Boils are caused by infection of one or more hair follicles usually contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, causing a red, pimple-like, pus-filled bump. As the days go by, the infection of the follicle progresses, and the boil becomes more extensive and more painful, so it is essential to treat it and drain its contents to eliminate it.
Boils can appear anywhere on the skin, but they tend to be more common on the buttocks, thighs, armpits, and face. Although it is not advisable to remove boils at home but to go to the doctor for proper care, some natural alternatives can help us relieve the pain of this injury and speed up its adequate recovery. For this reason, in this FastlyHealarticle, you can learn about some natural remedies for boils.
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Causes of boils
Boils commonly appear due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. However, any other microorganism or fungus that comes into contact with the skin can trigger this type of injury. For the bacteria to enter the skin, the hair follicles must present some damage or wound that serves as a window for the infection to penetrate the adjacent tissues.
The staph infection is the most common cause of these injuries because currently, it is considered that 3 in 10 people are colonized with these bacteria without knowing or symptoms apparent, i.e., unaware that microorganisms living in your body and transmit to other people through skin-to-skin contact. People who are more likely to have these bacteria have wounds or sores, take drugs by injection, have artificial joints, have a depressed immune system, live with someone who has the bacteria, play physical contact sports, and have been hospitalized. They share hygiene products such as towels.
If you want to know how to treat this injury naturally, here is a list of home remedies for boils.
Hot water compresses
Hot water compresses are very effective in treating boils naturally because the heat helps open the pores, so it is much easier to drain the pus and clear the infection. Applying a warm compress to the injury for 10 minutes three times a day is advisable.
After several applications, the boil will begin to drain its content; at this time, it is important to continue applying the hot compresses to ensure that the injury is completely emptied and thus can heal completely. If you don’t have compresses at home, you can moisten a small towel in hot water and let it rest on the boil to achieve the same effect.
Turmeric powder
Turmeric is a spice widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in India due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which make it one of the best natural remedies for boils since they allow to deflate the lesion and fight bacteria.
To treat boils with turmeric, it is recommended to add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to half a glass of warm water and take it three times a day. As its effect is so powerful, there is no need to apply turmeric directly to the skin. You can also mix the teaspoon of powder with another drink, such as milk, if you prefer.
Garlic and onion: natural antibiotics
Both garlic and onion have antibiotic properties that allow infections to heal faster, making them one of the best natural remedies for boils. Garlic is ideal to use when the lesion is beginning to grow, as it can stop its progress and thus prevent the accumulation of pus and the excessive growth of the lump.
How to use garlic for boils?
Take garlic, peel it, cut one of its ends and remove it so that it releases all its juice. Apply the garlic juice to the lesion and let it sit until the skin absorbs it. It is advisable to apply garlic twice a day for at least three days or until the boil dries up. It is important to note that only the juice should be used since applying pieces of garlic on the skin can cause burns.
The onion is perfect for treating the boil in its most advanced stage. The pus has already formed or is beginning to start, as its suction power will help drain the wound while exerting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Cut a slice of onion, apply to the lesion and cover with a bandage. Change the onion slice twice a day.
Tea tree oil
The excellent properties of the tea tree are great for treating boils naturally. This substance is antibacterial, healing, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory, so it will allow you to fight the infection that has caused the injury. Still, it will help make the pain much less bothersome and reduce the swelling of the bump. To take advantage of this natural remedy for boils, apply four drops of tea tree oil on the pimple, let it rest until the skin absorbs it, and repeat five times a day until the wound heals completely.
Black cumin
Do you know this spice? If you have not heard it named, it is good that you know that having a somewhat more robust flavor than the original cumin has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties that will help the boil evolve quickly until recovery.
Get black cumin seeds from any specialty spice store and grind a handful into a thick paste. Apply the cumin to the boil until it dries. Then remove the cumin and clean the lesion with a cotton ball moistened with hydrogen peroxide. Applying the paste every two hours until the boil has finished draining all the pus is advisable.
Tips for caring for boils
If you want to heal this condition as soon as possible, in addition to following the natural remedies for boils, we recommend that you follow the following tips:
- It is important not to squeeze or remove the boil to prevent the infection from passing into the bloodstream.
- Boils are injuries that can take a little time to evolve and heal completely, so you must be patient.
- A doctor is the only person trained to drain a boil properly.
- Keep the area where the boil is clean and disinfected.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Natural remedies for boils , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.