Carbuncles Symptoms

Boils Treatment » Various Types of Boils » Carbuncles Symptoms

A carbuncle is a type of abscess which is larger than a boil. It has one or more than one openings which drain the pus from the skin. Carbuncles are mainly caused due to bacterial infection. The bacteria responsible for the infection are known as staphylococcus aureus. The carbuncles infection is contagious and can easily spread from one person to other. Here are some carbuncles symptoms that can help you to detect the bacterial infection.

At initial stages, carbuncles start as red, tender lumps which are filled with pus. The lumps grow larger as the amount of pus increases in the lump. As the lumps increase in size, the carbuncles become more painful and later the lumps break up resulting into draining of pus. In simple words, carbuncle is a group of boils which infects the area present below the skin. Experts suggest that squeezing or pricking the carbuncle or boil can spread the infection to other skin areas and might also develop deeper infections beneath the skin.

As discussed, the carbuncles are filled with pus and dead tissues. When the carbuncle matures, it drains the pus out. But sometimes, the mass is deeper inside the skin that the pus cannot drain on its own. In this case, most of the doctors might give you some antibiotics for removing the pus from beneath the skin surface and will remove the carbuncle with the help of some medical devices.

Carbuncles are formed anywhere on the body. But the common place for their formation is nape of the neck and on the back. Men are more prone to carbuncles than women. Here are some causes that are responsible for growth of carbuncles.

Causes of Carbuncles

• If you have poor health, then this is the main cause of development of carbuncles.
• If you get friction from shaving or from some types of clothing, then carbuncles will grow on that particular area.
• Maintaining proper hygiene is necessary to stay away from all types of skin infections. If you are not hygienic, then you are at higher risks of developing carbuncles.

Apart from all the above causes, people who have dermatitis, diabetes and weak immune system can easily get staph infection which is responsible for causing carbuncles.

Carbuncle Symptoms

• The symptoms of carbuncle are that it might cause deep and severe infections. The carbuncles grow fast and heal slowly as compared to the single boil. Carbuncles can leave a scar on the infected area after it goes.
• The center of the carbuncles is white or yellow in color and this pus is harmful
• They easily spread to other areas and cause infections to other unaffected areas
• If you feel sick or you get high fever, then you might have carbuncle infection. Most of the people feel itchiness on the skin before the development of a carbuncle.
• It is necessary to consult a doctor if you have a carbuncle on your face or neck. The carbuncles have the tendency to mature and spread fast. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Carbuncles should be drained away before they heal. Most of the carbuncles drain on their own. But few of them which are deeper need medical treatment. If you place a warm moist cloth on a carbuncle, the heat generated will drain the pus and the area will heal quickly. Perform this activity for several times in a day as it will clean the pore from the roots. Avoid pricking or squeezing the boil as it might spread the infection.

If the carbuncles still persist for more than two weeks, then you will need treatment for it. If you get fever along with the infection, then you should consult a doctor for its treatment. The doctor will give you some antibiotic soap and some antibiotic medicines. Follow the treatment properly and get the infection cleared.

Apart from medicines, maintaining a proper hygiene is important to avoid the infection to spread. Whenever you touch the carbuncle, wash your hands properly. Do not share your clothes with your family members or friends, so that you do not spread the infection. Wash the towels and clothes that have come in contact with the carbuncle in hot water. Throw the bandages in a closed bag and change the bandages frequently.

These are the carbuncles symptoms which should be observed and treated as early as possible.