Boils, or furuncles, are pus-filled bumps caused by bacteria infecting your hair follicles. They start out as red, tender lumps, and grow larger and more painful until they either rupture and drain or are reabsorbed by your body. The Mayo Clinic advises against lancing or squeezing boils, and warns that you should call your doctor if the boil is extremely painful, lasts longer than two weeks, or if fever is present. If your facial boil is small--less than 1/2 an inch in diameter--you can treat it with home remedies.
Step 1
Squeeze 2 tbsp. of juice from a fresh onion. Use a cotton ball to swab the juice onto the boil three times a day. There is some scientific research supporting the use of onion as an antibacterial agent. In a study conducted at Ebonyi State University in Nigeria and published in the 2007 issue of "The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine," researchers found that onion juice showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria responsible for boils.
Step 2
Prepare a cup of black tea. Let the teabag cool off enough so it can safely be applied to your skin, then lie down and position the teabag over the boil, leaving it in place for 15 minutes. Repeat the treatment three times a day.
Step 3
Soak a piece of bread in 4 oz. of warm milk, and apply it directly to the boil. Leave it in place for 15 minutes, and repeat the treatment three times a day. According to Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and the author of "The Honest Herbal," some people find relief from the discomfort of boils with this remedy, which acts as a moist compress to help bring the boil to a head.
Step 4
Dissolve 1 tsp. of turmeric powder in 8 oz. warm water, and drink it, followed by two glasses of water. According to Christina's Home Remedies, turmeric--also called haldi--is an Ayurvedic home remedy that works as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. There is some scientific research supporting the belief in turmeric's antimicrobial qualities. In a clinical study conducted at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in Bushehr, Iran, and published in the November 5, 2008 issue of the "African Journal of Biotechnology," researchers found that curcumin--the principle element of turmeric--was effective on a variety of bacterial strains, including S. aureus.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tbsp. fresh onion juice
- Cotton ball
- Teabag, steeped
- 1 slice bread
- 4 oz. warm milk
- 1 tsp. turmeric powder
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