The key difference between boil and carbuncle is that a boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame the hair follicles, whereas a carbuncle is a cluster of boils that forms connected areas of infection under the skin.
If you have ever experienced a boil or a carbuncle on any part of your body, you know how painful it can be. However, there are many who cannot differentiate between a boil and a carbuncle since both share some similar symptoms. This article is meant to clear your doubts about the difference between boil and carbuncle.
CONTENT
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Boil
3. What is a Carbuncle
4. Boil vs Carbuncle in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Boil vs Carbuncle
What is a Boil?
A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more hair follicles. It is also known as furuncles. Boils usually start as a reddish or purplish tender bump. This bump quickly fills with pus, growing larger and more painful until the bump ruptures and drains. The areas that are most likely to become affected by boils are the face, back of the neck, armpits, thighs, and buttocks. We can care for a single boil simply at home. But it is advised not to attempt to prick or squeeze it because it can cause the spread of the infection.
A boil disappears on its own without any treatment and does not leave any scars. It has a small opening that fills with pus, and when this pus discharges, the boil diminishes in size and gradually disappears.
The symptoms of a boil include painfulness, reddish or purplish appearance, increasing the size of the bump over a few days as it fills up with pus, and developing a yellow-white tip. This tip will eventually rupture and allow the pus to drain out.
What is a Carbuncle?
A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that are interconnected in areas of infection, which include several hair follicles. When it is compared to a single boil, carbuncle can cause a deeper and more severe infection, and it is more likely to leave a scar. Moreover, people having a carbuncle usually feel unwell, and they might experience fever and chills.
It is advised to see a doctor if this carbuncle occurs on the face or affects vision, worsens rapidly or is extremely painful, causes fever, gets bigger despite self-care, hasn’t healed in two weeks, or recurs. This is because a carbuncle, as it involves several boils, has more than a single opening. It covers a larger area of skin and is much more painful than a boil. These boils fill up with pus, and when drained, they often leave scars on the body.
What is the Difference Between Boil and Carbuncle?
The key difference between boil and carbuncle is that a boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame hair follicles, whereas a carbuncle is a cluster of boils that forms connected areas of infection under the skin. While a boil is a tiny lump that is red in color, making the skin tender around it, when the infection spreads and involves several hair follicles, it becomes a carbuncle.
The below infographic presents the differences between boil and carbuncle in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Boil vs Carbuncle
Boils and carbuncles are related to skin conditions. The key difference between boil and carbuncle is that a boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that forms under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame hair follicles, whereas a carbuncle is a cluster of boils that forms connected areas of infection under the skin.
Reference:
“Boils and Carbuncles.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Sept. 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Furuncle-DSC08137″ By El Pantera – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Carbuncle on buttok” By Drvgaikwad – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia