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Carbuncle - Symptom

Alternative Names

Skin infection - staphylococcal; Infection - skin - staph; Staph skin infection; Carbunculosis

Symptoms:

A carbuncle is a swollen lump or mass under the skin. It may be the size of a pea or as large as a golf ball. The carbuncle may be red and irritated and might hurt when you touch it.

It may also:

  • Grow very fast
  • Have a white or yellow center ( contain pus)
  • Weep, ooze, or crust
  • Spread to other skin areas

Sometimes, other symptoms may occur. These may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • General discomfort or sick feeling
  • Skin itching before the carbuncle develops

Signs and tests:

Your doctor will look at your skin. The diagnosis is primarily based on what the skin looks like. A sample of the pus may sent to a lab to determine the bacteria causing the infection, and to help your doctor determine the appropriate treatment.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/13/2011
  • Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 90.

Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 9.

Lopez FA. Skin and soft tissue infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Dec 2006; 20(4): 759-72, v-vi.

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