Home Remedies For Boils: Procedure, Recovery, Risk & Complication

Boils are pus-filled abscesses on the skin that form due to a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. They often occur due to poor hygiene or malnutrition but can occur due to a weak immune system or exposure to certain chemicals or medication. Fortunately, not only are they external skin issues and easy to spot, but they can also be treated at home. Here are some methods for treating boils:

1. Warm Compress:

   One of the best and most well-known treatments for boils is a hot compress as it helps to drain the pus. To administer this treatment, you can take warm water with a few tablespoons of salt in it, dip a clean washcloth in the warm water and apply it to the affected area. You should keep applying the washcloth for ten to fifteen minutes. This process is to be repeated several times a day to clean out the pus and prevent it from settling in. It should be repeated twice a day at least.

2. Tea Tree Oil:

   Tea Tree Oil is another well-known home remedy for boils. Being an antiseptic, Tea Tree Oil is good for treating all kinds of skin issues and infections. All you need to do is apply a drop of it to the affected area on the skin. The antiseptic properties of the oil will help kill off the bacteria that is causing or aggravating the boil and help it heal faster. It can be applied in between warm compresses to heal the skin once the puss has been drained.

3. Turmeric powder:

   Turmeric powder is a natural blood purifier that possesses antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory characteristics. Because of its antibacterial property, it helps to cure the boil quickly. Turmeric and ginger paste prevents boils.

4. Epsom salt:

   Epsom salt helps to dry out the pus which leads the boil to drain. Try to apply the compress soaked in a solution of Epsom salt and water for 15 - 20 minutes daily.

5. Castor oil:

   A compound named ricinoleic acid is present in castor oil which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So, applying castor oil directly on boils acts as a natural treatment for boils. You need to apply this at least 3 times a day to get rid of it.

6. Neem:

   Neem is known by everyone for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. You need to apply neem oil directly on the boils at least 3-4 times a day. Neem oil will help to cure the boils fast. Neem oil is one of the most effective home remedies for Boils.

7. Garlic:

   juice can be extracted from the fresh garlic and it can be applied directly to the boils for 15-20 minutes. It should be done at least two times daily. Turmeric and ginger paste prevents boils.

8. Antibiotic ointments:

   ointment such as Neosporin can be applied to the boils to prevent the infection from spreading.

9. Raw onion:

   Onions contain compounds that have antibiotic properties and help to drain out the pus from boils. You need to cut onions into thick slices and apply them to the boil. Onions generate heat which stimulates the natural healing mechanism of the body.

10. Drink Milk:

    Drinking milk adequately helps to fight against the Boils infection due to the presence of vitamins and essential nutrients in milk. You can also add turmeric to milk and drink it after boiling for best results

11. Cumin seeds:

    Cumin seeds have a cooling effect on boils. You can make a paste of cumin seeds after soaking in water for a few minutes and apply it to the boils, it will help to reduce the irritation around the boils.

12. Yoghurt:

    Add yogurt to your daily life.

13. Keep your skin clean:

    Mostly boils are caused due to bacterial infection by Staphylococcus bacteria. If the skin around the boils is not cleaned it will lead to the spreading of infection around the surrounding area. Keep your skin clean to stop the spread of boils further.

Summary: Boils can be recovered by warm compress, neem, castor oil, tea tree oil, yogurt, cumin seed, raw onion. Drink milk and keep yourself hydrated.

These remedies are quite safe and there is no risk of side-effects occurring if they are administered properly and with care. In certain specific cases, however, there is a possibility of side-effects occurring. These side-effects are usually the result of uninformed administration of the remedies or due to lack of caution on part of the people administering the treatment. These can be:

1. Allergic reaction:

   If the patient is allergic to tea tree oil, it can trigger a reaction in the form of inflamed skin in the area that it is applied. While it is very uncommon for someone to be allergic to tea tree oil, it is not a common side-effect. However, caution should be practiced while any new substance is applied to skin that is already facing issues such as boils.

2. Infection:

   While boils occur due to bacterial infection, the infection can often be aggravated if treatments are not carried out in a sterile condition. To avoid this make sure that you use a clean washcloth for the warm compress. It also doesn’t hurt to put some potassium permanganate in the water when preparing it for the warm compress. This will ensure that the open wound or surrounding skin is not exposed to any additional bacteria that might cause its condition to worsen.

Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home remedy only if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health

There are no major post remedy guidelines as boils are a problem that tends to subside soon with proper treatment. However, the treatment should be continued for a few days even after the problems have begun to subside, to prevent coagulation of the pus and keep the affected area clean and free of bacteria. Other things to be kept in mind are:

• To keep the affected area clean to avoid further infection.
• It is advised not to pick at any coagulating pus or scabs that form in the affected area. Such scabs are to be washed off while applying the warm compress, as that will make sure that they are removed safely.
• One should also keep in mind not to scratch the affected area as that might worsen the wound if not aggravate the infection and inflammation.

Summary: Follow the post remedy guidelines. Keep the area around the wound clean, avoid touching or scratching the wound.

These remedies will begin showing results as soon as they are applied. The warm compress will begin draining the pus from the first application itself. However, when applied twice daily, this remedy will take between one to two weeks to completely heal the area affected. If you are looking for more rapid results, you can apply the warm compress, followed by Tea Tree Oil, up to six times a day.

Summary: It usually takes one to two weeks to recover completely if the remedies are followed properly.

When administered safely and correctly the results of the remedy should be permanent. However, since boils can be caused by immune problems, poor nutrition, or poor hygiene among many other issues, they may recur in other areas of the body if the underlying cause is not addressed.

Summary: If the guidelines are followed properly then results if the remedy might be permanent.

As it is a fairly simple procedure that can be administered with household items and over-the-counter medication, there is no training required to administer such a home remedy. However, it does not hurt to consult a doctor on how to apply this home remedy in your particular case.

Summary: No, training or expert assistance is not required to perform these home remedies.