Folliculitis, Boils, and Carbuncles

Also known as: furuncles, furunculosis.

What are folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles?

Folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles are a group of related conditions that cause lesions on the skin and are related to the infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis simply refers to inflammation of the hair follicles due to infection, while boils are a deeper infection that causes a pus-filled lesion on the skin. Carbuncles refers to many boils that occur at once.

What causes folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles?

An infection of the hair follicles is the cause of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles. The bacteria staphylococcus aureus is the most common culprit.

What are the symptoms of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles?

Folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles can cause pain, a visible lump or lesion on the skin, pus, fever, fatigue, damaged hair and other symptoms.

What are folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles care options?

Warm compresses or over-the-counter pain relievers can help with the pain and other symptoms of folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles. The conditions are treated with antibiotics or a surgical incision to the lesion in order to drain the pus.

Reviewed by: Jose R. Rosa-Olivares, M.D.

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:27 PM