Boils | Warm Compress For Boil And Another 9 Remedies

Boils are painful, red, swollen, and pus-filled bumps. Warm compress for boil is the first way we use to treat them.

They affect the skin, sweaty areas, and the areas covered with hair such as the face, neck, armpits, breasts, groin, and buttocks.

If a group of hair follicles gets infected, it is called a carbuncle.

Causes 

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are the main reason for boils.

Risk Factors 

• Contacting patients suffering from Staphylococcus aureus infection.

• Immunocompromised patients

• Diabetes

• Lack of hygiene

• Skin problems

Treatments for Boils 

1-Warm compress for boil 

Warm compress for boil is the most common remedy among people and it is a very effective treatment.

Heating the affected area enhances circulation, so it will increase immune cells and alleviate pain. 

How to apply the warm compress for boil

Soak clean wet clothes in warm water then apply it over the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes and repeat this 3 to 4 times daily.

Keep doing this until it opens and drains out. It will take about 10 days. Also, you can use a heating pad over a towel.

Keep the area clean by washing it with water and antibacterial soap twice daily then dry it with a clean towel and cover it with a bandage until healing.

In addition to the warm compress for boil, it is better to take a painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen and it is perfect to reduce your fever.

If it opens by itself let it drain its content out.

2- Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has an antiseptic action that can treat bacterial infection.

Avoid applying it directly to your skin, dilute it first by adding five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil.

Apply it on your boils 2 to 3 times daily until opening by using a cotton swab. 

3- Castor oil

Castor oil has a potent anti-inflammatory effect due to its content of ricinoleic acid. Besides its antibacterial effect, it becomes one of the most powerful treatments besides warm compress for boil.

Use it at least 3 times daily directly to the boil until it is gone.

4- Neem oil

Neem oil is also called Indian lilac. By having an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, it can be used to treat boils.

First of all, wash your hand before and after the application then put it directly to the boil 3 to 4 times a day.

Caution

Routine use of neem oil is not preferred because oil-based products prevent drainage of boils and if you suffer from acne it can help it to spread on your skin.

5- Turmeric powder

Turmeric powder has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that can help you heal from boils.

There are two ways to use it:

-First, you can use it topically as a paste. Mix it with water, ginger, or both to make the paste. Apply it twice daily.

-The second way is ingestion. Boil a teaspoon of turmeric in water or milk then drink it three times a day after cooling.

6- Epsom salt

Epsom salt is working on drying the pus of the boil out also it is considered as a relaxing remedy.

Prepare it by dissolving it in warm water and soaking a compress in it, then applying it on the boil 3 times a day for 20 minutes.

7- Onion

Onion has antibacterial action due to its allicin content. It is a natural antibiotic that can be used to treat boils.

Cut onion into rings then wrap a thick slice in gauze. Apply it for an hour twice daily until it is gone.

Onion also is a natural absorbent, so it can drain the pus out of the boil. It promotes your circulation and your natural wound-healing mechanism.

Caution

Frequent and prolonged usage can cause a rash.

8- Garlic compress

Garlic is like onion. It also has the antibacterial natural compound allicin.

Apply the juice of the clove to the boil then cover it with a bandage to get the desired effect.

If you need a more powerful effect, mix some of the onion juice with the garlic juice.

If the boil is opened, you can put some of the garlic juice to prevent the spreading of infection.

How to prepare the juice

Boil some peeled and crushed cloves in a quart of water for 5 minutes. Then, let it cool for 30 to 45 minutes. Discard the cloves and add the water to a lukewarm water bath and soak for 30 minutes.

9- Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment

Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment can prevent the infection from spreading. 

Neosporin is one of the OTC antibiotics ointments that you can use safely until the boil is gone. Apply it two times daily.

10- Devil's horsewhip extract

It helps in the healing of wounds by applying a few drops of it to the boil. Cover the boil with a bandage after the application.

Keep in mind

If your boil keeps getting larger or lasts more than 2 weeks, you should see a doctor.

Summary 

Warm compress for boil is the most recommended but it is better not to use all these methods for the long term.

 

Avoid sharing your clothes and towels with other people and scratching or opening the boils.

By: Dr. Ziad Tarek