Boils, or furuncles, are pus-filled, painful bumps that form under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame hair follicles. Boils are caused by the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, reports Medline Plus, and begin as tender red lumps. These lumps quickly fill up with pus, enlarging further and becoming more painful, until they rupture. Although boils usually heal on their own, when they last more than two weeks or are associated with fever, treatment by a health care provider is warranted.
Step 1
See your doctor. If your boil is large, painful or if you feel ill, see your doctor. He will drain your boil by incising the tip. Lancing the boil reduces pain, aids in healing and reduces scarring risk. Deep or severe boils that cannot be thoroughly drained will be covered with a sterile gauze patch so pus can continue draining, states MayoClinic.com. Severe or recurrent infection will require oral antibiotic therapy to heal the mass and prevent systemic infection.
Step 2
Apply warm compresses. Warm, moist compresses encourage boils to drain and speed healing, explains MedlinePlus. You should gently soak the affected area with a moist, warm cloth a few times a day. In addition, always use a fresh compress to avoid recontaminating the area.
Step 3
Wash your hands after touching the lesion. To prevent further spread of infection, boils that are draining should be frequently cleaned, but you must maintain meticulous hygiene. If you fail to wash your hands after treating your boil, you risk spreading infectious material to other areas such as your eyes.
Step 4
Apply an antibiotic ointment. Per directions on the package, apply an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment to your boil and cover it with a bandage notes MayoClinic.com. Antibacterial ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin are effective in resolving bacterial skin infections; however, if you experience adverse reactions, such as itching or increased redness, discontinue use and alert your doctor.
Step 5
Apply tea tree oil. Extracted from Australian tea tree leaves, tea tree oil might help relieve pain and speed healing. MayoClinic.com advises applying tea tree oil to the boil several times a day. Although usually well tolerated, tea tree oil can cause an allergic reaction in certain people, so if you experience any such reaction, discontinue use and call your health care provider.
Tips and Warnings
- Take an anti-inflammatory medication. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can reduce swelling and pain. If you are taking other medications, or have preexisting medical conditions, check with your doctor to make sure anti-inflammatory medications are not contraindicated.
- If your boil infection is accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, weakness or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention. You might have a systemic infection that will warrant swift evaluation and treatment .
Things You'll Need
- Doctor
- Oral antibiotics
- Warm compresses
- Antibacterial ointment
- Bandages
- Tea tree oil
