them to be covered in angry red boils. [[Professor Snape]] had him sent to the [[Hospital Wing]].
  * The [[Weasley twins]], [[Fred and George Weasley]], were known to use first-year students to test their prototype [[Skiving Snackboxes]]. Some of these products had the unfortunate side effect of causing the user to break out in boils.
  * During the [[Second Task]] of the [[Triwizard Tournament]], [[Harry]] used the [[Furnunculus Curse]] on [[Gregory Goyle]]. However, [[Goyle]] was attempting to use the [[Densaugeo]] jinx at the same time, and the spells collided. [[Hermione Granger]], standing between them, was hit by stray light from both spells, causing her teeth to lengthen and her nose to erupt in boils. [[Professor Snape]] sent her to [[Madam Pomfrey]] for treatment.
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
As a common ailment, there are well-known remedies for boils.
  * **[[Boil Cure Potion]]:** This is the most direct and widely known cure. It is a fundamental potion taught to first-year students at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. Its ingredients include dried [[nettles]], crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, and porcupine quills.
  * **General Healing Magic:** A competent healer, such as [[Madam Pomfrey]], can presumably cure boils with relative ease using unspecified healing [[spells]].
  * **Defensive Spells:** When boils are caused by a specific spell like the [[Furnunculus Curse]], they can be prevented by a standard [[Shield Charm]] ([[Protego]]) or by dodging the jet of light.
=====Etymology=====
The term "boil" is a direct use of the standard English word for a painful, pus-filled skin infection, typically caused by a bacterium. Its use in the wizarding world highlights how magic can replicate or induce ailments familiar to [[Muggles]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * Boils and the [[Boil Cure Potion]] feature in several [[Harry Potter]] video games, often as one of the first potions the player learns to brew, mirroring its introduction in the novels. It typically serves as a basic healing or antidote item. (video game)