A popular hamburger chain has a commercial about the angry onion that takes its revenge out on an unsuspecting customer. You could describe a boil in the same way. Not only is a boil a bigger, angrier version of a pimple, it’s quite painful and embarrassing. I tend to think of boils as pimples on steroids.
Plainly speaking, a boil is an infection deep in the skin. The pimple you see on the skin’s surface is literally just the head. A boil can be as deep as two inches below the skin. Generally, it starts as a red, sensitive spot. Over time, the area becomes hard and the center softens and becomes filled with white blood cells (pus). These cells are trying to stop the infection. Eventually, the pus forms a head and drains out. That’s the embarrassing part. A draining boil can let loose with copious amounts of fluid.
I had a friend that had one on the butt. It started to drain while she was standing in line at the grocery store. She literally had to run out the store. Boils also tend to form where there are hair and/or sweat glands – all the private spots you really don’t want on display.
A small boil can be handled at home with hot compresses and any number of salves and poultices. A good remedy is soaking in a hot bath. Add two cups of Epsom salts, and 3 drops each of lavender and tea tree oil to the bath water. If you prefer a poultice, try this recipe—combine 1 tablespoon of grated white potato and ½ teaspoon of slippery elm powder. Apply it to the boil with a gauze pad and hold it in place for several hours.
Sometimes clusters of boils will form and these are called carbuncles. The preferred way to deal with this is to have it lanced by a doctor. While the experience is no picnic, it’s sanitary so you won’t have to worry about a secondary infection. Also, a doctor can prescribe antibiotics or pain medication, if necessary.
So, what causes boils? Mainly, it’s an infection of a hair follicle by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria; however, boils can also be the result of cystic acne or a plugged sweat gland. While anyone can develop a boil, certain groups of people are more susceptible –
- People with compromised immune systems
- People in close contact with a person who has a staph infection
- Diabetics who generally have difficulty fighting bacterial infections of the skin
- People with other skin conditions that damage the skin’s protective barrier
A normal immune system can deal with the staph bacteria. Repeated outbreaks of boils may indicate a compromised immune system, and this is why a naturopath or herbalist will want to treat boils from the inside as well as the outside. Usually remedies made of an herb that supports the immune system such as Echinacea or a homeopathic remedy such as Anthracinum are used. Keeping your immune system strong and practicing good hygiene will greatly reduce your chances of ever getting a boil.
Didn’t expect to follow your name on my blog back to another post about butt boils! haha!
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Butt boils are a popular topic
Thanks for your contribution to Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival. You have provided good information on a common problem.
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I think what people often forget when dealing with boils, is for the most part let them be. They will heal on their own with a little pain, and toical relief, unless as you mentioned above there are issues with the immune system. People often start picking and thats where the real trouble begins. The infection spreads and the next thing you know you have other boils. Try never to pick at a boil it will cause you great pain and possible other boils.
as a teen i admin i did have some problems with boils.
my doctor said it was due to blood poisening i had at he time.
very nasty time in my life and i hope no one has to go through that
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An old home remedy states that green figs laid on the boil will help speed up recovery.
I am particularly pleased that your approach to this problem is basically natural. This is good because when we use natural solutions to any health problem we have the chances of bad side effects is rare. Ordinarily most will start using different antibiotics. And I don’t know if you have heard of the superbug (MRSA). This is basically staphylococcus aureus that is resistant. This alone cause so much problems today and you can bet you will find them in boils also. Watch out when you want to use antibiotics. make sure you use them properly.
That boil is a sight! I had one a few months ago and I used a remedy not much different than this. It worked.
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Nice post, I learned a lot thank you. I have a tendency to get boils, not very often but they do arise. They usually come when I do not use an anti-bacterial bath soap like Dial. As long as I bathe or shower with that soap, I am fine. if I run out and have to use a soap like Ivory or one not antibacterial, then sometimes they arise. I have found out that when I use talcum powder around my groin and butte area I will get them.
The natural remedies you listed I will be taking note of for the future, thank you.
This is good because when we use natural solutions to any health problem we have the chances of bad side effects is rare. Ordinarily most will start using different antibiotics. And I don’t know if you have heard of the superbug (MRSA). thanks..
Thanks for the remedy. Hopefully, I’ll never have a boil again, but if I ever, I’ll try this.
Boil is certainly annoying and painful. Some people will drain the pus by pricking the boil. But this action can cause secondary infection and making the boil worst than ever. What is important is to keep the area clean after pricking it. The tips on natural remedies are good because it is safer and simple. I will surely try this.