2. What are Boils and
Carbuncles?
๏ง Boils and Carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under
your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair
follicles.
๏ง Boils usually start as red tender lumps.
๏ง A Carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a connected area of
infection under the skin.
3. Who can get boils and
carbuncles?
๏ง A boil or carbuncle can occur in anyone.
๏ง They are uncommon in children and the
majority of people who get them are
teenagers and young adults.
๏ง However, you have a higher risk of
developing a boil or carbuncle if you have
eczema, scabies, if you are obese, have a
poor immune system, an illness making you
frail or unwell, or if you are a carrier of
staphylococcal bacteria.
4. As you can see on the right is a carbuncle
(cluster of boils that are puss-filled, and on
the left is a boil alone.
Boil Carbuncle
5. Where can you find boils and
carbuncles??
๏ง Carbuncles are normally found around the neck
and shoulder region.
๏ง Boils can be found on the face, scalp, neck,
armpits, lower back, thigh, groin, or buttocks.
Boils on the neck and buttocks
6. What are the signs and symptoms
of boils and carbuncles??
๏ง Symptoms for boils and carbuncles include:
๏ง Redness
๏ง Swelling (lump)
๏ง Tenderness to touch or severe pain
๏ง A lump filled with white or yellowish pus
forming a head or tip.
๏ง The symptoms of a carbuncle are the same
but more severe than a boil.
7. Home treatment may includeโฆ
๏ง Put warm, moist compresses on the boil or
carbuncle for 1o to 15 minutes for at least 3
times a day.
๏ง Clean the sore with antiseptic soap and
protect it with a loose gauze.
๏ง For pain relief you can take tylenol, or
ibuprophen.
๏ง By doing these steps it will help reduce the
risk of spreading infection.
8. You should contact your physician
if :
-A boil does not drain and heal with
treatment at home.
-If the boil lasts for longer than 1
week.
-If the boil becomes very painful.
When to contact your physicianโฆ
9. This is an image of a
boil/carbuncle gone badโฆ
