Carbuncle is a deep infection of two or more confluent furuncles, with separate heads, accompanied by intense inflammatory changes in the surrounding and underlying connective tissues, including the subcutaneous fat. It has the same etiology as furuncule.

Treatment

Non-Drug treatment:

For early lesions warm compresses are useful. In localized furuncles with definite fluctuation, incision with drainage should be made.

Drug treatment:

Antibiotic therapy should begin as soon as cultures are taken. Pending result or where there is no facility for culture, one of the following drugs are used:

Cloxacillin or Erythromycin -dose is similar as in furuncules.
(For S/E, C/I and dosage forms, see page 34 and 7 respectively)

Treatment:

1. Topical therapy consists of application of normal saline compresses, of 1% Genitian Violet 3 to 4 times daily or topical dressing consisting of 2% Mupirocin.

2. Systemic therapy (oral or parenteral -same us for impetigo except that the duration of therapy should be extended for 2 weeks)