How to Cope with a Boil

Boils, also known as furuncles, are painful pus-filled bumps on the skin caused by a Staphylococcus bacterial infection. Boils are common, and can be caused by a number of things: ingrown hair, clogged sweat glands, a splinter or other foreign body lodged in the skin and cuts infected with bacteria.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Hot compresses
• Tea tree oil
• Cotton balls

1. A boil is an infection. It is not caused by poor hygiene and is not a reflection on your level of personal care.
2. Begin treatment of the boil as soon as you are aware of it. If left untreated, a boil clears itself within 10 to 24 days. Treating a boil can shorten the healing time considerably.
3. Treat the boil externally. Apply hot compresses to the area every couple of hours. The moist heat causes the boil to come to a head quicker. After the pus is released from the boil, the pain subsides considerably and the boil heals quicker.
4. Saturate a cotton ball with tea tree oil and dab it on the boil and the area around the boil. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Australian tea trees, is nontoxic and can be applied to the boil 3 to 4 times a day. It works as an antibacterial and a germicidal, helping to clear the infection.
5. Fight the boil internally. Increase the amount of garlic in your diet. Garlic works as an antiseptic when eaten and helps detoxify the body. Eating garlic helps clear the body quicker. You might also want to consider detoxifying your body by fasting for 24 to 48 hours, drinking plenty of fruit juice during the fast.
6. Use care when the boil comes to a head and the pus is released. The pus released from a boil contains the Staphylococcus bacteria and is contagious. If the pus comes in contact with your skin, it can cause another boil to appear. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the boil.

Tips & Warnings

• Decrease the number of boils you get by washing your hands regularly with antibacterial soap. If you are prone to boils, using a loofah pad on your skin when you shower helps keep pores around hair follicles free of oil buildup.