furunculosis

Introduction

recurrent furuncle(s) (see furuncle)

Etiology

• Staphylococcus aureus
• atypical Mycobacteria
• risk factors
  • Staphlococcus carriage in the nostrils
  • diabetes mellitus
  • obesity
  • lymphoproliferative disorders
  • malnutrition
  • immunosuppressive drugs

Epidemiology

• atypical Mycobacterial infections associated with pedicures after shaving legs

Pathology

• a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle

Clinical manifestations

• one or more tender red spots, lumps or pustules (furuncles)

* image

Laboratory

• culture of pustule
  • concern for MRSA or other drug-resistant organism

Complications

• scarring
• formation of abscesses
• spread of infection, cellulitis, sepsis

Management

• cleaning of infected area
• application of warm compresses
• topical antiseptic: povidone iodine or chlorhexidine
• incision & drainage
• empiric antibiotics that cover Staphylococcus
  • oxacillin
  • clindamycin
  • cephalosporin
• empiric antibiotics that cover atypical antibiotics
  • rifampicin

More general terms

• hair disease

Additional terms

• furuncle