Boils/abscesses/carbuncles can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose boils/abscesses/carbuncles, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Weakened Immune System | 93% | Confirm |
Chronic Renal Insufficiency | 30% | Unlikely |
Diabetes II | 1% | Ruled out |
Have you suffered from boils, abscesses or carbuncles?
Possible responses:
→ Never had one / don't know→ Probably had one/minor episode(s) now resolved → Major episode(s) now resolved → Current minor/occasional problem → Current major/frequent problem |
People with certain illnesses, including kidney failure, are more at risk of developing boils.
People with certain illnesses, including diabetes, are more at risk of developing boils.
Diseases that are associated with deficiencies in the normal immune system can increase the tendency to develop boils.