fbpx
Potentash
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Fiction
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Skin + Beauty
  • Health
  • Relationships
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Fiction
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Skin + Beauty
  • Health
  • Relationships
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
Boils

Boils on skin Image from https://tinyurl.com/sh5rbe6a

Health: Home Remedies For Boils

Nereah Obimbo by Nereah Obimbo
June 23, 2021
in Skin
Reading Time: 6 mins read
428 23
0
541
SHARES
3k
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

Boils are common skin infections that typically occur in places with hair or where rubbing occurs. They are red, pus-filled sometimes painful bumps under your skin that often pop up in the most inopportune place. They generally grow larger until they are drained. To begin with, don’t pick or squeeze a boil. If it’s serious and is not drained properly by a doctor or medical professional, it could infect the nearby areas and push the infection deeper into the skin causing more boils. Here are some ways to deal with boils at home.

Causes and Risk Factors

Boils are caused by bacteria that infect and then inflame hair follicles. Other possible causes include ingrown hairs and clogged sweat glands.

Risk factors that may increase your chances of developing boils include

  • Improper hygiene
  • Having small cuts on the skin
  • Having certain skin conditions such as acne or eczema
  • Having an immune disorder or weakened immune system which makes you more vulnerable to bacterial infections
  • Having close contact with someone who has had boils such as through sharing razors or towels
  • Allergic reactions including allergic reactions to fabrics and laundry products
  • Damaged hair follicles
  • Excessive scratching with infected fingers and nails
  • Excessive sweating can lead to an accumulation of dirt
  • Infected lymph nodes
  • Stress and overexertion
  • Waxing or shaving

Home remedies & treatment

You can treat a boil at home without seeking medical attention but it’s important to remember not to pick at the boil or try to pop it yourself. The boil may drain on its own which is an important part of the healing process. Resist the impulse to speed things along by doing it yourself.

Because a boil is a skin infection you could pass it on to people. Once you find that you have one, don’t go swimming in public pools or gyms and don’t share any toiletries if you have been doing so.

1. Applying heat

This is the best home remedy to start with. Apply a warm compress to the area for about 20 minutes at a time, three or four times a day every day until the boil is gone. You can also soak a washcloth in hot water and press it gently against the boil for about 10-20 minutes and repeat that several times a day. The heat helps increase circulation in the area, bringing more white blood cells and antibodies to the area to fight the infection.

2. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties which can help treat the bacterial infection causing the boil. Tea tree oil however should not be applied directly to the skin because it can have a burning effect. Instead, mix five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of either coconut oil or olive oil. Use a cotton swab to apply it to the boil two to three times a day, daily until the boil is completely gone.

3. Turmeric powder

Turmeric powder also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help heal a boil and get rid of it quickly. You can either ingest it or use it topically to treat boils. To ingest it, boil a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water or milk, allow it to cool then drink it. To use it topically, mix turmeric with water, ginger, or both to make a paste and apply the paste to the boil at least twice a day until the boil is completely gone.

Spices: The Many Benefits Of Turmeric

4. Epsom salt

Epsom is mainly used as a relaxing remedy but it can help treat boils too. The salt helps dry out the pus, causing the boil to drain. Dissolve Epsom salt in warm water and soak a compress in it. Apply the compress to the area for 20 minutes at a time. Do it at least three times a day until the boil is completely gone.

Health & Beauty: Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits You Probably Didn’t Know About

5. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and pain reliever

For fast-acting and soothing action, you can opt for over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment. If you are in a lot of pain because of the boil, you can purchase an OTC pain reliever.

General care

1. Keep it clean

As with any infection, it is important that you keep the area clean. Use antibacterial soap and warm water to wash the boil at least twice daily or you can use an antibacterial cream. Afterwards, pat the area dry and keep any towels you use during the time you have a boil separate from others.

2. Practice good hygiene

This is critical in treating a boil. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands after touching the boil or surrounding area to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of your body.

3. Use a cover or bandage

To help it heal faster, try and keep it covered. After cleaning the boil and the area around it, apply a clean dressing to keep it covered and protected. A bandage or gauze will do.

4. Wash your beddings

To help lower the risk of further infection, wash your bedding, clothing, and towels at least once a week at high temperatures to kill the bacteria. Also, refrain from sharing towels with anyone.

Other remedies that are not medically proven but people swear work include using castor oil, neem oil, and onion rings. Castor oil has been used since ancient times to heal wounds and moisturize skin. Just apply castor oil directly to the boil three times a day until the boil is gone. Neem oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that can treat skin infections. Apply some neem oil directly to the boil three or four times a day until the boil is gone. For onions, cut an onion into thick slices, wrap a slice in gauze and apply it to the boil for an hour. Do this twice daily until it clears up. If you do it too frequently though, you are likely to get a skin rash.

If the above methods are not working then you should go see a doctor.

Here’s hoping this helps. Get well soon.

How To Deal With Ingrown Hairs

Here are some home remedies to treat a toothache. Also, check out Health: 8 Benefits Of Honey You Should Know About

Share216Tweet135SendShare38Pin49
Previous Post

Lifestyle: 10 Tips For Cleaning And Maintenance Of Your Iron

Next Post

Tomatoes For Beauty And Skin Care

Nereah Obimbo

Nereah Obimbo

Writer. Filmmaker. Lover of life, words and rational thinking #Activism.

Next Post

Tomatoes For Beauty And Skin Care

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Two Hanging Rattan Chairs - Considerations when choosing patio or outdoor furniture

Lifestyle: Considerations When Buying Patio Or Outdoor Furniture

January 28, 2022
24

Lifestyle: 10 Valentine’s Day Outfits You Can Wear For A Hot Date

February 2, 2019
330

Popular Stories

  • images of https://cookpad.com/ke/recipes/10628962-beef-pilau

    5 Different Ways To Cook Pilau

    6683 shares
    Share 2673 Tweet 1671
  • Skincare: How To Do A DIY Vajacial At Home

    8451 shares
    Share 3380 Tweet 2113
  • To Marry The Person Who Loves You More Or The One You Love More?

    3865 shares
    Share 1546 Tweet 966
  • Travel: Everything You Need To Know About The Nairobi Commuter Train Schedule

    6561 shares
    Share 2624 Tweet 1640
  • Health: 7 Benefits Of Purple Tea You May Not Know About

    2540 shares
    Share 1016 Tweet 635
Potentash

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Categories

  • Ethics Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Fiction
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Skin + Beauty
  • Health
  • Relationships

Copyright © 2022. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In