A carbuncle is best described as:

• A. A single hair follicle abscess
• B. A large furuncle or multiple furuncles connected by drainage canals
• C. A superficial skin infection that crusts
• D. A fungal infection of nails

Answer: (B)

Carbuncles occur when several adjacent hair follicles become infected and the inflammation merges into one larger lesion with multiple draining tracts. This means you’re looking at a cluster of furuncles that share channels for pus to reach the surface. It’s deeper and more extensive than a single boil, and it often involves more tissue damage and drainage. The description fits a large furuncle or multiple furuncles connected by drainage canals.

A single hair follicle abscess describes just one boil, not a cluster. A superficial crusting skin infection like impetigo is more superficial and crusty without those interconnected drainage tracts. A fungal nail infection is a totally different, non-bacterial condition.