Question 1

what is a carbuncle?

Accepted Answer

Staph infection: A skin infection, usually caused by staphylococcus. In the early modern world, a "carbuncle" was a special type of gemstone, and the ugly-but-colorful pus-producing lesion was named for it. These are easy to treat with drainage and antibiotics.

Question 2

how does a carbuncle look?

Accepted Answer

Large red bump: Looks like a large red boil or bump with yellow pus coming to a head. Can start very small as a pimple but then get infected and filled with pus and become very large like a golfball.

Question 3

has everyone had a carbuncle?

Accepted Answer

No: It  is common but only a few percent of the population is prone to skin infections that require to drained. Certain individuals are colonized by MRSA and experience repeat infections .Isolated lesions are drained, multiple lesions require antibiotics and preventive measures such as vitamin c and skin cleansers.

Question 4

how long do carbuncles drain for?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on the size, location, and depth of the carbuncle. Also depends if it is draining on its own or because it has been surgically incised. May be a few weeks, warm compresses will encourage drainage.

Question 5

how do a furuncle and a carbuncle differ?

Accepted Answer

Skin infections: A  furuncle also called, a boil is a deep folliculitis; or infection of a hair follicle. It is most commonly caused  by staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin with an accumulation of pus and dead tissue.  A carbuncle  is an infection larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection, .

Question 6

should you use drawing ointment on a carbuncle?

Accepted Answer

Moxibustion with: salve is one option.

Question 7

what's the most effective way to treat carbuncle?

Accepted Answer

Drainage: Incision and drainage will release pus, allow infection o resolve and relieve pain from pressure.

Question 8

what exactly is a carbuncle and how do you treat it?

Accepted Answer

Carbuncle: These are infections or abscesses in the skin. They are treated with antibiotics and drainage.

Question 9

what's the difference between herpes and carbuncles?

Accepted Answer

Virus vs. bacterium: Herpes infections are caused by a virus, while carbuncles are caused by bacteria. Herpes infections appear as tiny, clear, painful blisters, while carbuncles are much larger pus-filled nodules.

Question 10

i've heard different things. what exactly is carbuncle?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial infection: It is a boil on the skin which affects the deep portions of the area. It needs to be drained to allow the pus out. It will be packed and drainage will continue for a few days resulting in a scar at the site. If there are more than one lesion than oral antibiotics will be prescribed.

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I've heard different things. what exactly is carbuncle?

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