How to Care for a Boil
A boil is a skin infection, most often caused by the microbe Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria gets into a hair follicle, forms pus, and the result is a boil when the pus moves upwards and reaches the surface of the skin.
Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Avoid squeezing a boil, as this may spread the infection.
-
2
Allow the boil to come to a head and open on its own. Applying a warm compress two or three times a day will speed up this process.
-
-
3
Keep the area very clean, especially after the boil has begun to drain.
-
4
Apply a saline solution once the boil has opened. Mix 1 tsp. table salt with 1 c. hot water. Wet a washcloth in the solution and apply it to the boil. This can help dry it out and reduce the amount of pus.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Most boils heal on their own. You should see a doctor if the area becomes increasingly red and inflamed, or if it does not go away within two weeks.
Comments
View all 10 Comments-
nodiarynoboils
Mar 26, 2010
You should suggest that people stop ingesting diary products for an adequate period of time to see if their boils will go away. I used to be able to ingest diary safely however I got vaccinated against the flu when I was 27. The contents of the vaccine was unknown. Soon afterwards in the next few weeks, I began to have horrible boils in the groin area and buttocks. This went on for many many months until one day, I decided to see if diary was the cause. Incredibly, the boils started to disappear when I stopped eating or drinking anything containing diary. All I have are the scars of these boils. I no longer take diary. I no longer have boils. -
jimmmay
Jan 06, 2010
There's no need to run to the doctor for 99.9% of boils. Your body can handle the infection on its own provided you eat a healthy diet and have a normal immune system.
-
labellefleur100
Feb 14, 2009
Boils are gross but for some of us they are tempting to pick at which is a no-no. You will increase your chance of infection. Great advice! 5*
-
labellefleur100
Feb 14, 2009
Boils are gross but for some of us they are tempting to pick at which is a no-no. You will increase your chance of infection. Great advice! 5*
-
musicdiva
Feb 12, 2009
Barbmarch58 is RIGHT!! Don't wait!! MRSA has become so aggressive...I had a tiny one under my armpit and thought it was just an infected hair. WRONG!! Wound up at the doctor 2 days later with a lump the size of a hald dollar and about 1 1/2 inches high!! And the pain was unbearable not including the fact I had started throwing up and running a fever. After massive doses of antibiotics (that also make you feel awful)by injection and by mouth and steriod injections and pain meds, it took 3 weeks for this thing to go away. If the boil has a hard knot to it, no matter how small, GO TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. It could save you life!!
