Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors usually diagnose boils and carbuncles by considering signs, symptoms and medical history and looking at these distinctive sores.
If you have recurring infections, infections that don't respond to standard treatment or have a weakened immune system, your doctor may culture the drainage. During this test, your doctor uses a sterile swab to gently remove a small bit of pus or drainage from the boil or carbuncle. The sample is then cultured in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria.
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