Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Treating a boil at home
• Part 2 of 2: Medical Treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Pustules (called boils in medicine) are often painless, pus-filled red bumps that swell under the skin when bacteria enter the hair follicle or sebaceous gland, causing inflammation. Boils are common enough to be caused by Staphylococcus aureus (Latin Staphylococcus aureus). Home care for a boil usually does not involve opening or squeezing the boil because there is a risk that the infection will spread, especially in those with relatively weak immune systems (young children, diabetics, the elderly). See your doctor to open your boil if home remedies don't work.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any methods, consult your doctor.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Treating a boil at home

1. 1 Wait a bit and watch. In most cases, the human immune system is strong enough and it copes with minor skin infectious processes (like a boil) on its own. As such, boils often heal on their own after a few weeks, although you may experience mild itching and slight throbbing pain in the early stages of boil development. Over time, boils can become more painful, as the pressure from the accumulated pus gradually builds up, and the boils can open themselves after a few weeks, after which the problem area heals quickly enough.
   • If you expect the boil to burst on its own in a few weeks, be prepared for this, stock up on a few wipes and antiseptics (carry them with you or keep them in your car).
   • If a boil has jumped on your face, it must be kept clean, not masked with a thick layer of makeup. Furuncles on the face cause a lot of discomfort, but it will be much better if the surface of the boil interacts with air - so your immune system will cope with the boil much faster.
2. 2 Apply a warm compress. If you apply warm rags or flannel compresses, the boil will open and mature faster, because the heat causes the blood vessels under the skin to expand, thereby increasing the flow of blood and lymph. Heat also reduces pain, although it increases local inflammation. Soak a clean cheesecloth with water and place in the microwave for 30–45 seconds. Apply warm compresses to the affected area several times a day (about 20 minutes at a time) until the boil begins to "ooze" and shrink.
   • Be sure to wash the towel when finished to prevent spreading the infection, although the microwave will most likely kill the bacteria.
   • After the microwave oven, the compress should not be too hot, otherwise you can burn yourself and worsen the situation.
3. 3 Consider using tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic / antiseptic that is often used to treat skin infections. It is obtained from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Tea tree oil can help get rid of the boil because it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, although there is still no exact data on how deeply it absorbs into the skin. This oil is also useful after opening the boil so the infection does not spread to other areas of the skin. Take a clean gauze, dip it a couple of times in tea tree oil, and then apply it to the boil 3-5 times a day. Try to keep this gauze away from your eyes, otherwise it will pinch.
   • Tea tree oil causes allergic reactions in some people (but this is rare), so if you notice that the skin around the boil becomes swollen and irritated, stop using this oil.
   • Other natural antibiotics that have similar effects to tea tree oil include olive leaf extract, oregano oil, lavender, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and iodine solution.
4. 4 Try to release purulent fluid from the boil. Once the boil is ripe and burst itself, try applying light pressure to the edges of the boil with a sterile absorbent tissue. Do not be surprised if you see quite a lot of pus mixed with blood - there is usually much more pus than when opening a simple pimple. Try to absorb as much pus and blood as possible with this cloth, then discard this cloth and thoroughly clean the surface of the boil and the area around it with antiseptic wipes. Boils are not contagious, but bacteria can remain inside them.
   • The boil may continue to "ooze" slowly for several hours, so you can apply an antibiotic ointment on top and then cover the affected area with a small protective dressing overnight.
   • Fresh air and sunlight will help the boil heal, but too much direct sunlight can burn the damaged tissue, leaving a pale spot for weeks or months.
   • Continue to apply warm compresses for several days after the boil opens, this will help to clear the infectious focus as much as possible. Don't forget to change your compresses!

Part 2 of 2: Medical Treatment

1. 1 Think about when to see a doctor. Most boils are caused by ingrown hairs or small splinters trapped in the skin. In people with normal functioning of the immune system, boils open themselves and disappear after a few weeks. But if the boil persists for more than a few weeks (or occurs intermittently), if it hurts badly, if you feel swollen lymph nodes, fever / chills, or loss of appetite, see your doctor. If the boil is too large (more than 5 cm in diameter), you should also see your doctor.
   • Boils are not considered a serious skin condition, but there are other skin conditions that may resemble a boil (eg, skin cancer, allergic reactions, bee or wasp stings, diabetic abscess, infection with a resistant strain of MRSA bacteria, herpes lesions, or chickenpox).
   • Antibiotic ointments (Erythromycin, Levomekol, Tetracycline, Clindamycin, and the like) are often ineffective because the ointment does not penetrate deeply enough into the skin to kill bacteria.
2. 2 Ask your doctor if it is advisable to open the boil surgically. If your doctor confirms that you really have a boil, and not something more serious, he may recommend surgical treatment if the boil is too large or painful. Lancing a boil is a short inpatient procedure in which the doctor applies a local anesthetic and makes a small incision at the top of the boil to evacuate the pus and establish drainage. The doctor will then apply a protective bandage, give care instructions, and let you go home. Opening a boil in a medical facility is always much safer than trying to open a boil at home.
   • In some cases, deep skin lesions that cannot be completely excised by dissection may be treated and sterile gauze may be applied to evacuate any remaining pus.
   • Depending on the size of the boil, a small scar (scar) may remain on the skin when opened. If the boil is on your face, it can be a problem, so talk to your doctor about all of your options.
3. 3 Only take antibiotics if absolutely necessary. Antibiotics are rarely needed to treat a boil, although a doctor may prescribe them if the infection is severe enough or recurs frequently.For people with multiple or recurrent boils, antibiotics are given by mouth for 10-14 days. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe two different antibiotics and strong antibiotic ointments to be applied to your skin throughout the day.
   • Overuse of antibiotics over the past few decades has triggered the emergence of many resistant bacterial strains that can threaten lives. If you have a furuncle or other skin disease while you were in the hospital (about another disease), immediately inform your doctors or nurses!
   • A side effect of antibiotics is to kill “good” bacteria in the intestines, which can lead to poor digestion, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. Allergic reactions, rashes, and shortness of breath are also common consequences of antibiotic use.

Tips

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after treating your boil at home. This will reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
• Poor diet, poor hygiene, harsh chemicals, diabetes and a weakened immune system make the body more susceptible to boils.
• If you develop a boil or other skin lesion, do not share towels, razors, or clothing.
• Do not use someone else's roll-on deodorant.

Warnings

• If you have a weakened immune system, heart problems, diabetes mellitus, or are taking medications that suppress the immune system (such as corticosteroids), you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• See your GP or dermatologist if the boil becomes very painful, does not go away after a few weeks, or triggers a fever.
• Do not try to open or squeeze the boil (especially if you are not able to), as this can cause irritation and secondary infection.