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 often contains pus.
When a person has many carbuncles, the condition is called carbunculosis.
Skin infection - staphylococcal; Infection - skin - staph; Staph skin infection; Carbunculosis; Boil
Most carbuncles are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus).
A carbuncle is a cluster 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.
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.
The bacteria that cause this condition spread easily. So, 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:
People with diabetes, dermatitis, and a weakened immune system are more likely to develop staph infections that can cause carbuncles.
Staph bacteria are sometimes found in the nose or around the genitals. Carbuncles can recur when antibiotics are not able to treat the bacteria in those areas.
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.
A carbuncle usually:
Sometimes, other symptoms may occur. These may include:
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:
Treatment helps reduce complications related to an infection. Your provider may prescribe:
Deep or large carbuncles may need to be drained by your provider.
Proper hygiene is very important to prevent the spread of infection.
Glenn Preminger is an Urologist in Durham, North Carolina. Preminger has been practicing medicine for over 46 years and is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Carbuncle. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Perirenal Abscess, Endoscopy, and Stent Placement. He is licensed to treat patients in North Carolina. Preminger is currently accepting new patients.
Roger Sur is an Urologist in San Diego, California. Sur has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Carbuncle. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Boils, Endoscopy, and Stent Placement. He is licensed to treat patients in California. Sur is currently accepting new patients.
Sriharan Sivalingam is an Urologist in Twinsburg, Ohio. Sivalingam has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Carbuncle. He is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Boils, UPJ Obstruction, and Carbuncle. He is licensed to treat patients in Wisconsin. Sivalingam is currently accepting new patients.
Carbuncles may heal on their own. Others usually respond well to treatment.
Rare complications of carbuncles include:
Call your provider if:
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 S aureus, your provider may give you antibiotics to prevent future infection.
Summary: This study will examine pathophysiology and immune response of anthrax in infected or exposed individuals to learn more about the disease symptoms, prevention and response to treatment. In addition, it will evaluate immune response to the anthrax vaccine AVA (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) in healthy, non-infected individuals. The following individuals may be eligible for this study: People with confir...
Summary: This study will evaluate safety and clinical benefit of AIGIV used for treatment of patients with inhalational anthrax. This study will be implemented only in the event of a major anthrax exposure event. The study is designed to collect information on safety, clinical benefit (such as extent of anthrax illness and survival) and serum concentrations of AIGIV (for AIGIV pharmacokinetics) and anthrax...
Published Date: April 14, 2021
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ambrose G, Berlin D. Incision and drainage. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 37.
Dinulos JGH. Bacterial infections. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 9.
Sommer LL, Reboli AC, Heymann WR. Bacterial diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2018:chap 74.