How Can I Get Rid of a Boil?
Boils are painful red skin infections which are caused by bacteria under the skin. There are a number of bacteria which can be responsible for boils, and they can form around small cuts or nicks, hair follicles, or seemingly randomly. There are a assortment of ways to get rid of boils, but you should remember that some boils may require medical attention; if a boil grows or becomes extremely painful, please see a doctor for lancing and a bacterial culture!
The first step to get rid of boils is preventing them in the first place. Infectious bacteria take advantage of less than ideal hygiene, so make sure to keep your skin clean and clear. If you cut yourself, clean the cut well and use a mild antibacterial soap to fend off any unwanted visitors. Try not to wear tight, uncomfortable clothing which can irritate your skin and make it vulnerable to infection, and if you spot the start of a boil, treat it as soon as you can.
To get rid of boils once they form, use warm, moist compresses to help draw the source of the infection out and soothe the skin. Do not puncture your boils, as this can lead to a spread of the infection and more pain or irritation. You should also try to avoid picking at your boils; if you have trouble remembering not to pick, put a piece of adhesive tape over the boil to make it harder to scratch. In addition, wash the region around the boil with antibacterial soup to help keep it clean.
Once a boil bursts, you may see some pus. Wash the site of the boil gently with warm water and soap, and keep it clean until the wound heals. After you get rid of boils, the area might be a little bit irritated or raw for awhile; take vitamin E and A supplements to promote the regrowth of healthy fresh skin in the area. You can also rub topical vitamin E oil on the site to ease irritation.
If you try to get rid of boils and they get bigger, or they become hard and hot, you need to see a doctor. A doctor can use sterile procedures to get of boils, typically by piercing them with a small blade and expressing the infection inside. The doctor might also take a culture to determine which bacteria is causing the infection, and an antibiotic can be prescribed to help you fight it.
Incidentally, if you'd like to impress people with your boil terminology at dinner parties, a carbuncle is a group of boils which has clustered together, and a furnucle is a boil which has infected a hair follicle. Furnucles can be especially painful, and you will usually notice them in the early stages.
Written by S.E. Smith
