Boils generally develop as a result of an infected hair follicle or oil gland. The skin around the infected follicle or gland will become red and tender, to begin with, forming into a lump after around four to seven days.

Boils are most common on the face, neck, shoulders, buttock, and even under the armpits. If you have several boils form in one place, this is called a carbuncle and could be a little more difficult to treat.

Thankfully, these home remedies should help to tackle your boils and decrease their size and soreness.

Home Remedies for Boils

1. Apply Heat

Heat increases the circulation to a specific area, drawing more white blood cells to the site of infection. This means that more antibodies are drawn to the area and can help it to heal faster. Applying a warm compress to your boil for twenty minutes at a time should help to reduce its size. Repeat every day until the boil disappears entirely.

 

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is known for its strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. This means it can help to treat the bacterial infection that has been causing the boil and reduce some of the swellings. You should avoid applying it directly to the skin though as it can be irritating. Instead, add a few drops to some coconut oil and apply this to the boil using a cotton pad. You can find out more about the health benefits of tea tree oil in our recent article.  

 

3. Turmeric Powder

Turmeric powder is a home remedy we’ve discussed a lot and you can find out more about all it’s health benefits in our Health Benefits of Turmeric article. It has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can help reduce the soreness and swelling of a boil and get rid of it quickly. You can either inject turmeric or create a paste with it and apply it topically, Either method will help to heal your boil.

 

4. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is great for helping you to relax, but it also has some other health benefits too. It’s actually a great home remedy for boils. The salts help to dry out the pus that fills boils and helps them to drain. You can dissolve some Epsom salt in warm water and then make a warm compress. Use the compress as you would an ordinary warm compress and over time you’ll see the boil go down.

 

5. Castor Oil

Castor oil contains a specific compound called ricinoleic acid, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also has antibacterial properties which makes it a great home remedy for boils. You can apply the oil directly to your boil three times a day.

6. Neem Oil

This type of essential oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help treat boils and other skin infections. Like with castor oil, you can apply neem oil directly to the boil to help treat it.

7. Onion

Chop some raw onion into thick slices and attach it to your boil using clean gauze or bandages. Leave this on for one hour a day and you should see the swelling of your boil reduce.

 

8. Garlic

Crush some fresh garlic to extract its juices. You can then apply this juice to the boil for ten to thirty minutes every day.

 

9. Goatweed Oil

Goatweed oil or extract can be applied directly to your boils, reducing their soreness and swelling.  

 

10. Avoid Squeezing

You should never squeeze or pierce a boil yourself. This increase the risk of spreading the infection and could cause more boils to develop.

 

11. Prevent Contamination

Washing your hands and practicing good hygiene is a great way to prevent your infection from spreading. This will prevent further boils from developing. You should also make sure to clean any towels or bedding that have come into contain with the infected area.

12. Cornmeal

While it doesn’t contain any specific medicinal qualities, cornmeal is a great absorbent. This means it can help to drain boils and this reduces their size and tenderness. Boil half a cup of water and add some cornmeal, making a thick paste. Apply this to your boil and cover it with a cloth. Reapply the paste every couple of hours. The boil should then come to a head and drain.

 

13. Jelly Jars

Using a jelly jar to create suction around your boil is an effective home remedy. Boil a cup of water in a jelly jar. Once cooled, pour out the water and place the jar over your boil. It will need to still be a little warm in order to create the suction. The suction will draw blood to the boil, making sure antibodies and white blood cells reach the infected area.  

 

14. Bacon

The high fat and salt content in smoked bacon can help to bring a boil to a head. This, in turn, can help to speed up its treatment and help drain the boil. Roll a slice of bacon in some salt and sandwich it between two pieces of clean cloth. You should then place the cloth over the boil and repeat throughout the day. This is a great home remedy for boils but it can get messy so be prepared for plenty of cleaning.

 

15. Eggs

Egg whites make a great home remedy for boils. Simply boil an egg, peel it and wet the solidified whites. You can then secure the egg whites to your boil using a cloth or bandage.

 

16. Milk

Heat a cup of milk over your stove and add 3 teaspoons of salt at intervals. If you add the salt all at once or too quickly, you’ll curdle the milk. Let your mixture simmer for ten minutes before adding flour or crumbled bread. Divide your mixture into around four parts. Apply one part every half hour. This will help to treat your boil.

17. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is great for stimulating blood circulation. This helps your white blood cells get to the source of infection and fight it quicker. It has a nice sweet taste too and can be added to hot water for drinking.

 

18. Practice Good Hygiene

Whilst it’s wise to make sure you practice good hygiene to help treat your boil and prevent new ones, this doesn’t mean you have to go overboard on antibacterial soaps. Many of these won’t actually help once the boil has formed because the infection will be too deep for the soap to reach. Instead, once your boil has formed wash the affected area twice a day with warm soapy water. You can also try a warm compress as we mentioned earlier.  You should also avoid sharing washcloths with anyone who has a boil as this could help to spread the infection.

 

19. Cut Out the Sugar

The foods we eat play a huge role in our general health. So, it’s no surprise that eating too much of the bad stuff could be behind your boils. Try cutting out excess sugars from your diet to help reduce existing boils and prevent new ones developing.

 

20. Proper Wound Care

Cleaning minor cuts or scratches properly is another great way to prevent boils from forming. Having an open wound can leave you open to infections and allow bacteria to get under your skin. Clean and treat your wounds properly and you’ll cut this risk of infection, cutting down the risk of boils with it.

 

21. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar his well-known for its antibacterial properties. It can also help rebalance the pH levels on your skin. Both of these factors make it a great home remedy for boils. Soak a cotton wool pad in some apple cider vinegar and apply it to your boil for around ten minutes. Repeat this at least twice a day, using a fresh cotton pad each time.

22. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel has a great many health benefits. One of these benefits is its ability to help heal boils in just a few days. Apply some aloe gel to your boil and least twice a day and in just a few days you should notice an improvement. The gel will also relieve some of the pain and swelling of your boil with its antiseptic qualities.

23. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is often used to reduce pimples and spots, but did you know it’s great for boils too? It will absorb the fluid inside your boil to help it burst faster so that it drains quicker. Apply a little toothpaste directly to your boil and reapply throughout the day.

 

24. Black Seed Oil

Adding about half a teaspoon of black seed oil to your drink can make a great home remedy for boils. This is because black seed oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which can help target boils, heal them and reduce swelling.

 

25. Potatoes

Potatoes actually have a number of compounds which give it antibacterial properties. Peel and grate a potato and squeeze out its juices. You can then apply these juices directly to your boil and let it soak in for three minutes. Rinse any excess juice off after those three minutes and repeat this process three times a day.

Which of these home remedies are you most likely to use the next time you get a boil? Comment below!

References

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/home-remedies-on-how-to-get-rid-of-boils-on-the-inner-thighs/

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/boils

https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-boils#when-to-see-your-doctor

https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-boils1.htm

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319939.php

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-bothersome-boils/

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2tojxpKuM