10 Home Remedies For Boils
A boil or furuncle occurs when there is infection of the hair follicle. This is most commonly caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.
Patients with boils often experience painful, red, swollen skin due to the accumulation of dead tissue and pus. In severe cases, there can be fever and lymphadenopathy. Risk factors include diabetes, hematologic disorders, and obesity.
Treatment includes antibiotic therapy and possible surgery. However, there are also some home remedies that may be effective for the treatment of boils.
Home Remedy #1: Warm Compress
A warm compress is a relatively simple home remedy for boils. To do this, soak a towel in warm water, squeeze out the moisture, and place it on top of the affected area. This helps to draw the pus to the surface of the skin allowing a “head” to form. Repeated warm compresses will help the boil to drain.
Regular application of the warm compress is important both before and after the boil opens to accelerate the healing process. The drainage of the boil usually occurs 10 days after the onset. Once the boil has drained, it is important to keep it clean to prevent infection.
Home Remedy #2: Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is of the ginger family and widely used in cooking. It has also been studied for its effects on some human diseases and conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
In boils, turmeric powder may be helpful to increase the healing time. To use turmeric powder as a home remedy for boils, it can be ingested by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric powder in boiled water or milk. Wait until it has cooled before drinking it. This can be done three times a day. It can also be used topically by mixing turmeric with water to make a paste. It can then be applied to the boil twice a day.
Home Remedy #3: Castor Oil
Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil derived from castor beans. It is pale and has a distinct odor and taste. Castor oil is used in traditional medicine for various disorders. For hundreds of years, castor oil has been used as a laxative. The United States Food and Drug Administration has also recognized castor oil as a safe and effective remedy as a laxative.
Another use of castor oil, which has no scientific evidence, includes being used to dilate the cervix for induction of labor. It can also be beneficial as a home remedy for boils as it contains ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It can be applied to the boil three times a day until the boil heals.
Home Remedy #4: Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the tea tree or Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Australia. It has been used traditionally for various skin disorders, such as acne and fungal infections, due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
For boils, tea tree oil can be beneficial to treat the bacterial infection that causes the boil. It is important to not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin as it can cause further irritation or burn the skin. To use tea tree oil for boils, it can be mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil before application. This can be done two to three times a day until the boil has disappeared.
Home Remedy #5: Epsom Salt
Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is traditionally used as a component of bath salts. It can be used to soothe sore muscles. Magnesium sulfate paste can also be used as a home remedy in the treatment of localized infections and small boils. It is beneficial as it helps dry out the pus and allows the boil to drain.
Besides using it as a paste, Epsom salt can also be used as a warm compress and applied to the affected area for 20 minutes, three times a day.
Home Remedy #6: Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic are plants that are widely used for culinary purposes. These plants have also been widely used for the treatment of skin-related issues since ancient times due to their antibacterial properties.
When using onions as a home remedy for boils, slice the onion thickly and wrap it in gauze and apply it over the boil for an hour, once or twice a day. If using garlic, press and extract the juice from the garlic and apply it to the boil for 10 to 30 minutes, once or twice a day.
Home Remedy #7: Belladonna
Belladonna is a plant that is used in traditional or folk medicine. While unsafe, belladonna has been used for the treatment of whooping cough, asthma, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, colic, and as a painkiller. Belladonna is also used as an ointment to alleviate joint pain, leg pain, and nerve pain. This is due to the presence of chemicals that can block functions of the body’s nervous system.
For boils, belladonna can be an effective home remedy, especially in the early stages of the boil. It is best used before there is significant formation of pus, when the area is red, tender, warm, and throbbing.
Home Remedy #8: Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum
Hepar sulphuris calcareum is a homeopathic remedy that is made by combining flowers of sulfur and the inner layer of oyster shells. This combination is then burnt. Homeopaths use this for the treatment of coughs, colds, croup, sore throats, earaches, abscesses, asthma, inflamed cuts, wounds, arthritis, herpes, constipation, and emphysema.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum is believed to be beneficial as a home remedy for boils as it speeds up the collection of pus to accelerate drainage and healing.
Home Remedy #9: Neem Oil
Neem oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the neem fruits and seeds. It is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, acne, leprosy, fever, and tuberculosis. In folk medicine, it has been used as an antiseptic, anthelminthic, diuretic, contraceptive, parasiticide, and insecticide.
Due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it may be beneficial as a home remedy for skin conditions such as boils. To use neem oil for boils, apply the neem oil on the boil three to four times a day.
Home Remedy #10: Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is paste made from cooking tomatoes for a prolonged duration to reduce the water content and making it into a rich and thick concentrate.
It can be an effective home remedy for boils and skin abscess as the acid from the tomato supposedly helps lessen the pain and encourages the formation of a head. This allows the boil to drain faster and helps the healing process. It is important to not attempt to pop the boil or lance it with a needle as it can result in a more serious infection.
