Understanding Boils and Carbuncles: Symptoms, Appearance, and Potential Complications

For some of us, having boil has become almost a trademark, it comes and goes at will without any form of complication, but this is not always the case with most people that have boil as some issues of boil should not be taken for granted.

I know you know what a boil is, but for this post, let me mention a few things about it. A boil is that painful, pus-filled bump that forms underneath the skin, it happens when bacteria infects and inflames one or more of the hair follicles.

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Normally, the boil often begins as a reddish or purplish tender bump, which then quickly gets filled up with pus, and then grows larger and more painful until it ruptures and drains out. Common areas that can be affected are the; armpits, the back of the neck, the face, the buttocks, and the thighs. The habit of pricking the boil is not a good thing as the infection would spread fast as a result.

A boil is also called a furuncle, and it can develop over a few hours or days, during its stay, it would grow in size, become painful, and possibly spread to other areas of the body.
Boils are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but other fungi and bacteria can cause them as well. These bacteria can then enter into the skin through a cut or hair follicle.

Depending on your body's immune system, your body can send infection-fighting white blood cells to the area. The white blood cells will then build up along with damaged skin to form pus. Carbuncles come in when more than one hair follicle gets infected, and the infection is now deeper and more severe than one boil.

Poor hygiene, obesity, older age, and poor health in general are risk factors associated with carbuncles. Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, chronic skin conditions, and generally any type of condition that makes the immune system weak are also high-risk factors.

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Carbuncles, on the other hand, are a description of multiple boils clustering together to form an infection in a specific area. In addition to the symptoms that accompany boils, carbuncles also have chills, fever, and fatigue.

Some situations of carbuncles are caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which will require treatments with strong prescribed antibiotics if the lesion is not properly drained. Although rare, carbuncles can also escape into the bloodstream and cause a case of severe complications like infections in certain areas such as the lungs, bones, heart, joints, central nervous system, and blood.

Sepsis is another possible complication that can happen as a result of carbuncles, and it is an overwhelming infection of the body that requires a medical emergency, it can become worse if left untreated. It can also enter into the brain and cause a life-threatening problem like meningitis.

Pain relieves, antibacterial soap, antibiotics, and even surgery can be required to treat carbuncle, it is an error to try draining out carbuncle yourself, just like I mentioned about boil, in the same vein, there is a chance of spreading infection.

This is however not a call for panic, as it often reacts well to medical treatment especially when it starts on time, leaving it to linger for long is where issues of complications come up.

If you notice a particular boil you have lingering for a long time, you need to pay a visit to the hospital, where your doctor will identify boils depending on physical appearance and a description of symptoms experienced. Further procedures like a blood test or pus swab may be required for a person who gets boils constantly, or who is believed to stand a chance of complications.

The extracted pus is examined in a laboratory to check out the exact type of bacteria causing the infection, and then the antibiotics that will most likely work out more will be administered.

For Further Studies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513141/

https://www.healthline.com/health/carbuncle#prevention

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/carbuncles-causes-treatments

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/185421

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/boils-and-carbuncles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353770

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Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.