How to Treat a Carbuncle
Carbuncle can be treated via several methods. The first thing to do is to evaluate your carbuncle. Check for the following features:
- Is it bigger than two inches?
- Is it on your face — close to your nose or eyes?
- Is it close to your spine?
- Has it worsened rapidly?
- Has it remained unhealed for two weeks?
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should contact your doctor. Your infection could cause severe problems.
Common medical treatments
Your healthcare provider will utilize one or more of these medical treatments to treat your carbuncle:
- Antibiotics: These are administered orally or applied to your skin.
- Pain relievers: You can take over-the-counter drugs to treat the condition.
- Antibacterial soaps: Your doctor may recommend them as part of your daily cleaning requirements.
- Surgery: Your doctor may use a needle or scalpel to drain deep or large carbuncles
Do not try to drain a carbuncle on your own. There is a possibility of you hurting yourself or spreading the infection to nearby areas. You may also unknowingly infect your bloodstream.
Home care
You can engage in some home care tips to reduce your pain, speed healing, and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. These tips include:
- Place a clean, warm, moist cloth on your carbuncle several times a day. Leave it on for 15 minutes. This will help it drain faster.
- Wash your skin clean with antibacterial soap.
- Change your bandages often if you’ve had surgery.
- Wash your hands after touching your carbuncle.