Pathology
- Furuncle
- Infection of hair follicles with staphyloccocus aureus
- Carbuncle
- Extensive infection of hair follicles by staphylococcus aureus
- Involvement of adjacent follicles and development of draining sinuses
- Associated with diabetes and is treated by combination of systemic antibiotics and surgical excision
Approach
- Examine as for any lump
- Inspect
- any hair-bearing area of the skin, particularly face, neck ,buttocks, groins, axillae
- May be multiple
- Palpation
- Tender
Completion
- Look for other affected areas
- Establish predisposing risk factors - DM, steroids, immunodeficiencies
Treatment
- Non-surgical
- Risk factor modification - establish good diabetic control
- Surgical
- Incision and drainage of large and painful boils