1. Boils and Carbuncles Alex Rosenbluth

2. General info Boils and Carbuncles are puss-filled bumps under the skin Boils and Carbuncles are puss-filled bumps under the skin They occur when bacteria infect and inflame hair follicles They occur when bacteria infect and inflame hair follicles A carbuncle is a cluster of boils A carbuncle is a cluster of boils

3. Boil Symptoms A boil appears as a red or pink bump ½ to ¾ inches in diameter A boil appears as a red or pink bump ½ to ¾ inches in diameter In a few days, it fills with pus and grows larger and more painful In a few days, it fills with pus and grows larger and more painful They can appear anywhere, but most commonly on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs They can appear anywhere, but most commonly on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs

4. Carbuncle Symptoms Cluster of boils that occur on the back of the neck, shoulders or thighs Cluster of boils that occur on the back of the neck, shoulders or thighs Cause more severe infection than boils do Cause more severe infection than boils do Develop more slowly and heal slower than boils do Develop more slowly and heal slower than boils do Carbuncles can occur with fever, headache, and fatigue Carbuncles can occur with fever, headache, and fatigue

5. Causes of Boils/Carbuncles Form when hair follicles become infected with staph bacteria Form when hair follicles become infected with staph bacteria Staph bacteria enters through a cut, scratch, or other break in the skin Staph bacteria enters through a cut, scratch, or other break in the skin White blood cells rush to the sight, causing inflammation and the formation of pus White blood cells rush to the sight, causing inflammation and the formation of pus

6. Treatments A doctor can drain a boil or carbuncle by making a small incision in the tip A doctor can drain a boil or carbuncle by making a small incision in the tip Boils that can’t be drained can be covered in gauze so that the pus may continue to drain Boils that can’t be drained can be covered in gauze so that the pus may continue to drain Antibiotics can also help to heal the infection Antibiotics can also help to heal the infection

7. Bibliography http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils- and-carbuncles/DS00466 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils- and-carbuncles/DS00466 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils- and-carbuncles/DS00466 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils- and-carbuncles/DS00466 http://www.diagnose- me.com/cond/C120793.html http://www.diagnose- me.com/cond/C120793.html http://www.diagnose- me.com/cond/C120793.html http://www.diagnose- me.com/cond/C120793.html http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/W/9 339/31160.html http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/W/9 339/31160.html http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/W/9 339/31160.html http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/W/9 339/31160.html