Boils are sores or boils that may infect internally or externally. Carbuncles are more appropriately described as a collection of boils. Both of these categories may be painful, itchy, warm and itchy in the centre and the pain may persist for some time.
Briefly, a boil is when a number of pimples, blisters, or boils join together to drain fluid. When this happens, the area affected usually swells and is painful, itchy, and warm.
On the other hand, a carbuncle is a collection of boils that usually appear in clusters, are larger in size, and are very painful. When a collection of boils join together, the resulting pressure pushes a specially formulated “head” on a small stalk that usually protrudes out over the surface of the skin. This is how a carbuncle can usually be found on the body.
What are Carbuncles?
A carbuncle is a group of three or more boils that join together for a “head”, are filled with pus, and frequently increase in size over the course of the infection. For the infection to be more effectively contained, the temples and nearby areas around the infected area should be sterilized to prevent re-infection during the several day healing process.
How do Carbuncles Form?
The underlying cause of all staph infections is the same, which is the same bacteria that causes acne. The same bacteria are responsible for colds and kidney infections as well. In fact, the strain for carbuncles is the same strain that causes staph infections that are found on the feet and hands.
Since staph bacteria are very difficult to deal with, most infections are gelatinous infections, meaning they are caused by an infestation of the bacteria that usually begins at or near the hair follicle. The widespread use of antibiotics led to an overgrowth of the staph germ and other bacteria.
The exact cause still remains a mystery though there are a few things that have been noted as possible contributing factors. Eating a diet high in sugar and dairy products, the regular use of scrubs and other exfoliating products, bleach, and the sharing of towels are all linked to coinfections. Is it possible that by sharing razors, sheets, towels, and other personal hygiene items, the germ that is normally present on the lips and upper lip can infect other areas as well?
Certain people are also known to be more prone to the formation of carbuncles and carbuncular cysts. These harmful infections usually present as clusters on the cheeks, the forehead, and the chin.
A person with a weak immune system is known to be more prone to the development of these infections. Diabetics, older people, and those who are infected with HIV also have higher risks.
The piling on of the weight on top of your head, inflamed eyes, and the enlargement of your wet pores all make you more susceptible to the growth of infection. Inflammation is also one of the factors that may provoke the problem. Therefore, if you have a weak immune system or believe that certain items in your own home may cause an infection, you should take precautions to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body.
If you already have an infection and want to avoid the problem spreading, you should do the following to prevent further problems:
- Take a bath or shower every day, which should be warm water-based and not hot.
- Avoid using hot water during bathing because it can cause your skin to dry out making it prone to cracking.
- Using mild soaps and other skin cleansing products that have mild ingredients and are free of perfumes and additives is a good way to start the healing process.
- In addition, you can also get products that contain antiseptics such as neem leaf extract and turmeric which can help in preventing the infection from spreading.
- Make sure that the temperature of the water you use is not too hot, else you run the risk of getting skin irritation, which will lead to further complications.
It is also important to note that the things you use on your own skin are also beneficial and can promote the healing process. Making use of aloe vera, oatmeal, chamomile, and licorice extract are all highly effective in promoting skin health and treating infections. You can also make use of natural oils to help in the healing process, such as lavender oil, olive oil, and rose oil. The most important thing to remember is that prevention is always better than cure. Practice good hygiene and keep your stress levels down.
In conclusion, to effectively prevent and treat boils, you must employ prevention, whichever is simpler. While there are a number of boil remedies being sold, it is best to first try the natural remedies to see which one works best for you.
