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" Question I have been told by my GP that I have a urethral carbuncle in my vagina.  I have no pain or itching even when urinating. It has grown since first diagnosed.  I don&amp;amp;#8217;t understand what this condition is or how it occurred. What do I need to do to help this condition?  Is there any medication or alternative therapies etc that may help? I am allergic to penicillin. The hospital will remove it in next month.   Answer A carbuncle is a collection of interconnecting boils, which are not uncommon in people who have lowered resistance to infection.  I see from your details that you are diabetic and therefore you are more vulnerable.  These carbuncles are most frequently seen near the surface of the body, usually in the skin and around the pelvic area. The bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently offending germ causing the problem so antibiotics are generally prescribed.  As you are allergic to penicillin, a suitable alternative would normally be chosen.  Sometimes the carbuncle becomes chronic, surrounded by scar tissue so that antibiotics fail to penetrate into the heart of the infection.  This is almost certainly why the hospital have booked you in in February to incise and drain it.  Other than antibiotics the best thing you can do is to enjoy frequent hot baths in the hope of bringing the carbuncle to the surface of the urethra or vagina, in which case it may burst on its own and drain naturally.  If this should happen, further antibiotics and thorough sterilisation of the area would be necessary.  Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team   Other Qs &amp;amp; As Alternative thrush treatment Antibiotics and thrush Chlamydia symptoms Concerned about my mother&amp;#039;s navel discharge Continuous thrush Cream for thrush Damage to the immune system For how long can chlamydia be present? Feeling dizzy and nauseous Feeling sick and dizzy Getting rid of thrush I have had thrush constantly for two years now I have had thrush for two years now I have recurring thrush I&amp;amp;#8217;ve been using cream for thrush for the past three months I&amp;#039;m always getting cystitis Is a cream enough to get rid of thrush? Is it thrush? It is probably thrush Painkillers and antibiotics Persistent vaginal thrush PID and tampons Please help me get rid of thrush Recurring cystitis Self-help medication for thrush Tablets to treat chlamydia Thrush on and off Transmitting thrush   Last updated 23.02.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/liver-kidney-and-urinary-system/a11090/what-is-a-carbuncle/>