Folliculitis, boils and carbuncles
Folliculitis, boils and carbuncles
Boils, carbuncles, folliculitis, acute paronychia (infection bordering the nail) and whitlows are most commonly caused by staphylococcal infection.
Risk factors for boils, carbuncles and folliculitis include nasal carriage of S. aureus, existing skin conditions (e.g. dermatitis), immunosuppression, obesity and malnutrition. In addition, factors such as poor hygiene, wax epilation, shaving and topical corticosteroids can predispose to the development of folliculitis.