A boil, or furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops beneath your skin when one or more of your hair follicles becomes infected, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These bumps grow until they ultimately rupture and drain. Although anyone can get a boil, people with acne or dermatitis are prone to developing them. Home remedies and self-care usually can effectively treat a boil.
Characteristics
Boils tend to appear abruptly. They are usually ½- to ¾-inch in diameter, according to the Mayo Clinic. Boils may cause the surrounding skin to become red and inflamed. A group of boils that form together under the skin is called a carbuncle.
Considerations
As a boil fills with pus and dead tissue, it may look and feel like a small water-filled balloon. Boils that develop in the nose or ears can be especially painful. The discomfort typically subsides when the boil drains. It usually takes about two weeks for a boil to completely disappear.
Warm Compress
You may expedite rupturing of the boil by applying a warm compress or washcloth to it for about 10 minutes several times a day, according to the Mayo Clinic. Soaking the compress in warm salt water may help the boil burst and drain more rapidly.
Keep It Clean
Gently wash your boil two to three times a day. The Mayo Clinic says once clean, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic and cover the boil with a bandage. Dressings should be changed often and immediately discarded in a tightly closed bag. Make sure you wash your hands after treating a boil. Taking these precautions will help reduce the chances of spreading infection.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil may help diminish pain caused by a boil and promote healing when applied several times per day. Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It has been used for hundreds of years as an antifungal agent, antibiotic and antiseptic. Be aware that tea tree oil may cause an allergic reaction such as allergic contact eczema and dermatitis, according to Drugs.com.
Devil's Claw
Devil's claw may help to heal boils, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Devil's claw is a shrub native to southern Africa. It is believed to contain anti-inflammatory properties. Devil's claw generally has few side effects. When taken in high doses, however, it may cause mild gastrointestinal issues.
Precautions
Contact your doctor if a boil persists longer than two weeks, appears to heal and then returns or is causing a fever or severe pain, says the National Institutes of Health. Large or deep boils may have to be surgically drained by a health care professional. The NIH warns not to cut open or squeeze a boil at home. This can cause it to spread and worsen the infection.
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