carbuncle
Last reviewed 03/2021
A carbuncle describes confluent infection of multiple, contiguous hair follicles in which the infection is limited to the subcutaneous tissue by overlying dense skin and fascia. The causative organism is usually Staphylococcus aureus.
Carbuncles commonly occur on the back of the neck and in diabetics.
Treatment:
- incision and drainage
- antibiotics e.g. antistaphylococcal penicillins, erythromycin or clindamycin
- measurement of blood glucose in non-diabetics