Boils, Furuncles & Carbuncles

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Definition

- Hair follicle ass w cutaneous abscess extending into subcut tissue

- Furuncle = collection of boils

- Carbuncle = multiple heaeded boil/furuncle

Features

- Usually tender subcutaneous swelling

- Rarely systemic s/s

- Clusters/crops in axillae, inguinal, buttocks

DDx

- Suppuritive hidranetis

Causes

- Staph aureus +/- MRSA

- Strep pyogenes

Mx

- MCS all lesions if possible for MRSA

- <5cm lesion: incision & drainage

- >5cm lesion: incision, drainage & Abx

- Diclox/Flucloxacillin 500mg PO 6/24 5/7

- Penicillin sensitivity: Cephalexin 1g PO 12/24 5/7

- Suspected MRSA: Bactrim 160/800mg