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Skin layers
Skin layers
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Carbunculosis

Alternative Names:
Skin infection - staphylococcal; Infection - skin - staph; Staph skin infection; Carbuncles

Symptoms:
  • skin lesions
    • papule or nodule
    • usually pea-sized, may occasionally be as large as a golf ball
    • swollen
    • pink or red
    • may grow rapidly
    • may develop white or yellow centers (pustules)
    • may weep, ooze, or crust
    • maybe located with hair follicles
    • tender, mildly to moderately painful
    • may be single or multiple
    • may run together (coalesce) or spread to other skin areas
    • pain increases as pus and dead tissue fills the area
    • pain decreases as the area drains
  • skin redness or inflammation around the boil
  • fever (occasionally)
  • fatigue (occasionally)
  • general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (occasionally)

Itching of the skin may occur before the skin lesions develop.



Signs and tests:
Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin. A skin biopsy and bacterial culture of the lesion may help to make the diagnosis or determine the exact type of bacteria involved.

Review Date: 8/15/2003
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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