Carbuncles And Furuncles

Furuncle involves the spread of infection not only in the follicles of the hair but also includes the tissue around the hair follicles. In the case of men, the furuncles appear on the back of the neck and when several furuncles connect subcutaneously then it is called carbuncle.

Cause

Carbuncles and furuncles are mainly caused due to Staphylococcus aureus. It is a bacterium that grows on agar plates in the laboratory as golden yellow spots. It is due to its golden appearance that it got its name aureus. The bacteria multiply very fast. It can penetrate the wound from a knife injury or a gun shot and penetrate from the object to the wound. In case the bacterium penetrates the skin the physician will have 4-6 hours to clean up the wound and stitch it up. In case the bacteria is not cleaned within the time frame or is not removed properly an abscess is formed. In such a case pus is formed under pressure. If the bacteria are not cleaned up properly it spreads through the blood and lymphatic vessels

Symptoms

Furuncles

In furuncles the lesion themselves are the primary symptom. Other symptoms are:

·          In the early stage they are small firm and tender red nodule.

·          They are either pink or red

·          They grow rapidly

·          They may develop yellow or white symptoms.

·          They are tender

Carbuncles

·          The skin lesion is a nodule or papule.

·          It is generally swollen and red or pink in color.

·          It is located with the hair follicles and is mildly painful.

·          They may ooze, weep or crust.

·          It may occasionally cause     uneasiness

Treatment

Carbuncles

Carbuncles or larger boils can be treated with antibiotics. In some cases the doctor may make a small incision to drain the affected area. This would alleviate pain and increase the recovery process and limit the scar formation. Antibiotic may not be necessary if the infection has been completely drained. The doctor may fill the empty pocket with a bit of sterile gauze if the infection is deep. The incision can be kept open with the gauze thus allowing the pus to flow out.

Furuncles

The treatment of furuncles includes cleansing and warm compressing. Drugs like Dicloxacillin (Pathocil) 500 mg PO qid are used for these cases. In mild case antibiotic creams like ELICINA® can easily cure the disease. For severe and extensive cases oral antibiotic are used. Early lesion should not be surgically incised as it may cause local extension but when the lesion seem to become fluctant then drainage can be used as an option.