A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.
• The most common places for boils to appear are on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. When one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty.
• If several boils appear in a group, this is a more serious type of infection called a carbuncle.
Causes of Boils
Most boils are caused by a germ (staphylococcal bacteria). This germ enters the body through tiny nicks or cuts in the skin or can travel down the hair to the follicle.
These health problems make people more susceptible to skin infections:
• Diabetes
• Problems with the immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin
Symptoms of Boils
A boil starts as a hard, red, painful lump usually about half an inch in size. Over the next few days, the lump becomes softer, larger, and more painful. Soon a pocket of pus forms on the top of the boil. These are the signs of a severe infection:
• The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful, warm, and swollen.
• More boils may appear around the original one.
• A fever may develop.
• Lymph nodes may become swollen.
Remedies for Boils
1. Warm Compress
Some people use boil drawing salves to pull out pus. Instead of this, you can treat a boil with a warm washcloth compress. You are required to dip a clean cloth in warm water. For more effective results, you can add salt to the warm water. Place this warm and wet cloth on the boil for 10-12 minutes. To get quick relief, practice this process for six times a day.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is considered to be a natural blood purifier. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful for the treatment of boils. In a glass of warm milk or water, stir one spoon of turmeric. Drink this herbal mix three times a day.
Turmeric can also be used with fresh ginger. Make a paste of fresh ginger and turmeric, and apply it directly on the boil.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the preferable antiseptics, which is used for healing all types of skin problems. To heal the boil, apply one drop of tea tree oil directly on the boil.
Note: Do not consume tea tree oil internally.
4. Castor Oil
Castor oil is considered as an antiseptic for treatment of a boil. Put some drops of castor oil on a cotton ball. Put the cotton ball on the boil, directly. This will draw out the poison right out of the boil.
5. Milk
Milk is an ancient remedy for the treatment of boils. Heat one cup of milk and add three teaspoons of salt in it. Stir the mixture thoroughly. To make the mixture thick, add some bread crumbles or flour in it. Apply the thick mixture directly on the boil. For quick results, repeat the process for several times in a day.
Milk cream can also be used to heal a boil. Add vinegar and turmeric powder in a teaspoon of milk cream and apply the mixture directly on the boil.
6. Onion
Onion has antimicrobial as well as antiseptic properties that are effective for the treatment of boils. You are required to take a thick slice of onion and place it directly on the boil. Wrap the onion with a cloth so that the heat of the onion reaches inside the skin. If the process is practiced 3-4 times a day, the boil will surely drain out.
7. Egg
Egg white is used for curing boils. Take one egg. Boil it and peel it. Wet the white of the egg and apply directly on the boil. Cover it with a clean cloth.
8. Bacon
Take some salt pork or bacon and roll it in salt. Now, place it in between the two pieces of cloth. Put the cloth directly on the boil. Though, the process is untidy, but, if practiced many times in a day, it will surely drain out the pus from the boil.
9. Corn Meal
Cornmeal is a natural absorbent and very effective for healing boils. Boil half cup of water and put some cornmeal in it to make a thick paste. Apply the paste directly on the boil and cover it with a clean cloth. Until the pus drains out, repeat the process multiple times a day.
10. Jelly Jar
Take a vessel and boil a cup in it for a few minutes. With the help of tongs, take out the cup. Before it gets cool, place it directly on the boil. This will increase blood pressure in the affected area and pus will come. Wipe out the pus and wash the area.
11. Cumin Seeds
Take some cumin seeds. Grind them and make a paste, adding some water. Apply it directly to the infected area. You will surely notice effective results.
12. Parsley Leaves
Boil some parsley leaves in water. After warming, wrap the leaves in a thin clean cloth. Use it as a bandage on the boil. This will help boil to burst out fast, without any infection.
13. Black Seed (Kalonji)
Black seeds possess medicinal properties, which help in curing skin diseases. Make a paste of black seeds by grinding them. Apply the paste directly on the boil.
Black seed oil is also effective to cure boil. Mix ½ tsp of black seed oil in a cold or hot drink. Drink the mixture two times a day.
14. Indian Lilac (Neem)
Lilac is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. It is effective for treating boils and providing relief in the pain. Make a paste of a handful of neem leaves. Apply the paste directly on the boil.
Boil some neem leaves in the water until the water evaporates to one-third. Use the boiled water to rinse the infected area.
15. Bread Poultice
Bread is an easily available ingredient in home. Bread poultice or bandage is helpful in healing boils. You are required to soak a slice of bread in warm water or milk. Place the soaked bread directly on the boil. On repeating the process twice a day, the boil will disappear naturally.
16. Garlic
Garlic is also used in treating boils. Prepare a paste of fresh garlic cloves. Apply it directly on the boil.
Alternatively, heat 1 garlic clove and put it directly on the boil. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. For better results, repeat the procedure for several times in a day.
Instead of making paste or heating the garlic clove, one can have 2-3 garlic cloves daily to get rid of boils and other skin diseases.
17. Nutmeg (Jaiphal)
Nutmeg is known for stimulating blood circulation in the body. Mix half teaspoon of nutmeg powder in 1 hot cup of milk or water. Drink the mixture to prevent bacterial infection in the boil.
18. Echinacea, Pasque Flower and Poke Root Tea
Prepare tea by adding two parts of wild indigo and one part of Echinacea, poke root, and Pasque flower. Drink the tea thrice a day for fast healing.
The tea can also be applied directly on the boil.
19. Eucalyptus Oil
Prepare a mixture of 3 drops of eucalyptus oil and 25 grams of powdered slippery elm. Add boiling water to make a thick paste. Apply directly onto the boil. Until the pus drains out, repeat the process many times.
20. Marshmallow
To draw out pus, use a marshmallow leaf or figwort as a bandage on the boil.
21. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is very effective remedy for various health and skin problems. Fill your bath tub with warm water and Epsom salt to it. Take a bath. It will alleviate the boils.
22. Asafoetida (Hing) and Basil Leaves (Tulsi)
Extract the juice of basil leaves. Crush a piece of ginger to make a paste. Now, mix the paste and juice properly. Add asafoetida to it. Use this mixture on the affected area to heal the problem fast.
REMEMBER
Boils usually do not need immediate emergency attention. However, if you are in poor health and you develop high fever and chills along with the infection, a trip to a hospital's emergency room is needed.