Boils -- infected hair follicles that form painful, swollen pustules -- are the most common variety of staph infection. Staph infections pose a serious public health threat in hospitals, where antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause difficult-to-treat infections that spread among patients. The essential mineral selenium is not a common or recommended treatment for boils or other staph infections. However, scientific advances in nanotechnology may one day produce a form of selenium that will kill staph bacteria and help treat boils.
Boils
Boils are usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, although other bacteria or fungi can be involved. Boils are common, and susceptibility to these skin infections seems to run in families. You also may be prone to boils if you are diabetic, have an immune system disorder, if your skin is exposed to any kind of grease or oil, or if you cannot bathe regularly. A single boil is called a furuncle, while a compound boil that includes multiple furuncles is called a carbuncle.
Treatment
Small, uncomplicated boils may resolve without treatment or respond to hot, moist compresses, but others require antibiotics or draining. Seek medical attention if you have a boil on your spine or face, if the boil is large or painful, if it doesn't heal within two weeks or if you have a fever. Don't try to drain or pop a boil on your own, as this can make the infection worse. Alternative treatments for boils commonly include goldenseal root, supplementation with zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C, and topical treatments containing essential oils such as tea tree and lavender. To avoid spreading the S. aureus bacteria, wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing towels and washcloths.
Selenium and the Immune System
While selenium doesn't specifically treat boils or staph infections, it may provide general immune-system support. Selenium deficiency is uncommon in the U.S., but if you are selenium deficient, correcting the problem may help your body fight off bacterial infections and other immune-system challenges. If you're not selenium deficient, taking additional supplemental selenium may still modestly enhance your immune system's functioning. Use caution while taking supplemental selenium, because overdoses are toxic. Adults shouldn't take more than 400 micrograms of selenium per day. Check with your doctor before self-treating boils or other medical conditions with supplemental selenium.
Selenium Nanoparticles
A 2011 research study published in the "International Journal of Nanotechnology" found a promising new use for minuscule particles of selenium called nanoparticles. The researchers created selenium particles smaller than 100 nanometers in length. In test tubes, the nanoparticles exerted strong antibiotic properties against S. aureus by preventing it from reproducing. Though the research is preliminary, nanoselenium may one day be a viable treatment for S. aureus infections and boils.
References
- Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Boils
- International Journal of Nanomedicine: Selenium Nanoparticles Inhibit Staphylococcus Aureus Growth
- Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Staphylococcal Infections
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Boils -- All Information
- Linus Pauling Institute: Selenium
- Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Boils
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