Content

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• Part 1 of 3: Treating boils
• Part 2 of 3: Preventing boils
• Part 3 of 3: Using home remedies
• Tips
• Warnings

A boil, also called a furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops on the surface of the skin. Boils can be as small as a pea or the size of a golf ball and can appear anywhere on the body. They are usually caused by inflammation of hair follicles. Although they are usually painful and unsightly, boils are not serious. They can also be treated effectively at home.

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Part 1 of 3: Treating boils

1. Apply a warm compress to the boil. As soon as you see a boil starting to develop, start the treatment with a warm compress. The sooner you start treatment, the less likely that complications will arise. Prepare a warm compress by running a clean washcloth under the hot tap and then wringing it out. Gently press the warm, damp cloth onto the boil for five to ten minutes. Repeat this three, four times a day.
2. The warm compress does several things to speed up the boil's recovery process. First, the heat promotes blood flow to the area, drawing antibodies and white blood cells to the site of infection. In addition, the heat draws the pus to the surface of the boil, encouraging it to empty itself more quickly. Finally, the warm compress provides relief from the pain.
   • Instead of a warm compress, you can also soak the boil in warm water - if the boil is in an area that is easy to use. For boils on the lower body, soaking in a warm bath can be helpful.
3. Do not squeeze the boil at home. If the surface of the boil softens and fills with pus, the temptation may be to rip open the skin with a needle and squeeze the contents out yourself. However, this is not recommended as it can cause the boil to become infected. It can also cause the bacteria to spread, causing more boils to develop. Continuously applying warm compresses to the area should cause the boil to burst on its own within two weeks - this will allow drainage to occur on its own without you having to do anything.
4. Wash the drained boil clean with antibacterial soap. If the boil begins to empty, it is very important to keep the area clean. Wash the boil regularly with warm water and antibacterial soap until all the pus from the boil is gone. Once the area is clean, you can dry the boil with a clean towel or paper towel. Wash the towel immediately after use to avoid spreading the infection; the kitchen paper must of course be deposited immediately.
5. Apply an antibacterial cream and cover the boil. Apply an antibacterial cream or ointment to the boil and cover it with gauze bandage. The gauze allows the boil to continue to drain - so change the dressing regularly. Antibacterial creams and ointments specially formulated to treat boils are available at pharmacies - no prescription required.
6. Continue to apply warm compresses until the boil is completely healed. Once drainage is complete, continue to apply warm compresses and cleanse and bandage the area. Do this until the boil is completely healed. As long as you do your best to keep the area clean, there will be no complications and the boil will be completely healed in a week or two.
   • To prevent the infection from spreading, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before and after touching the boil.
7. Visit the doctor if drainage is not complete after two weeks, or if the boil has started to become inflamed. In some cases, the boil will require medical treatment. This could be related to its size, location, or an infection. In that case, a doctor will pierce the boil; usually this is done in his / her office, but sometimes it needs to be done surgically. The latter is usually necessary if the boil has multiple pockets of pus that need to be emptied, or if the boil is in an awkward area, such as in the nose or ear. If the boil or surrounding area becomes infected, you may be prescribed antibiotics. See the doctor in the following cases:
   • If a boil develops on your face, on the spine, in the nose, in the ear, or in the seam. These boils can be extremely painful and are difficult to treat on your own.
   • If the boils keep returning. Sometimes recurring boils in areas such as the groin or armpit are treated by removing the sweat glands. The regular inflammation of these glands can cause the boils.
   • If the boils are accompanied by a fever, red pus, redness or inflammation of the surrounding skin. All of these symptoms can indicate infection.
   • If you have a disease (such as cancer or diabetes) or are taking medicines that weaken the immune system. In these cases, the body may not be able to deal with the infection itself.
   • If the boil does not clear up after two weeks of home treatment, or if the boil hurts a lot.

Part 2 of 3: Preventing boils

1. Don't share your towels, clothing, or bedding with people who have boils. While boils themselves aren't contagious, the bacteria that cause them are. Caution is therefore advised. Do not share towels, clothing, or bedding with family members who have boils. These items should also be washed thoroughly if used by the infected person.
2. Watch your personal hygiene. Good hygiene is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent boils. Since boils are caused by bacteria that inflame hair follicles, you should prevent bacteria build-up on the surface of your skin by washing yourself daily. Regular soap is fine, but if you are prone to boils you may want to choose an antibacterial soap.
   • You can also use an abrasive sponge or brush to scrub the skin. This will break down the oil that clogs the hair follicles.
3. Clean wounds and cuts immediately and thoroughly. Bacteria can easily enter the body through wounds and cuts on the skin. They can then travel to the hair follicle, which becomes inflamed and allows boils to develop. To prevent this, you should clean all small cuts and wounds immediately with antibacterial soap. Also apply a cream or ointment and cover the area with a bandage or bandage until it heals.
4. Try not to sit for too long at a time. Boils between the buttocks, also called hair nest cysts, usually develop as a result of direct pressure from sitting - especially when done for extended periods of time. That is why they are also common among truck drivers and people who often make long flights. If possible, try to relieve the pressure by taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs.

Part 3 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant and is used in the treatment of several skin conditions, including boils. Apply a little tea tree oil to the boil once a day with a cotton swab.
2. Try Epsom salt. Epsom salt is a drying agent that can help the boil reach its peak. Dissolve the Epsom salt in warm water and use this water to make a warm compress. Apply this warm compress to the boil. Repeat this three times a day until the boil starts to empty.
3. Experiment with turmeric. Turmeric is a spice from India with impressive properties. It also has a blood-purifying effect. You can take turmeric in capsule form, or mix it with some water - to make a paste that you can apply directly to the boil. Make sure to cover the boil with a bandage or bandage, as turmeric can stain it.
4. Use a colloidal silver cream. Colloidal silver is a natural disinfectant that is successfully used in the home treatment of boils. Apply a little bit of the cream to the boil twice a day.
5. Use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be used to cleanse the infection from a draining boil. Dab a cotton ball in the vinegar and gently press it against the boil. If you think it stings too bad, dilute the apple cider vinegar half with water.
6. Try castor oil. Castor oil is used in countless natural and medical treatments - such as chemotherapy for cancer patients. It is an effective anti-inflammatory that can be used to reduce the swelling and tenderness of boils.Dab a cotton ball in the castor oil and place it on the boil. Secure the cotton ball with a band-aid or some gauze. Replace the cotton ball every few hours.

Tips

• If you feel embarrassed about the boil, try covering it with long clothing. You can also use a little concealer to cover up the boil, but be careful - this can cause the boil to become inflamed.
• Using a hot pack, wrap it in a warm wet cloth and apply it to the boil. This will prevent the warm compress from getting cold too quickly. With a hot pack, the compress stays warm for an average of forty minutes, compared to a few minutes without.

Warnings

• Do not squeeze the boil. Doing so could spread the infection.