What Are Boils?
Boils are caused by a skin infection that starts in the oil gland or hair follicle. In the beginning, the affected area turns red, and a lump develops. A couple of days or a week later, the lump changes color and becomes white due to the pus under the skin. Boils are not the same as acne or spots. They usually develop around the face, armpits, neck, buttocks, and shoulders area. If a boil appears on your eyelid, it’s known as a sty. Sometimes, several boils can develop in the same area which is a more serious case. This is known as a carbuncle.
What Causes Boils?
The leading cause of boils is the Staphylococcal bacteria, which enters your body through minor cuts in the skin or travels down to the hair follicle through the pores. Poor hygiene, poor nutrition, diabetes, and a compromised immune system all play a factor in increasing the chances of being affected by this bacteria. A Staphylococcal infection can sometimes cause a fever, and your lymph nodes might swell as a result of your body combatting said infection. These are more severe cases, and should the pain become unbearable or should another boil appear, you must seek medical attention urgently.
Home Remedy For Boils
In the cases where a boil has just started to develop, you can simply use an ointment called Boil Ease, which works like a charm, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Applied twice a day, it eases the pain, reduces inflammation and treats the infection.
How To Get Rid Of Boils
There are some really simple tips and tricks that are helpful for getting rid of boils quickly and efficiently.
To alleviate the pain, and increase the chances of the boil draining on its own, gently apply warm compresses to the boil and soaking the boil in warm water regularly. The heat from the warm compresses helps draw the pus to the surface, and soothes any pain and discomfort. Using this method, you will speed up the process of the boil coming to a head and within a week or so, it should be clearing up nicely.
Once you get the boil to start draining, make sure to keep it clean and free of bacteria by washing the affected area with an anti-bacterial soap. You can also go a step further and sanitize the boil with rubbing alcohol. You should still continue to use warm compresses and medical ointments to help the wound heal faster.
However, it is extremely important to remember that you should never pop the boil yourself, whether by picking at it or using a needle. This could potentially worsen your infection and bring on more severe symptoms for which you will need medical attention. The medical attention will generally consist of a physical exam of the affected area, and other areas of the body if the infection has spread.
