Hi, I can understand your concerns and would like to help you. You have not mentioned what you are using tegretol for. The symptoms like insomnia,
tiredness, weakness etc. might be due to side effects of tegretol. In that case, you may need to consult your doctor and, if possible, either modilfy its dose or change the drug.
However, tegretol,ie
carbamazepine, is not known to directly cause
carbuncle. Mostly, carbuncles are caused by a bacteria called
staphylococcus aureus. As you have already mentioned, not bathing or unhygenic lifestyle is a major cause of carbuncle, but there are other causes too for recurrent carbuncle such as, diabetes, chronic skin diseases, kidney or liver diseases, poor immune system, close contact with persons with carbuncle or staphylococcal infections, chronic skin irritations due to heavy sweating.
Although tegretol does not directly cause carbuncle, but the drug has various other side effects such as, severe skin damages, itching skin, kidney and liver disorders, heavy sweating,
immunosuppression etc which in turn may lead to recurrent carbuncles. However, such instances are extremely rare and are least likely to be the cause of your concern.
So, I would suggest you to get your blood glucose level checked to rule out diabetes. You should also get liver function and kidney function tests done. Try to keep your skin clean, use antibacterial soap, avoid tight clothings and avoid sweating as much as possible. Change your clothes daily and wear clean,washed clothes only. This will help you to prevent recurrence of carbuncles.
Apart from that, you should have an antibiotic course to treat staphylococcal infections. The ideal antibiotic would be a penicillin group of drug, like flucloxacillin. However, in case the carbuncles are unresponsive to flucloxacillin, you should try an alternative antibiotic, like
vancomycin or erythromycon or
clarithromycin. You can even drain the small boils by warm compression and moist heat.
Hope my answer could help you to clarify your queries and concerns. Follow my suggestions, get the investigations done, sart on the medicine, maintain cleanliness and hygenic lifestyle and, if required, consult your treating doctor. I wish you a healthy life and hope you recover from this problem soon. Do write to us whenever you feel that you need our help.