It is believed in Chinese medicine that this disease is mostly caused by internal accumulation of toxins in zang-fu organs and secondary invasion of exogenous wind-heat, damp-heat and fire, which gather in the superficial muscle to cause obstruction in the meridians and collaterals, disharmony of Ying-Nutrient Qi and WeiDefensive Qi, and stagnation of qi and blood. Usually, it is believed that the condition of the patient's constitution is closely related to favourable and unfavourable prognosis.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, there are some patterns of syndrome that lead to carbuncle:
1. Damp-Heat Accumulation Syndrome
2. Fire-Toxin Accumulation Syndrome
3. Yin-Deficiency and Fire-Hyperactivity Syndrome
4. Qi-Deficiency and Toxin-Accumulation Syndrom