Home remedies for boils

A boil is a bacterial skin infection that forms in hair follicles and oil glands. Boils usually develop in regions of the body that experience friction or pressure, such as the face, armpits, groin, shoulders, and buttocks. Boils begin as painful, red bumps that develop a pus-filled head as they progress. Most boils burst, drain,
and heal within 2 days to 3 weeks of formation. A collection of boils (carbuncles) and very large boils require medical attention to prevent the risk of serious complications, including sepsis and death. The safest, easiest way to remove a boil at home is to use a warm compress to speed up the natural drainage process.

Warmth increases the pressure in the infected pore as it slowly draws pus and blood to the surface of the skin. With regular application of a warm compress, the
boil should eventually burst open and drain fully. As long as the opened boil is kept clean, dry, and protected, it should heal within a few days or weeks depending on its size and location. While it is never recommended to attempt to open or drain a boil at home, there are several relatively simple ways to help speed up the process naturally.

A person can treat small, uncomplicated boils by:

•       Soaking a clean washcloth or towel in hot water
•       Wringing most of the water out of cloth and squeezing it into a compress
•       Applying the warm compress to the boil for 10 to 15 minutes
•       Repeating this process 3 to 4 times daily, or until the boil has opened

Once the boil has opened, a person can help it heal and prevent infection by:
•       Rinsing the sore gently with antibacterial soap and covering it with a sterile bandage or gauze.

•       Washing the hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap any time they touch, handle, or change the dressing on the boil or sore.
•       Changing bandages and gauze 2 to 3 times a day depending on the area.
•       Cleaning the area immediately whenever it may have become dirty.
•       Not touching or rubbing the sore as it heals.
•       Washing clothes and bedding with hot water and drying it in the sun while the sore is healing.

Tips for prevention
•       Regularly washing the skin with a mild soap or antibacterial rinse
•       Using a textured cloth, brush, or glove to exfoliate the skin once a week, especially the armpits, groin, face, and shoulders
•       Staying hydrated and eating a nutritious diet to improve immune function
•       Exercising regularly

•       Cleaning and covering broken or damaged skin with a sterile dressing, such as a bandage or gauze
•       Washing hands thoroughly with antibacterial washes or soap after touching a boil or someone with one.

Always bear in mind that;

Using anti-inflammatory and pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce the pain, swelling, and redness associated with boils as they heal.

Typically, antibiotic ointments and creams are not helpful in treating boils, as they do not penetrate infected skin or pores.

It is essential never to force a boil to burst or open at home. A boil is the body's way of defending itself from a much more serious risk. If boils cluster together or develop into pockets deep under the skin (cellulitis), they can burst and leak the infection into the bloodstream.

If left untreated, bacterial bloodstream infections can cause organ failure, sepsis, coma, toxic shock syndrome, and eventually death.

If a boil gets worse after draining or does not improve on its own with basic home care after a week or more you should seek medical attention.

Remember never to force a boil open.

By Mercy Kukah