How to Heal Abcessed Boils
Many people have the misconception that boils are caused from a lack of personal hygiene. However, this is not always the case. Boils are caused by a bacteria that gets into the body through a cut or a hair follicle called Staphlococcus. The people who are at the highest risk for getting boils are people with diabetes, improper nutrition and those with immune problems. Boils can be painful, but, thankfully, many of them can be treated at home. Ideally you should start the treatment as soon as you discover the boil.
Things You'll Need
- Shower or warm wet cloth
- Drawing salve
- Cotton ball
- Medical tape
- Neosporin
Instructions
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1
Take a hot shower. The heat from the shower will help bring the boil to the surface and allow it to open. Once it is open, it may drain on its own.
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2
After showering you must apply a drawing salve, if showering alone did not cause the boil to drain. The salve can be purchased at a natural or herbal remedy store or local pharmacy.
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3
Once you have applied the drawing salve, cover the boil with a cotton ball and use medical tape to secure the cotton ball. The boil should drain over night.
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4
Apply Neosporin to the boil and surrounding area for several days. This will help the area heal faster and reduce the chances of scarring.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have time to shower, you can also use a cloth with warm water applied to the boil to bring it to a head. Do not try to pop the boil like you would a zit. This can be extremely painful and will cause scarring.
Always use a cotton ball after applying a drawing stave to ensure that the puss that comes out of the boil does not infect the surrounding skin.
