Boils are red, pus-filled bumps that form under the skin. They can be painful and grow until a doctor drains them. They typically need medical treatment. Never pick at or squeeze a boil, as it could cause an infection to spread.
Boils can grow to the size of a baseball. Larger boils are also known as skin abscesses. The area surrounding the skin can be red and painful too.
Many boils begin from ingrown hairs and clogged sweat glands that become infected, often with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
Here are some home remedies that may help ease pain and help prevent the spread of infection, allowing the boil to heal. But, you should still consider having the boil checked by a doctor because, in many cases, home remedies are not enough to cure a boil.
Heat helps increase circulation in an area, bringing more white blood cells and antibodies to the area to fight the infection.
Applying heat to a boil may be one of the best home remedies you can try since it’s simple and cost effective.
Apply a warm compress to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time. Do this three or four times a day, every day, until the boil is gone.
Research from 2022 has found that tea tree oil has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. These properties may help treat the bacterial infection causing the boil.
Tea tree oil shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin, as it can have a burning effect. Instead, mix five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil.
Put the diluted tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it to a boil two or three times per day. You may notice the boil shrinking. You should stop using the oil if you notice any burning sensations or other reactions to the oil.
Turmeric powder contains curcumin, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
You can choose to ingest turmeric powder or use it topically on the boil.
To ingest it, boil a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water or milk, then let it cool. Drink the mixture three times daily.
To use it topically, mix turmeric with water, ginger, or both to make a paste. Apply the paste to a boil at least twice a day. Stop using it if you notice any reactions to the paste or powder.
Castor oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid, which is a natural but potent anti-inflammatory. This, combined with its potential antibacterial properties,
Apply a small amount of castor oil directly to the boil at least three times a day until the boil is gone. You should stop use if you notice any adverse reactions to the oil.
Neem oil may have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that
To treat boils with neem oil, apply the oil directly to the boil three to four times a day. Make sure you wash your hands before and after the application. Discontinue use if you notice any adverse reactions to the oil.
When applied to the skin, raw onion may have several benefits for the skin and boils.
It may also help to prevent scarring as the boil heals. According to a 2018 study, people who applied onion extract to scars showed as much scar reduction as those that used silicone gel.
This could make onions beneficial in preventing scarring as the boil heals.
Learn about the benefits of onion for the skin and how to use it.
Fresh garlic may have some antimicrobial properties that help heal boils and prevent infection.
Though people have used it in traditional medication for years,
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To use garlic to treat a boil, crush it first. Then apply it to the area and cover it with a cool, wet facecloth. Leave for 20 minutes and reapply after 12 hours if you don’t experience any negative reaction.
It’s important to only use garlic on the skin and not on the mucous membranes, such as in the mouth or on the genital area because it can burn delicate skin.
Generally, certain compounds within ginger
Other experts have also noted that ginger has a general microbial effect and may help with bacteria and other potential pathogens found on the skin.
That said, there’s no direct evidence that applying ginger on a boil can help cure it or reduce inflammation.
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This could imply that ginger has a microbial effect that may help keep boils from becoming infected as they heal.
To use ginger, follow a similar process as the onion. You can use this method with various ingredients. It’s called a poultice.
Tridax daisy, also known as coat button, is a flowering plant native to the tropical Americas. People often regard it as a weed.
However, when concentrated and put into a gel form, it may help provide wound-healing properties, according to a
While it may not cure a boil, it may be able to keep the infection from getting worse. Apply on the boil similarly to other ingredients in this list.
Devil’s horsewhip is a root native to Africa. It has traditionally been used in the Middle East to treat skin conditions, such as boils.
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Whether you try some of the herbal remedies suggested here, it’s very important that you keep the area of the boil clean.
When you clean a boil, you help to prevent the buildup of bacteria or other potentially harmful substances from getting into it and causing an infection.
In addition, cleaning it when a doctor makes an incision to treat it medically
Keeping your sheets clean can also help in the healing process of boils. Clean sheets, washed in hot water and dried in a hot setting, can help prevent the development of microorganisms that may get into the boil and cause infection. Consider washing your bedding every few days as your boil heals.
A boil may clear on its own with proper home care but not always. In some cases, your doctor will need to drain the boil. Otherwise, it could infect nearby areas or push the infection deeper into the skin, causing more boils or potentially life threatening infections.
If drainage is needed, a doctor will make a small incision on the boil and use sterile gauze to absorb and remove additional pus. This should only be done carefully and in a sterile environment.
In some cases, home remedies won’t cut it for stubborn boils. You’ll need to see a doctor to treat it with prescription medication or have your doctor drain it. In addition, you should make an appointment with a doctor if:
- The boil keeps getting larger despite home treatment.
- After a week of home treatment, the boil hasn’t cleared up or diminished.
- The boil is as large as a ping-pong ball.
- The skin surrounding the boil is bright red or has red streaks extending from it.
- The boil is extremely painful.
- There are other lumps near the boil.
- You have recurring boils over several months.
- You also have diabetes.
- You notice any other reactions when applying topical remedies.
Boils most commonly appear on the:
Risk factors that may increase your chances of developing boils
The following sections answer some of your frequently asked questions about healing boils and taking care of them at home.
How do I get rid of a boil overnight?
There’s no way to completely get rid of a boil overnight. However, warm compresses, application of antibiotic cream, or use of creams made of natural remedies may help to lessen its severity and provide temporary relief to pain as it heals.
Can I pop a boil?
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Can a boil go away without draining?
A boil often requires some draining to help it go away. It may pop on its own, or a doctor can assist. You shouldn’t attempt to pop a boil on your own due to the risk of potential infection or other issues.
Can I use over-the-counter antibiotics?
An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment is typically fast-acting and soothing. However, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), it can only prevent the infection from spreading without the boil. This is because the ointment doesn’t penetrate the boil.
Home remedies may be effective for small boils. Make sure to use them as needed to see the best results, and discuss their use with a doctor if you have any questions.
If you haven’t seen results after a week — or if the boil has gotten larger, more painful, or started to show signs of infection — make an appointment with a doctor.
Your doctor may drain the boil by lancing it and prescribe antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. They might test a pus sample from the boil to determine the right antibiotic for you.