Home Remedies for Abscesses and Boils
WARNING: This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.
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Abscesses and Boils Home Remedies:
Submitted by Blaster at 2011-12-31 23:57:24
I've been suffering from boils on my butt for almost 15 years now. I went through a very stressful situation a few months ago and broke out with a topical yeast infection from my groin up to my neck (it spread like wildfire!). The doctor gave me a prescription for Nystatin. It cleared up the yeast infection and I also discovered it cleared up the boils. I've read that boils can be caused by an overgrowth of candida and I think that's what I had going on. I started using organic apple cider vinegar because it's supposed to be very tough on candida and it's inexpensive. I just take a cotton ball soaked with the apple cider vinegar after I bathe. I haven't had an outbreak in months and I used to get them almost weekly. Hope this helps!
rating: 6 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2008-04-26 22:38:25
Get TEA TREE oil soak a cotton ball with it cover the boil. Cover that with a gauze pad and tape it over the boil. It will give instant relief from pain and draw out the poison. It usually busts in a day then just squeeze out the rest of the poison. I use this on diabetics.
rating: 5 (31 votes)
Submitted by Kate at 2011-06-11 01:21:55
I have had a boil growing for a least 3 weeks now. But it didn't have no head to it, so left it alone. Well Friday morning when I got home all I could do was cry. It hurt to move my whole right upper body.(boil under right armpit) I have always gotten small boils there. But anyway after a shower I applied a hot wash cloth for about 15 mins to maybe relieve some pain. It's the size of 2 golf balls and as deep as 1. Then I fell asleep, with the towel off. I woke up to find out it opened on its own and it was draining. I sat there for 20 mins pushing around the area and stuff was oozing out like crazy. Well after 24 hours its still draining and has barely went down in size. But I keep it bandage up with ointment. I change the pads every 2 hours cause its draining so much. but the pain relief this morning...it was awesome!!
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-06 09:12:14
Abreva, for cold sores and fever blisters worked wonderfully. Brought it out, dried it up. It just takes a little bit.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2011-10-22 11:27:31
All the advice I read here for boils is good. Some people also mentioned it working on acne also. Well if we look up what a boil is an abscess which simply put is an infection under the skin that the body has formed a hard protective layer around which most antibiotics can't touch until it softens or pops. Which at that point topicals really would be the most effective. Unless it is an MSRA staph infection which means serious medical attention. So I am not a doctor nor do I work in the medical field, but I have earned my street degree in abscess treatments. I am a long time intravenous drug user and if you google complications of being an iv drug user the first thing that pops up is abscesses, and being as us junkies are we don't go to a doctor unless we are promised lots of good dope, and we have learned that all they ever want to do is lance it and prescribe antibiotics that are very hard on your system. First an abscess is caused by something piercing your skin when it wasn't cleaned properly, I.E. a needle or even a splinter. Boils are where the infection came down through a hair follicle and a zit is just similar but not the same infections. The two most common infections are Staph and Strep which we carry on our skin all the time. So one of the first things we can do is the use of antibacterial soaps, any soaps will actually do as long as it's worked into a good enough lather, and that is prevention and cleaning of one that has already started. Now any of the draw out salves and topical compresses and even homemade teas you've read about here are very effective and can be treated at home. Now things to watch out for that mean get to the doctor immediately are fever, flu like symptoms, red streaks leading away from the boil, and home remedies have not improved it or gets worse over a course of a few weeks. And never ever squeeze them or rub on them especially when they are forming!!! The signs I talked about are signs of the infection has burst under the skin and is now entering your blood stream which can lead to a very fatal heart condition if not treated properly and quickly! In my experience and not just being my own as this is a common thing amongst junkies is as I had said all of the treatments listed here work and work better then being lanced, because anytime it is opened now that VERY INFECTIOUS puss is coming out and has to be contained! Anything with the warm moist compresses should be started at the very first signs. Personally I like the Epsom salt baths and very between making a Epsom salt compress and using the draw out salve. Dressings should be changed 3 or more times a day and washed with soap in between. I usually do the warm Epsom salt soak and compress throughout the day and then the draw out salve at night. Now I have heard of some people popping them as they come to a head but as said previously I think that just adds more risk of spreading a very infectious bacteria. So just let it pop on it's own and sometimes you never even see it pop or ooze stuff out, but the important thing at this stage as with before is consistency of cleaning area and applying clean fresh dressings ones that can breathe a little better after they pop and with enough absorbency to