A 34-year-old man presents to the clinic with painful, red bumps on the back of his neck and upper back that started five days ago. Initially, he noticed small, itchy pustules (like pimples), but over time, some of them became larger, more swollen, and tender. He now has a cluster of painful, swollen boils on the back of his neck that occasionally drain pus.

He reports having similar lesions in the past, especially after sweating heavily at the gym. He has no fever or other systemic symptoms. His medical history is unremarkable, but he shaves his neck frequently and often wears tight-fitting sportswear.

On examination, there are several small pustules with surrounding redness on the upper back (consistent with folliculitis). Additionally, two larger, deep, fluctuant nodules are present on the back of his neck, with one draining yellow pus (consistent with furuncles/boils). A cluster of interconnected abscesses forming a carbuncle is noted in the same area.

A diagnosis of folliculitis progressing to furuncles and a carbuncle is made. The patient is advised on proper hygiene, avoiding tight clothing, and using antibacterial soap. He is prescribed topical antibiotics for folliculitis and oral antibiotics for the larger abscesses. An incision and drainage (I&D) procedure is performed on the largest carbuncle, and he is instructed to monitor for signs of worsening infection.