Which statement accurately describes a carbuncle?

• A. It is a superficial skin infection of the epidermis
• B. It is an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue
• C. It is an infection of the dermis only
• D. It is a hair shaft infection

Answer: (B)

Carbuncles are deep skin infections that involve multiple hair follicles and extend into the subcutaneous tissue, forming a cluster of interconnected boils with pus and draining sinuses. This depth of involvement into the subcutaneous layer is what makes the description of inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue the best fit, since it captures both the widespread, organized infection and the surrounding tissue reaction. A superficial epidermal infection wouldn’t reach the deeper layers, a dermal-only infection wouldn’t reflect the subcutaneous spread, and a hair shaft infection doesn’t describe the follicular and subcutaneous tissue involvement seen in a carbuncle.