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A boil is an infection of a hair follicle
What to look for
The first stage of a boil
is a painful swollen lump filled with pus, usually on the face, neck, buttocks, armpits.
A clump of boils is
called a carbuncle; a boil on the eyelid is a sty.
A boil may look like a bad
pimple but in fact is the result of an infection that has invaded a blocked hair follicle.
At the start a boil is red and tender; after a week pus is visible under the skin, causing
the boil to become a white colour. The boil can become quite swollen and painful before
the skin breaks, the pus drains, and the sore clears.
Causes
The staph bacteria that
cause boils typically enter the body through cuts, scratches, and other breaks in the
skin. They can be transmitted from person to person and can live on us all the time.
Immune Problems; diabetes; hygiene ; exposure to certain
industrial chemicals; overuse of corticosteroids; and a poor lifestyle, or nutrition are
all potential causes of boils.
Traditional Treatment
Most boils can be treated
at home simply by washing the infected area with antibacterial soap, and applying a hot
washer or compress which will help bring the boil to a head. Over-the-counter topical
antibiotics are also effective in limiting the spread of bacterial infection.
Do not squeeze as this can
spread the infection. When they burst, wash the area gently until no more pus appears,
then cover with a bandaid to avoid reinfection. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly, and
disinfect towels.
If the pain is severe, or
if a boil refuses to pop, it may be lanced by a doctor.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Boils have plagued humans
for centuries, and humans have countered with all sorts of remedies. Use caution when
trying alternative remedies on your skin, because the wrong treatment may actually
aggravate an infection.
Chinese Herbs -
Chinese herbal medicine focuses on reducing heat in the body, which is thought to
cause boils. Try drinking tea made from
dandelion,
chrysanthemum flower or violet. Chinese herbal medicine focuses on reducing heat in the body, which is thought to
cause boils. Try drinking tea made from
dandelion,
chrysanthemum flower or violet.
Herbal Therapies
- For inflammation, an over-the-counter ointment made with marsh mallow, a poultice of slippery elm, and a tincture of blue flag or
myrrh . For inflammation, an over-the-counter ointment made with marsh mallow, a poultice of slippery elm, and a tincture of blue flag or myrrh .
Aromatherapy -
To fight infection, apply tea tree oil to the boil four to six times a day. Essential
oils of
bergamot,
lavender,
chamomile, and
sage are also recommended for their antibacterial
properties.
Goldenseal mixed with distilled witch
hazel to use as a wash. To fight infection, apply tea tree oil to the boil four to six times a day. Essential
oils of
bergamot,
lavender,
chamomile, and
sage are also recommended for their antibacterial
properties.
Goldenseal mixed with distilled witch
hazel to use as a wash.
Homoeopathy -
If a boil comes up suddenly and is very red and hot,
Belladonna three to four times daily may slow or
halt the infection. For very painful boils try
Hepar
sulphuris, and for those that heal slowly use
Silica,
in the same potency and frequency. If a boil comes up suddenly and is very red and hot,
Belladonna three to four times daily may slow or
halt the infection. For very painful boils try
Hepar
sulphuris, and for those that heal slowly use
Silica,
in the same potency and frequency.
Dietary Considerations
Eat plenty of fresh fruits
and vegetables, and eat more garlic for its antiseptic properties, and foods high in zinc
to enhance the immune system. You can accomplish this through your diet, or you can take
tablets.
At-Home Remedies
a warm Epsom salt bath
will help draw the pus out of a boil.
wash with antibacterial
soaps if boils appear on the face.
do not pop boils as it
can worsen the infection and worsen the scarring.
Prevention
When to seek further
professional advice
the boil causes excessive
pain; you may want a doctor to lance and drain it.
the inflammation is
accompanied by a fever, or the boil appears on your lip, nose, cheeks, forehead, or spine;
You have a boil that is
very tender, particularly if it has red lines radiating from it, or if you have fever and
chills; the infection may have spread.
you are diabetic and
start to get boils; this can indicate that your blood sugar level is too high - seek
medical advice.
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