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Carbuncle
Skin infection - staphylococcal; Infection - skin - staph; Staph skin infection; Carbunculosis; Boil
A carbuncle is a skin infection that often involves a group of hair follicles. The infected material forms a lump, which occurs deep in the skin and may contain pus.
When a person has many carbuncles, the condition is called carbunculosis.
Causes
Most carbuncles are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus . The infection is contagious. This means it can spread to other areas of the body or other people.
A carbuncle is made up of several skin boils ( furuncles ). The infected mass is filled with fluid, pus, and dead tissue. Fluid may drain out of the carbuncle, but sometimes the mass is so deep that it cannot drain on its own.
Furuncles
A boil is an infection that affects groups of hair follicles and nearby skin tissue. Related conditions include:CarbunculosisFolliculitis
Carbuncles can develop anywhere. But they are most common on the back and the nape of the neck. Men get carbuncles more often than women.
Because the bacteria that causes the condition is contagious, family members may develop carbuncles at the same time. Often, the cause of a carbuncle cannot be determined.
You are more likely to get a carbuncle if you have:
- Friction from clothing or shaving
- Poor hygiene
- Poor overall health
Persons with diabetes, dermatitis, and a weakened immune system are more likely to develop staph infections that can cause carbuncles.
Symptoms
A carbuncle is a swollen lump or mass under the skin. It may be the size of a pea or as large as a golf ball. The carbuncle may be red and irritated and might hurt when you touch it.
It may also:
- Grow very fast
-
Have a white or yellow center (contain
pus
)
Pus
Pustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Weep, ooze, or crust
- Spread to other skin areas
Sometimes, other symptoms may occur. These may include:
-
Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
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Fever
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - General discomfort or sick feeling
- Skin itching before the carbuncle develops
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will look at your skin. The diagnosis is based on what the skin looks like. A sample of the pus may be sent to a lab to determine the bacteria causing the infection (bacterial culture). The test result helps your provider determine the appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Carbuncles usually must drain before they will heal. This most often occurs on its own in less than 2 weeks.
Placing a warm moist cloth on the carbuncle helps it to drain, which speeds healing. Apply a clean, warm moist cloth several times each day. Never squeeze a boil or try to cut it open at home, because this can spread the infection and make it worse.
You need to seek treatment if the carbuncle:
- Lasts longer than 2 weeks
- Returns frequently
- Is located on the spine or the middle of the face
- Occurs with a fever or other systemic symptoms
Treatment helps reduce complications related to an infection.Your provider may prescribe:
- Antibacterial soaps
- Antibiotics applied to the skin or taken by mouth
Deep or large lesions may need to be drained by your provider.
Proper hygiene is very important to prevent the spread of infection.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching a carbuncle.
- Do not re-use or share washcloths or towels. This can cause the infection to spread.
- Clothing, washcloths, towels, and sheets or other items that contact infected areas should be washed in very hot (preferably boiling) water.
- Bandages should be changed often and thrown away in a bag that can be tightly closed.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Carbuncles may heal on their own. Others usually respond well to treatment. A carbuncle can return again and again for months or years following the first infection.
Possible Complications
Untreated, carbuncles may lead to any of the following:
-
Abscess
of the
brain
, skin,
spinal cord
, or organs such as the kidneys
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBrain
A brain abscess is a collection of pus, immune cells, and other material in the brain, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleSpinal cord
Spinal cord abscess is the swelling and irritation (inflammation) and the collection of infected material (pus) and germs in or around the spinal cor...
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Endocarditis
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely a fun...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is mainly caused by bacteria or other germs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Permanent scarring of the skin
-
Sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Spread of infection to other areas
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- A carbuncle does not heal with home treatment within 2 weeks
- Carbuncles come back often
- A carbuncle is located on the face or spine
- You have a fever, red streaks running from the sore, a lot of swelling around the carbuncle, or pain that gets worse
Prevention
Good general health and hygiene may help prevent some staph skin infections. These infections are contagious, so care must be taken to avoid spreading the bacteria to other people.
If you get carbuncles often, your provider may give you antibiotics to prevent them.
If you are a carrier of staph aureus, your provider may give you antibiotics to prevent future infection.
References
Millett CR, Halpern AV, Reboli AC, Heymann WR. Bacterial diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, eds. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 74.
Pallin DJ, Nassisi D. Skin and soft tissue infections. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds.
Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice.
8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 137.
-
Skin layers - illustration
The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation. When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to. Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.
Skin layers
illustration
-
Skin layers - illustration
The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation. When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to. Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.
Skin layers
illustration
Review Date: 4/14/2015
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
