Carbunculosis
Alternative names:
carbuncles; infection - skin - staph; skin infection - staphylococcal; staph skin infection
Symptoms:
- skin lesions
- papule or nodule
- usually pea-sized, may occasionally be as large as a golf ball
- swollen
- pink or red
- may grow rapidly
- may develop white or yellow centers (pustules)
- may weep, ooze, or crust
- maybe located with hair follicles
- tender, mildly to moderately painful
- may be single or multiple
- may run together (coalesce) or spread to other skin areas
- pain increases as pus and dead tissue fills the area
- pain decreases as the area drains
- skin redness or inflammation around the boil
- fever (occasionally)
- fatigue (occasionally)
- general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) (occasionally)
Note: Itching (pruritus) of the skin may occur before the skin lesions develop.
Signs and tests:
Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin. Skin or mucosal biopsy culture may show staphylococcus or other bacteria.
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