soak up all the gunk. Now also I did see some mention of diet change but only one vague mention of vitamin C. Which is very efective crushed and added to a poultice and even better if from the first signs of a boil or abscess start taking 2000 to 3000mg per day especially with bioflavonoids. There is a lot of evidence out there about the effects of these two together and clearing all sorts of skin conditions and protecting your heart in case it does leak into your bloodstream. Now after you can't see any more puss pockets, the white formations I continue with warm compresses of any kind I have had great success with the Epsom salt. And at night instead of the draw out salve I use Iodine and cover liberally all around the area. Then I put slices of fresh cold tomato over that with some cellophane and rolled gauze to keep it in place. The cold tomato juices help clear out more infection and feel very nice over the burning of the Iodine. After just a few nights of that it really then just becomes wound dressing with Bacitracin liberally absorbent gauze and breathable rolled gauze changed and washed with anytype of washing, but soap and water is really the best. And don't forget to scrub hard get all that dead infectious skin and puss off. Use paper towels to dry or wash the towel you used in bleach right after everytime. Change it and wash it three to four times a day. Be patient because they really take along time up to 6 months in some cases to go away completely but once you see the white puss part is gone you know the worst is over, except it does get quite itchy at times, but that's a good reminder to stay on top of it because it is still very infectious to others and yourself!! I was never a believer in home remedies until I got an abscess and I'd seen the horror and torture of most times repeated lancing and treatment with hardcore antibiotics that make the body very ill and other complications and harm! To where now days a lot of doctors are starting to recommend home treatments before medical intervention. Just watch out for the previously mentioned signs of it spreading into bloodstream because then they will turn deadly fast!!!
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Loribh1 at 2008-05-10 18:26:05
This is one of the best tips Ive ever got. Use Campho-Phenique Gel only on them. You will be surprised at how fast it rupture. Then go to the doctor and get Bactrim medication. Since Ive done this I havent had not a one. Yay
rating: 5 (31 votes)
Submitted by Anne at 2011-05-25 01:07:57
For several days I used hot/warm compresses and carefully cleaned the abscess and surrounding area with hot water,under my armpit. I even once used a slice of potato, suggested as a home remedy (it didn't work). After about 10 days the abscess came to a head and it was very sore but had not popped. I went to Boots pharmacy (UK) and was advised to use Magnesium sulphate (paste form)to draw it out. I used it that evening and in the morning I noticed there was no longer any soreness. On going to the bathroom the whole area had changed into a white coloured sac. Wondering what I should then do, the abscess almost immediately started to drain itself.
I suggest having plenty of swabs/cotton pads at the ready to clean it up, it smells foul. However what an immediate relief after all of that pain and stinging. I then dabbed the area clean with hydrogen peroxide 6%/30 vol (not the hair strength form) to make sure the area is very clean and bacteria free, and have protected the area with a large plaster, although gauze might be better, so that the small wound, which is left can heal.
Magnesium sulphate is extremely quick, and cheap! I am so grateful to the Boots pharmacy advisor for recommending it and if I ever get another abscess or boil, and hopefully not, then I would use it far sooner.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by carol at 2011-09-23 10:41:18
I just want to tell everyone out there that suffers from boils does not have to any more . Recently I had two boils one on my side and another under my breast kind of embarrassing place for one well thee one on my side was doing well but the one under my breast was not I tried tea tree oil that wasn't helping I tried hydrocortisone that wasn't helping at this time it was very painful and I thought I even noticed a red line coming from the area I was to embarrassed to go to the doctors and I was desperate then I heard the turmeric cures (drinking one teaspoon turmeric withwater 3 times daily ,and making a paste of tumeric with water and puting it on the boil ) I tried doing both its not easy drinking it but I did and I put the paste on my boil then put some gauze on to cover it well if this didn't work I was going to go to my doctor and have it taken care of well the night after I put the paste on the boil I felt a stinging and I checked it out and it had burst thank god for that , so for anyone that suffers from boils please try the turmeric first nothing else worked for me tumeric really works great it really does
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2006-01-30 18:37:24
Take a slice of peeled potato(about 1 in. thick) and place it over the abcess or boil and secure it there with tape. Leave it on there for a couple hours and it will pull the poison out. You can see the poisons on the potato. It works, I swear.
rating: 5 (75 votes)
Submitted by Amanda at 2007-12-21 23:52:26
If you soak a wash cloth in hot water, then apply it to the boil for at least 5 minutes or until its cool it will bring the boil to a head, then squeeze it or puncture it to let it drain, if the wash cloth dosent make it come to a head right away, try it again! trust me it always works.
