Diagnosis
The diagnosis of carbuncle is a gaze diagnosis. Carbuncles are conspicuous by their typical appearance with a reddish border of one or more pus knots, which feel rough. These are the typical sites where carbuncles appear: Facial area Armpits Nasal area Po Po Breast area A smear can be taken to clarify the pathogen.
However, it is usually the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. If the carbuncles come back again and again, this is called recurrent occurrence and it may be necessary to search for immune defects or diseases that weaken the immune system.
- Face area
- Armpits
- Nose area
- Butt
- Chest area
Prophylaxis
Patients who get carbuncles more often should pay attention to very precise personal hygiene. However, even good personal hygiene does not always provide 100% protection. If the carbuncles are caused by an immune deficiency, the immune deficiency must also be treated, otherwise carbuncles will always develop. You can also take the so-called Muciprocin ointment to avoid repeated infections.
Prognosis
In non-immune or immunocompromised patients, the prognosis is good that the carbuncles will heal and not return. However, scarring changes often remain. Patients with a tendency to so-called colloidal scarring may also retain larger scars.
If a carbuncle is not treated, this can have serious consequences. If the pathogens spread in the blood, this can lead to sepsis, i.e. blood poisoning. In the worst case, this can even be fatal.
If the pathogens spread in the blood and enter the brain, they can cause irreparable damage. Therefore, a visit to a doctor is recommended in any case.
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