How to Get Rid of a Carbuncle Safely and Quickly
Treating a carbuncle requires more attention than single boil because the infection is usually larger and covers more surface area of the skin. It is important to give the carbuncle the proper treatment so your body can begin to fight the infection effectively and the carbuncle can go away.
What is a Carbuncle Boil?
A carbuncle is a painful cluster of boils that are connected under the skin. They are almost always red and swollen. (A single boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland and develops into a lump of puss, eventually coming to a head.)
What Causes Carbuncles?
Carbuncles are usually caused by a bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, which is usually found on the skin surface. It’s when these bacteria find their way under the skin through a hair follicle or small scrape that they can cause an infection under the skin. This is when boils start to form and the infection spreads within the infected region.
The Best Carbuncle Home Remedy in 4 Simple Steps
If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of a carbuncle, know that it is vitally important to know that getting rid of one of these takes some patience. Make sure you stick to giving it the proper attention each day until it is completely healed.
1.) Use a heat compress to bring the boils to a head naturally. The best thing you can use is a warm (mildly hot), wet washcloth that you can leave on your carbuncle for about 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. The heat helps the blood vessels expand which allows the boils to come to a head quicker. The boils will eventually open and start to ooze. This is a good thing and brings us to step two.
2.) Promote drainage. Once the boils open and starts to ooze and drain, you want to continue using your wet head compress for a few days after to assist the boils in draining. This can also be soothing to your carbuncle. Expect it to drain for several days and a lot of blood and pus to come out.
3.) Clean the infected area 3 times a day, and change the bandage frequently. It’s important that the bacteria from the pus and blood do not spread to other parts of your skin, or where someone else could potentially come in contact with the bacteria. There’s a high risk of infection to yourself or others if this happens, so this step is very important.
How to Clean Your Carbuncle Properly:
- Use warm water with an antibacterial soap, or a skin cleanser such as Hibiclens. Hibiclens is an antiseptic skin cleanser that many doctors recommend to patients after surgery to keep their vulnerable area clean from bacteria. Be sure you change your gauze or bandage each time you clean your carbuncle. Otherwise it does little good.
4.) Use natural topical remedies to promote faster healing. All of these ingredients can be found at your local drug store or most pharmacy departments.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help heal and soothe your carbuncle. You can make a paste that you can apply topically by mixing turmeric powder with either water or ginger. Spread it generously over your boil 2 or 3 times a day. This can also help soothe some of the pain.
Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt is not only a great healing agent, but you can also help clean the bacteria from the infected area by bathing in an Epsom Salt bath. Soaking for 20 or 30 minutes at a time can help dry out the pus from your carbuncle and help it to drain.
Neem Oil
Neem oil contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help assist your carbuncle in the healing process. It’s also used for other skin conditions such as acne because of its ability to rid the skin of bacteria, and helps reduce redness and inflammation.
Castor Oil
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is also a natural anti-inflammatory. It’s commonly used as a home remedy for other skin ailments such as fungal disease and athletes feet, but it can also help provide some healing power to a carbuncle.
How Long Does a Carbuncle Take To Heal?
Now that you know how to get rid of a carbuncle, you’re probably wondering about healing time. How long does it take to heal a carbuncle? When treating one of these things, there are many factors to consider for healing time. A carbuncle’s healing time can depend on your immune system, diet, environment, severity of infection, and many other factors. When treated properly, most carbuncles will heal within reason in about 2 to 3 weeks.
What Does a Carbuncle Look Like?
Carbuncles are about as unique looking as snowflakes (just not as pretty). But to give you an idea, here are a few pictures.
Warning: Graphic Carbuncle Images Below
This is a picture of a carbuncle on the buttocks of a diabetic person.
A carbuncle starting to drain.
This is a smaller, less several carbuncle. Yet, no less fun.
F.A.Q.
Are Carbuncles Contagious?
Yes. Actually, the bacteria that causes boils and carbuncles are contagious in that if this bacteria (most often staphylococcus) comes into contact with another person’s skin, they can get a similar infection. This doesn’t mean anyone who comes in contact with the bacteria will get a boil or a carbuncle, as people’s immune systems are all different. You can read more about ways boils are contagious in our article here.
When Should You See a Doctor About Your Carbuncle
You should see a doctor if…
- It’s located on or near your anus, on your face, or on your spine
- You have a fever
- You experience extreme pain
- It interferes with your mobility
- Red streaks or discoloration occurs in the nearby skin
- You have diabetes
- There is no improvement after one week of home treatment
Carbuncle vs Boil: What’s the Difference?
In short, a boil is a single abscess inside the skin, usually within a hair follicle. A carbuncle is several boils lumped together with the pus and infection connected under the skin. Boils usually heal quicker and come with less pain. Carbuncles are more painful and usually cause more side effects such as a fever and have more pus and drainage.
How to Minimize Scarring from a Carbuncle
After a carbuncle heals, scarring is likely to occur. However, there are things you can do to help minimize scarring after the carbuncle is healed.
- Apply Vitamin E once a day for a few weeks
- Take plenty of Vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes skin healing from wounds and scars.
- Use Mederma. This is a powerful over the counter topical ointment that is clinically proven to help scars disappear. The sooner you use it after your carbuncle heals, the better your chances of healing.