Treatment for a Boil on the Face
A boil, also called a skin abscess, occurs when an infection grows deep in the skin. Boils begin as red tender spots on the skin and eventually become hard. Then they soften and become filled with pus as white blood cells fight the infection and get rid of the bacteria. The pus forms a head that will eventually erupt and drain. Very large boils should be treated by a doctor. A mild case of a boil can be treated at home.
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Soaking
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Taking a warm bath with Epsom salts allows the infected area of the face to soak in the water. The salts may accelerate the natural healing process and also relieve some pain.
Warm Compress
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A washcloth soaked in a bowl of warm water, with or without Epsom salts, and applied to the boil for 20 minutes will help the boil to form a head and eventually drain on its own.
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Washing
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Washing the infected area with warm water and antibacterial soap at least once a day helps to keep the skin clean.
Visiting a Doctor
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Very large boils should be cared for by a doctor. The doctor will numb the area. Using a lancet, he will make a small incision to the boil's head. The doctor will drain the boil and place gauze over it. The boil may continue to drain afterwards. The gauze should be changed when it becomes soiled.
Warnings
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Boils should not be squeezed or lanced before the head has formed. Prematurely squeezing or lancing a boil can cause the boil to become more infected. When the boil is finally lanced, the area should be kept clean so the bacteria does not reach other parts of the skin.
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