A boil is a red, raised bump that is filled with pus and bacteria. A boil usually develops from an infected hair follicle or pore when a pimples or ingrown hair remains untreated. Boils can become very painful and large, leading to cosmetic and recovery concerns. The treatment of a boil depends on its severity and location. Larger recurring boils are normally treated in a physician's office, while smaller single-instance boils can be treated at home.
Step 1
Apply one drop of tea tree oil to the boil after bathing, until the boil has healed, as advised by MotherNature.com. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that kills bacteria and clears follicles and pores while promoting skin healing.
Step 2
Eat foods containing vitamin A and zinc. Foods that are excellent sources of vitamin A and zinc are fruits and vegetables with a natural yellow and orange color such as squash, yams and carrots, according to Allan Magaziner, D.O., in "New Choices in Natural Healing." Vitamin A and zinc promote skin healing while providing relief from boil symptoms, reducing the pressure of the underlying pus pockets.
Step 3
Apply a hot compress to the boil for up to five minutes; then apply a cold compress for 30 to 60 seconds. Alternate the applications several times per day. This will bring the boil to a head and reduce inflammation. The boil will break open and drain once it has come to a head, so make sure to wear clothing that you don't mind getting stained by the drainage.
Step 4
Drink vegetable juices twice daily. According to Eve Campanelli, PhD, holistic family practitioner, drinking these juices once in the morning and again in the afternoon will stimulate the liver, speeding up the elimination of toxins. Toxin removal will cause the boil to shrink and be reabsorbed into the body.
Step 5
Take oral antibiotics as directed by your physician. Oral antibiotics are used to treat some boils, in a 10 to 14 day course of treatment, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. This will treat the boil by killing off the bacteria and easing inflammation. Make sure to finish the entire course of antibiotic treatment to ensure that the boil will not return.
Things You'll Need
- Tea tree oil
- Foods rich in vitamin A and zinc
- Hot and cold compresses
- Vegetable juices
- Oral antibiotics
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