Carbuncles, Best Natural Treatment

Carbuncles are follicular infections causing painful, large boils. They resemble furuncles, but are larger and usually involve several hair follicles and deeper layers of the tissues. Like the furuncles, they are caused by Staphylococci or streptococci. Carbuncle infections usually run a bit deeper than furuncles; it usually involves the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. It may be associated with fevers and chills.

Treatment is essentially the same: They are lanced, and we use soaks and oral antibiotics on them. After being lanced, topical treatment may also be used.

Bacterial Skin Infections

Skin infections are very common both among adults and children, but the types of skin infections that predominate may vary with age. Furuncles, carbuncles and erysipelas and cellulitis are more common with adults, while impetigo occurs more frequently with children.

It is not a pleasant thought, but millions of micro organisms, including bacteria and fungi, are living on your skin. They usually do no harm. They inhabit the skin in peaceful harmony with the host (you). But once you get a cut, scrape or insect bite, these everyday bacteria may take the opportunity to invade the slightly deeper layers of the skin and cause an infection.

The most frequent bacteriae behind boil skin infections are Streptococci and Staphylococci. On the skin they cause folliculitis, cellulitis, impetigo, bullous impetigo, erysipelas, furuncles and carbuncles. They can also cause infections elsewhere, in mucous membranes like in strep-throat, and deeper tissues, like in necrotizing faciitis, or what is more commonly referred to as "flesh-eating bacteria", which damages not only skin tissue but also muscle and fat. This is a very serious condition, and may lead to death within a few days. Plus, Staphylococcus can cause illnesses such as meningitis and toxic shock syndrome.

How Do these Infections Develop?

Impetigo, cellulitis and erysipelas develops after the skin has been scratched or otherwise injured, opening the skin for invasion. Folliculitis develops when the bacteriae multiply in the hairfollicles anywhere on the body. Erysipelas typically develops when one has a runny nose caused by streptococci. The combination with streptococcal nasal discharge and a casual scratch is all it takes.

Furuncles and carbuncles can be seen on any area of the skin, just like the other boil skin infections mentioned above. The neck in the area of the shirt collar, or skin areas with hair-follicles that are irritated by pressure from belts or the persons body weight when sitting too much, or anywhere where hair grows.

These skin infections are treated just like other skin infections, with topical or oral antibiotics. Carbuncles and furuncles are even treated by lancing them to evacuate the pus, thus making them more available to the healing effect of the orally and topically administered drugs and regimens.

And the treatment?