A boil, or furuncle, is a skin disease caused by an infection of hair follicles that results in localized accumulation of pus and dead tissue. An individual will see a round inflammation of the internal skin layers or hair. And, if it is deep, there will also be blood vessels at the core. Boils are not a pleasant experience, but at some point in our lives most of us will suffer from one.
Basically a boil is a deep infection in the skin that almost looks like a really big zit. The most commonly held belief is that boils are caused by a clogged sweat gland or hair follicle that becomes infected. People with suppressed immune systems are often more likely to get boils. This includes patients who are on medications such as cortizone, prednisone, medications used by cancer patients or patients who have diabetes.
The most common places that boils occur are on the scalp, face, under the arms or around the buttocks. They are often caused by Staphylococcus and rarely by poor hygiene. In fact, if you are at a high risk for developing boils, you can get them no matter how clean you are. Boils are also exceptionally contagious because of the bacteria which grows in them. So, if pus leaks from the boil and spreads to the nearby area as it can cause more boils. Pus can also enter the bloodstream and spread the infection to other parts of the body.
If an individual has multiple boils the condition is called carbuncles. These are unusually painful and require immediate medical attention. This is why it\’s very important to heal all boils as quickly as possible so that it will not spread from mishandling and you can end your suffering faster.
When treating boils naturally it is the essential to treat not only the infection but also the overall health and resistance of the body. If you suffer from boils frequently then you\’ll need a general assessment of your health, lifestyle and diet in order to decrease your risk factors. It is important to ensure that your diet contains plenty of fruits and vegetables and you increase your intake of vitamin C to assist in fighting the infection. Herbs that can help to boost the immune system include Echinacea and garlic, which is a great natural antibiotic.
Externally an individual can make a poultice of cabbage leaves to help draw the pus out of the boil. Do this by using a few of the inner leaves of a white cabbage. Wash them and dry them and remove the large ribs. Soften the leave by tapping them with a rolling pin and place the leaves on the affected area, over the boil. Hold them in place with loose bandages and leave them in place for thirty minutes. You can replace them every 30 minutes for a couple of hours.
Garlic and onions have also proven to be effective for boil treatments. Onion juice or parsley juice can be applied to the boil externally which will help to ripen the boil so the pus can be evacuated. Juices of both onions and garlic can be mixed in equal quantity, used and applied to the boil. Cumin seeds are equally as beneficial and should ground to a paste in water and applied. Individuals may also find positive results from using turmeric powder. Roast a few dry roots, dissolves in a cup full of water and apply over the affected area.
If the boil is large or forming an abscess you will want to see your physician to have it removed under a local anesthetic. They will first numb the area and allow the pus to drain. The area will be packed with gauze and antiseptic to allow drainage but discourages bacterial growth.