| Boils are caused by an infection that enters the skin through a cut or tear of the skin. At first they will be fairly small and red, as the infection progresses the boil will fill with pus and get bigger and start to look more white than red. Once the boil has gotten to this point there are some things you can do to help get rid of it safely. Here is an easy to use boil home remedy.
Boils can show up anywhere on the skin but are usually found on the shoulders, face, groin, buttocks and thighs. They will usually last around 10 days and unless you have any underlying health issues can usually be dealt with right at home.
1. To help the boil come to a head, so that it can drain, you can use a washcloth soaked in warm water to make a compress. Apply this compress to the boil several times throughout the day. Leave it on the boil long enough to heat the skin of the boil to help draw the pus to the surface. Be careful that you check the temperature of the compress before applying it to your skin, you don't want to add insult to injury by burning yourself.
2. You can use cornmeal to make a paste to apply to the boil which will do the same thing as a warm compress, bring the boil to a head. Just mix about one half cup of water to a boil, add the cornmeal and mix it to form a paste. Apply the paste to the boil and cover with a warm washcloth. Do this several times during the day to help the boil drain more quickly.
There are other home remedies which may work but these are the two most common and the two that seem to have the highest success rate.
Additional tips to keep in mind:
1. Thoroughly wash your hands before and after you touch your boil. If you don't, you may spread the infection to others in your household or to other parts of your body.
2. If your boil is accompanied by fever or severe pain make sure to see your doctor right away, don't wait for it to come to a head on it's own.
3. If there are several boils in one area this is a sign of a more serious infection and you should see your doctor right away.
4. Make sure that you carefully wash all the washcloths and clothing that comes into contact with the boil so you don't spread the infection.
5. When the boil has drained you want to keep the area covered with antibacterial cream and a bandage to protect the new skin that is forming and to prevent re-infection.
6. Last but not least, do not try to pop, or lance, the boil yourself. This can make the infection worse and should only be done by your doctor in a sterile environment.
Boils are a common, if gross, thing to occur. They can be painful and they are definitely unsightly but for the most part they aren't dangerous... if you care for them properly.
Follow this boil home remedy advice and you can get rid of your next boil more quickly and without the risk of further infection.
This article is not medical advice and should not be used to replace professional medical advice from your personal medical doctor. |