Boils and Carbuncles

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor whenever you have a carbuncle, a large boil or a boil that doesn't improve after a week of home treatment as described above. If you have diabetes, you should call your doctor even if you develop a small boil because you are more prone to developing serious infections. Ask to be seen immediately if a boil of any size:

• Develops in an infant

• Is located on the face, rectum, groin or spine

• Produces fever or severe pain

• Interferes with movement of a body part

• Causes swelling, red streaks or other discoloration in nearby skin

If you have been treated with antibiotics for a boil or carbuncle and your infection does not appear to be responding within one or two days, contact your doctor urgently. Your infection may be caused by a type of bacteria that is resistant to several commonly selected antibiotics. This bacteria is called community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (community-acquired MRSA). To treat this type of infection, your doctor needs to know that your first antibiotic was not helpful. A separate antibiotic may need to be substituted.

If you have had several episodes of boils within a short period of time, visit your doctor. Your doctor can check whether an undiagnosed medical illness is affecting your body's ability to fight infections.

Prognosis

Most small boils heal without leaving a scar. In general, the larger the boil or carbuncle, the greater the chance that it will leave a scar. Because of this, you should see a doctor if you have a boil on your face. Antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage can help limit scar formation.

Additional Info

American Academy of Dermatology 930 E. Woodfield Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173-4927 Phone: (847) 330-0230 Toll-Free: (888) 462-3376 Fax: (847) 330-0050 http://www.aad.org/

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 Phone: (301) 495-4484 Toll-Free: (877) 226-4267 Fax: (301) 718-6366 TTY: (301) 565-2966 http://www.niams.nih.gov/