rating: 5 (66 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
B-complex, lecithin, and zinc will defend against future sores.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by amy at 2011-09-02 18:25:30
Ok B0iLS :/ grrrrr... I HATE THEM and after reading every body's remedies and stories I decided to tell u somethng honestly there's not much u can do ethier way if u do a home remedie u still have to go thru the pain and the steps of a boil the best thiing to do is wait it out I kno it sux but if u DON'T mess with them or touch or mash push watever u do it WILL get better the more u push when its not ready the more infected it will become and the more harm u could do but once it starts to drain u can roll the infection out but once u see. Blood STOP then clean it put triple antibiotic ointment on a bandaid and just keep doing that untill its eventually done. Its really not that bad if u don't mess with it! Thouigh these remedies are very interesting and some do help but ethier way u still have to go thru the steps best luck to all trust me I kno it suxx!
God bless
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Apply wintergreen oil, cayenne extract, or a strong comfrey root tea. This will help bring the affected area to a head and aid in drying and mending the abscess or boil.
rating: 5 (31 votes)
Submitted by healthandgarden at 2011-07-31 14:36:48
Over the years I have had these in the buttocks area a few times, but this year I had 3 -- it was a very stressful year for me and I also put on some weight. I do believe poor circulation is related to this problem. What always works for me is soaking the area for 20 minutes in hot water with epsom salts. While you are in the water, you often can squeeze it using a cloth so the infectious drainage does not get into the water when it bursts. If not, repeat the soaking 12-24 hours later and try again. Once it opens, repeat the soak again to help clean out any remaining material. Also rub castor oil on the boil and surrounding area before and after it drains. Castor oil will clear out the infection in the surrounding tissues if you keep applying it for several days after it bursts. I also suggest cleaning with peroxide and applying Neosporin on the first day or two after it bursts. I do not think you should bandage a drainage, it is better to leave this kind of wound open and clean.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-09-22 21:02:16
To every one out there that suffers from having boils I just want to say I found some very very interesting info , (Manuka honey) with as much info on this product that claims to help stop staph,MRSA it is worth looking up
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2007-07-07 18:28:26
To make a boil pop get a vitamin E oil capsule, break it and apply it to the boil. Trust me, it works!
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Apply a cloth soaked in one part lobelia and three parts mullein in warm water to bring the affected area to a head. Puncture lightly with a sterilized needle, and wash gently. Garlic oil will help defend against infection. Apply vitamin E oil twice a day to speed the healing process.
rating: 4 (24 votes)
Submitted by Danielle at 2011-06-20 01:21:09
I have had 2 lanced and many others. Doctors said first one was some kind of spider or insect bite. Anyways, my point is that I have tried so many different things. Hot compress does help, but I have found that drawing sav is the best. It has a name, but I don't know it. I always tell the pharmacy I need drawing sav. It looks like tar and stinks. But it WORKS!!! Put it over the area cover it with gauze and usually within a day it opens up. Of then you have to squeeze the junk out and then the hot compress then also cause it soothes the pain some. Once the yuck starts coming out though so much relief you don't mind the squeezing! People who don't get them often may judge, but it doesnt mean your not clean or full of toxics! I've tried the potato thing and it has never worked for me. I swear by the drawing sav!!!
rating: 4 (20 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Drink comfrey root tea to aid in healing.
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by Linda at 2008-07-20 13:42:11
Put Dreft (baby laundry detergent) into a bath and soak up to an hour.
This brings it to a head to drain.
rating: 3 (21 votes)
Submitted by Ron Benefield at 2009-10-26 15:24:47
Not sure on this one but strongly suspect boils are a way one of the elimination organs, the skin uses to get rid of toxins. Boils indicates a toxic body. Detox the body and eliminate the boils.
rating: 3 (33 votes)
Submitted at 2008-06-22 14:56:32
For an abscess (or extreme spider bites) Try a dry out salve! It does exist!
Just apply some to a gauze pad and place (DON'T PUSH) it over an abscess. Leave it for a few hours and you'll see the drainage.
rating: 3 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2011-01-21 16:45:50
I have found that every time I get an abscess or a boil applying a thin piece of fatback (available at most grocery stores) works wonders! I had a very very painful one a few days ago and after applying the fatback and leaving it overnight it had opened and started draining by morning. Just use a large bandage to keep it in place and catch the drainage.
rating: 3 (28 votes)
Submitted by J. Thomas at 2010-10-18 18:12:39
Mix dry mustard with a bit of water, just into a paste. Apply paste to affected area and cover. Abscess/boil will come to a head with in a day or two. Can use store bought prepared mustard, but dry mustard seems to work better and faster.
rating: 2 (20 votes)
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