5/20/23, 7:59 AM Furuncles and carbuncles | MSF Medical Guidelines

https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/en/viewport/CG/english/furuncles-and-carbuncles-16689669.html 1/4
5/20/23, 7:59 AM Furuncles and carbuncles | MSF Medical Guidelines

Furuncles and carbuncles

On this page
Clinical features

Treatment

Necrotising perifollicular infection, usually due to Staphylococcus aureus. Risk factors include: nasal
carriage of S. aureus, maceration, breaks in the skin, poor hygiene; diabetes mellitus, malnutrition,
iron deficiency or immunodeficiency.

Clinical features
Furuncle: red, warm, painful nodule with a central pustule, usually around a hair follicle. It becomes
fluctuant, discharges a core of purulent exudate, and leaves a depressed scar. It occurs most
frequently on the thighs, groin, buttocks, armpits, neck and back. There is no fever.
Carbuncle: a cluster of interconnected furuncles, sometimes with fever and peripheral
lymphadenopathy. It leaves a depressed scar.

Treatment
Single furuncle:
Clean with soap and water 2 times daily and cover with a dry dressing.
Apply warm moist compresses to the furuncle in order to encourage it to drain.
After drainage, clean and apply a dry dressing until the lesion has healed.

Furuncle on the face, multiple furuncles, carbuncles or in immunocompromised patients:

Same local care.
Add systematically an antibiotic for 7 days a :
cefalexin PO
Neonates under 7 days: 25 mg/kg 2 times daily
Neonates 7 to 28 days: 25 mg/kg 3 times daily
Children 1 month to 12 years: 25 mg/kg 2 times daily
Children 12 years and over and adults: 1 g 2 times daily
or
amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) PO. Use formulations in a ratio of 8:1 or 7:1. The
dose is expressed in amoxicillin:
Children < 40 kg: 25 mg/kg 2 times daily
Children ≥ 40 kg and adults:
Ratio 8:1: 2000 mg daily (2 tablets of 500/62.5 mg 2 times daily)
Ratio 7:1: 1750 mg daily (1 tablet of 875/125 mg 2 times daily)
In all cases: wash hand frequently, wash bedding.

https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/en/viewport/CG/english/furuncles-and-carbuncles-16689669.html 2/4
5/20/23, 7:59 AM Furuncles and carbuncles | MSF Medical Guidelines

Footnotes
(a) For penicillin-allergic patients:
clindamycin PO (children: 10 mg/kg 3 times daily; adults: 600 mg 3 times daily)

https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/en/viewport/CG/english/furuncles-and-carbuncles-16689669.html 3/4
5/20/23, 7:59 AM Furuncles and carbuncles | MSF Medical Guidelines

https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/en/viewport/CG/english/furuncles-and-carbuncles-16689669.html 4/4