Boils and CarbunclesBoils and Carbuncles

Alex RosenbluthAlex Rosenbluth

General infoGeneral info

Boils and Carbuncles are puss-filled Boils and Carbuncles are puss-filled bumps under the skinbumps under the skin

They occur when bacteria infect and They occur when bacteria infect and inflame hair folliclesinflame hair follicles

A carbuncle is a cluster of boilsA carbuncle is a cluster of boils

Boil SymptomsBoil Symptoms

A boil appears as a red or pink bump A boil appears as a red or pink bump ½ to ¾ inches in diameter½ to ¾ inches in diameter

In a few days, it fills with pus and In a few days, it fills with pus and grows larger and more painfulgrows larger and more painful

They can appear anywhere, but most They can appear anywhere, but most commonly on the face, neck, commonly on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs armpits, buttocks or thighs

Carbuncle SymptomsCarbuncle Symptoms

Cluster of boils that occur on the Cluster of boils that occur on the back of the neck, shoulders or thighs back of the neck, shoulders or thighs

Cause more severe infection than Cause more severe infection than boils doboils do

Develop more slowly and heal slower Develop more slowly and heal slower than boils dothan boils do

Carbuncles can occur with fever, Carbuncles can occur with fever, headache, and fatigueheadache, and fatigue

Causes of Boils/CarbunclesCauses of Boils/Carbuncles

Form when hair follicles become Form when hair follicles become infected with staph bacteriainfected with staph bacteria

Staph bacteria enters through a cut, Staph bacteria enters through a cut, scratch, or other break in the skinscratch, or other break in the skin

White blood cells rush to the sight, White blood cells rush to the sight, causing inflammation and the causing inflammation and the formation of pusformation of pus

TreatmentsTreatments

A doctor can drain a boil or carbuncle A doctor can drain a boil or carbuncle by making a small incision in the tipby making a small incision in the tip

Boils that can’t be drained can be Boils that can’t be drained can be covered in gauze so that the pus covered in gauze so that the pus may continue to drainmay continue to drain

Antibiotics can also help to heal the Antibiotics can also help to heal the infectioninfection

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bohttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils-and-carbuncles/DS00466ils-and-carbuncles/DS00466

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/Chttp://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C120793.html120793.html

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/W/9339/31160.htmlW/9339/31160.html