Boils are painful and unattractive but fairly harmless. In fact, most can be treated at home without being drained by a doctor. They’ve been around for thousands of years and remedies for them date back to the Egyptians. They often start as a small, red pimple like spot that over-night can develop into a painful boil. Often they are the result of a bacterial infection, probably staph, gathering around a hair follicle. If you are prone to acne, dermatitis, diabetes and anemia you are more likely to get a boil. Men are also more likely to suffer from them than women.
How do I know if have boils?
- Red skin
- Painful bump
- Warm skin around the bump
- More boils may appear around the original boil
Seek a doctor’s care if you begin to notice:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Red streaks around the boil
- Pain becomes severe
- Boil does not drain
How can I prevent boils?
- Control primary diseases such as diabetes and anemia
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Keep yourself clean, wash with gentle, unscented soaps
- Keep away from harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin
How can I treat boils?
- Wash your hands every time you apply a treatment to the boil to keep from spreading the bacteria.
- Wash the area with warm water and gentle, unscented soap
- Apply a warm epsom salt compress for 30 minutes, three times a day, this will bring the boil to a head.
- Apply tea tree oil or colloidal silver externally to help kill off the bacteria.
- If the boil is open, clean it by pouring apple cider vinegar over it, then dilute with water and drink.
- Make a paste of garlic and onion and apply around the boil to help kill off bacteria.
- Place a thin slice of organic potato directly on the boil to help heal it.
- Eat foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. They all help boost the immune system and clean out bacteria.
