Carbuncles are clusters of boils that result in extensive sloughing of skin and scar formation. Carbuncles develop and heal more slowly than single boils and may lead to fever and fatigue because they are a more serious infection. They appear most frequently in men and most commonly on the back of the neck. Older people, people with diabetes, and those with serious medical conditions are more prone to carbuncles. Treatment Keeping the skin clean, preferably with liquid soap containing an antibacterial agent, is the best way to prevent these infections or their spread to others.
Moist heat helps collect the pus and can make a single boil drain spontaneously.
When a boil appears near the nose, doctors usually prescribe oral antibiotics because the infection can spread quickly toward the brain. When boils or carbuncles emerge, doctors usually collect a sample of the pus for laboratory evaluation and prescribe an oral antibiotic. People with recurring boils may need to take antibiotics for months or even years. Erysipelas Erysipelas is a skin infection caused by Streptococcus. A shiny, red, slightly swollen, tender rash develops, often with small blisters.