CARBUNCLE

Course overview

A CARBUNCLE IS AN INFECTION OF THE HAIR FOLLICLE(S) THAT EXTENDS INTO THE SURROUNDING SKIN AND DEEP UNDERLYING SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE. THEY TYPICALLY PRESENT AS AN ERYTHEMATOUS, TENDER, INFLAMED, FLUCTUANT NODULE WITH MULTIPLE DRAINING SINUS TRACTS OR PUSTULES ON THE SURFACE. SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS ARE USUALLY PRESENT, AND REGIONAL LYMPHADENOPATHY MAY OCCUR. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF CARBUNCLES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM IN EVALUATING AND TREATING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.