What Are the Complications of Boils and Carbuncles and How to Prevent Your Carbuncles from Spreading to Others?
If you have a weak immune system, boils and carbuncles may come back in some parts of the body and never leave. Studies show that recurrent boils are a sign of a severe infection known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Boils and carbuncles rarely lead to complications. However, bacteria from boil may:
- Spread into your bloodstream, resulting in a severe reaction (sepsis) [4].
- Spread into the brain and lead to life-threatening problems such as meningitis [5].
- Infect the skin and the area just under the skin (cellulitis) [6].
- Spread to the spinal cord, bones, heart and other organs, leading to severe infection and death.
Follow the following tips to prevent your carbuncle from spreading to other parts of your body:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Do not share washcloths and towels with family members.
- Don’t let others lie on your bed sheets.
- Use antibacterial soap, especially if you’ve touched your carbuncle.
- Avoid squeezing or pricking the head of your carbuncle.
- Do now have close contact between another person and your carbuncle.
- Carefully bag and get rid of dressings and bandages that cover your carbuncle.