The key difference between carbuncles and furuncles is that carbuncle is a cluster or a collection of boils, while furuncle is one boil formed on the skin surface.

Skin abscesses are bumps that appear on the skin’s surface. They are usually filled with pus or a cloudy fluid formed due to a bacterial infection. Most skin abscesses are harmless and easily cured with treatment. Sometimes, skin abscess is difficult to treat, and two examples of such incidents are carbuncles and furuncles. They are mostly caused due to infected hair follicles. If not treated well, it may also lead to serious complications.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Carbuncles  
3. What are Furuncles
4. Similarities – Carbuncles and Furuncles
5. Carbuncles vs Furuncles in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Carbuncles vs Furuncles

What are Carbuncles?

A carbuncle is a cluster of painful bumps filled with pus formed in an infected area under the skin. Carbuncles are caused due to bacterial infections or inflammations of hair follicles on the skin. Therefore, carbuncles develop in hairy areas of the body such as the neck region, buttocks, thighs, armpits, and groin. Carbuncles are mostly caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria inhabit the throat, skin, and nasal passage. Carbuncles also appear in older age, with obesity and poor hygiene. They also lead to chronic skin conditions, kidney diseases, liver diseases, and diabetes. Once the carbuncle fills with pus, an oozing white or yellow tip develops on the infection. This pus is a mixture of bacteria, white blood cells, and dead skin cells.

Figure 01: Formation of a Carbuncle

When left untreated for several days, carbuncles rupture and a creamy fluid ooze out. This leaves a scar on the skin. Superficial carbuncles have multiple bumps on the skin surface but are less likely to leave scars. Deep carbuncles cause scars. Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and sickness occur in the body in the presence of carbuncles. Moreover, swelling in tissues and lymph nodes appear near carbuncles.

What are Furuncles?

A furuncle or boil is a skin abscess formed in an infected area under the skin. Carbuncles are formed with clusters of furuncles. Furuncles are common on breasts, neck regions, face, and buttocks. They are uncomfortable due to irritability and pain when attached to underlying structures such as the nose, fingers, or ears. Furuncles are caused due to bacterial infections in hair follicles.

Figure 2: Formation of a Furuncle

Once the hair follicle is infected, a red bump is formed on the skin area. It also drains out a cloudy fluid when ruptured. If a furuncle worsens, the red bump hardens, and it becomes hard and painful. Furuncles are also caused due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Generally, pus in the furuncle is formed to fight infection. The boil is a result of the fighting white blood cells, which work to eliminate the bacteria. Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and chills are observed during the formation of a furuncle. Diabetes and eczema are chronic disorders that cause the formation of furuncles. Complications such as sepsis and MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) occur with severe furuncles.

What are the Similarities Between Carbuncles and Furuncles?

• Both carbuncles and furuncles are contagious when active.
• These are formed on the skin surrounding hair follicles.
• A cloudy fluid is drained out from both carbuncles and furuncles when ruptured.
• Both appear as reddish pus-filled lesions.
• They are caused due bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
• Symptoms such as swelling, fever, and fatigue can be observed.

What is the Difference Between Carbuncles and Furuncles?

A carbuncle is a cluster or a collection of boils, while a furuncle is one boil formed on the skin surface. Thus, this is the key difference between carbuncles and furuncles. Carbuncles appear much more severe than furuncles since they travel deeper in the skin. Moreover, carbuncles are painful and hard, while furuncles are mildly painful and tender when touched. In addition, carbuncles may be of higher risk since it gives rise to other disorders with a weaker immune system. But, furuncles are at a lower risk, and the body is able to fight infections.

The below infographic presents the differences between carbuncles and furuncles in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Carbuncles vs Furuncles

A furuncle or a boil is a skin abscess formed in an infected area under the skin. Carbuncles are formed with clusters of furuncles. A carbuncle is a cluster of painful bumps filled with pus formed in an infected area. So, this is the key difference between carbuncles and furuncles. These are caused due to bacterial infections or inflammations of hair follicles on the skin. Both carbuncles and furuncles are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Such bacterial infections or inflammations are common around hair follicles on the skin. Therefore, carbuncles and furuncles develop in hairy areas of the body such as the neck region, breasts, buttocks, thighs, armpits, and groin.

Reference:

1. Roth, Erica. “What to Know about Furuncles (Boils).” Healthline, Healthline Media.
2. Ansorge, Rick. “Carbuncles: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Carbuncle” By Medicalpal – Own work. (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Furuncle-MIN-IMG 2589” By El Pantera – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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