Folliculitis, Boils, and Carbuncles
What are folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles?
Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles due to an infection, injury, or irritation. It is characterized by tender, swollen areas that form around hair follicles, often on the neck, breasts, buttocks, and face. Boils are pus-filled lesions that are painful and usually firm. Boils are usually located in the waist area, groin, buttocks, and under the arm. Carbuncles are clusters of boils. These are usually found in the back of the neck or thigh.
What are the symptoms of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles?
The following are the most common symptoms of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms for folliculitis may include:
- pus in the hair follicle
- irritated and red follicles
- damaged hair
Symptoms for boils may include:
- pus in the center of the boil
- whitish, bloody discharge from the boil
Symptoms for carbuncles (clusters of boils) may include:
- pus in the center of the boils
- whitish, bloody discharge from the boils
- fever
- fatigue
The symptoms of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How are folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles diagnosed?
Diagnosis of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles are made by your physician after a thorough medical history and physical examination. After examining the lesions, your physician may culture the wounds (obtain a sample of the drainage of the wound, allow it to grow in the laboratory, and identify specific bacteria) to help verify the diagnosis and to help in selecting the best treatment.
Treatment for folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles:
Specific treatment for folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles will be determined by your physician based on:
- your age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the condition
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the condition
- your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
- topical antibiotics (for folliculitis)
- for carbuncles and boils, a warm compress may be used to help promote drainage of the lesion
- oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics (to treat the infection)
- possible removal of the boils and carbuncles
Carbuncles heal more slowly than a single boil. Keeping the skin clean helps to prevent these conditions from occurring.
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The Dermatology Programs and Services at Rush
Dermatology specialists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offer comprehensive care for common and rare skin, hair and nail diseases. Offering care for people of all ages, our dermatologists are leading authorities in skin care whose expertise draws patients from all over the Midwest. The dermatology team at Rush offers safe and innovative treatments based on years of experience as well as the latest scientific research.
Click here to visit our Department of Dermatology.
Services Provided
Comprehensive dermatology services for adults and children include:
- Innovative treatments for various dermatologic conditions
such as
- Acne
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo
- State-of-the-art treatments for all forms of skin cancer include:
- The CTCL Clinic provides multidisciplinary care for people with a rare type of cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Treatments include extracorporeal photophoresis, one of the most effective treatments for patients with this disease.
- The Melanoma Surveillance Clinic provides innovative intervention and treatment strategies for melanoma, including the use of photographic surveillance to track high-risk moles over time.
- Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) Clinic provides Mohs surgery, which has the highest cure rate of any procedure for skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, the surgeon uses a microscope to remove the very last traces of cancer cells.
- The Cosmetic Dermatology Program provides:
- Antiaging therapies, such as Botox and collagen injections.
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion to make skin smoother and improve acne, wrinkles and skin discoloration.
- Advanced laser therapy to decrease excess hair growth and reduce lines and scars.
- Varicose vein treatments, including laser therapy and sclerotherapy, which involves the injection of special solutions into the veins to reduce their appearance.
In addition to the services above, the department tests the efficacy of new treatments for different skin diseases through its Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Clinical studies are complemented by a basic science laboratory, where investigators are conducting state-of-the-art research on mast cell biology and mastocytosis.
Finding a specialist at Rush:
To find a dermatologist at Rush click here.
Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:
To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).
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Dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology
Skin Infections