Best Boils Treatment

Archive for January, 2010

Apple Cider Vinegar Cure for Boils – How to Treat Painful Boils naturally and Say Goodbye to them

Although the apple cider vinegar cure for boils is an alternate treatment, but that does not make it any less significant.

Apple cider vinegar, commonly known as cider vinegar, is prepared by crushing organically grown apples. It is quite popular and widely used to cure a whole lot of ailments including boils, acne etc.

The natural cider vinegar is considered to be more effective than the refined one due to the presence of minerals and enzymes which are lost in the refined ones as they are filtered and over processed.

The natural cider vinegar is an effective cure for boils.  Acne boils are common amongst teenagers because of the excessive production of sebum which is a natural skin lubricant. The sebum clogs the skin pores, resulting in black heads and white heads. If these types of acne are left unattended, they may get infected.

The reasons why the apple cider vinegar cure for boils is popular are as follows:

1. The skin needs an acid cover to maintain a glow as well as curb the bacterial growth on its surface. However, the alkaline nature of harsh soaps removes this cover. Natural Cider Vinegar has an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7. It thereby helps in keeping a check on bacterial growth.
2. Some times boils are formed on the skin as a result of a deficiency of some minerals in the blood. The apple cider vinegar helps in infusing minerals into the bloodstream, thereby reducing pimples, boils etc.
3. The apple cider vinegar helps in dissolving the deposits of fats on the skin because it contains alpha- hydroxyl acids. It also removes the roughness in the skin thereby promoting a smooth look.
4. It minimizes the clogging of the pore on the skin which also helps in checking the growth of boils.
5. If acne has been triggered by the presence of toxins in the body due to lack of a healthy diet, then apple cider vinegar cure for boils comes to one’s rescue. It is an excellent detoxifying agent. It helps in cleaning the body of all the harmful toxins which cause boils.
6. It is a skin detoxifying agent too and it helps in cleansing the skin thereby reducing the eruption of pimples, boils etc.
7. Cider vinegar is a natural agent for treating acne boils which may otherwise need medicines and antibiotics. Hence, it eliminates the problems of side effects which result from the use of some drugs.
8. Since acne boils result from the bacterial infection in the clogged skin pores, apple cider vinegar helps in curbing acne as it kills the bacteria. Moreover, it absorbs the excessive oil produced in the skin which also reduces acne boils.

Before one starts applying the cider vinegar, it is advisable find out whether one’s skin is allergic to it or not. A simple test by applying a little cider vinegar below the chin may help one understand whether it would be suitable as a treatment or not. If the skin does not react it implies that it would be suitable.

Although it can be used directly but if seems to be too strong for the skin then it can be diluted with water.

Taking it orally as a general health tonic has proven beneficial for curing acne boils.

Boils Infection Explained in a Comprehensive Way to Treat Them in an Apt Way sans Complications

Boils infection are brought about by the bacterial colonization in the hair follicle. The main culprit in boils infection are the bacteria named staphylococci. Our skin does not allow the infiltration of germs from the environment in normal circumstances. But some times it so happens that minor cuts and wounds give these bacteria a point through which they can creep into the skin. Apart from external reasons, these bacteria also get a chance to thrive within the sin due to internal reasons.

In the case of cystic acne, which is a recurrence of boils especially during the teens, the bacteria gather in the hair follicle due to clogged pores. The skin has a number of microscopic openings through which it breathe freely. During adolescence, the increased hormonal activities results in stimulants which increase the production of oil in the skin. In normal circumstances, this oil is produced by the sebaceous glands to keep the skin soft and supple. However, when the production increases, the excess oil needs a channel to release itself. These channels or the skin pores if kept clean, can allow the oil to secrete normally. The skin also needs to renew itself simultaneously by shedding off the old one. This process, also known as sloughing goes on in different individuals in different ways. In some sloughing takes place unevenly. This causes the old, dead skin tissues to accumulate beneath the skin. This extra, dead skin clogs the skin pores somewhat like a bottle cork. Due to this the oils which has to be secreted, remains under the skin for long. It sticks together with the dead skin tissues and forms a bump. Boils infection begins quietly beneath the skin. It is visible on the skin’s surface only after a couple of weeks.

The boils infection treatment must be started before things go awry. It is also necessary to understand the different types of boils because they call for a different way of handling. A boil on the eyelid is called a stye whereas the one which occurs on the hips is referred to as pilonidal cysts. A boil which infects a single hair follicle is called a furuncle, where as a group of inter connected furuncles are called carbuncles. These boils are more complex than the furuncles as they are much more deep seated and may reach up to the subcutaneous tissues. They discharge the necrotic or dead tissues and sanguineous pus.

Some boils occur in the groin or armpit region due to a skin disorder called hidradenitis suppurativa. The cystic acne boils are a serious form of infection. They affect young people mostly and are the outcome of pores choked by sebum, dirt etc.

The best way to cure a boil at home is by applying heat on it. Heat increases the amount of blood which enters the boil area by improving the blood circulation. This brings in more white blood cells or fighters of the body to eradicate the infection. White blood cells are part of the body’s defense system and are immediately sent to the troubled area to remove the foreign objects. Foreign particles may include infected splinters, wood pieces as well as the bacteria which intrude into the skin from outside. The body purges the infected part with the help of its defense system comprising of the white blood cells.

The boils are treated by antibiotics and lancing. If they are not complex ones like carbuncles or recurring ones like hidradenitis suppurativa, they can be treated at home also.

Home remedies include the use of certain herbs and poultices. The herbs are widely used since ages due to their therapeutic properties. Some kill bacteria while some prevent inflammation of the skin and infection.

The poultices are mainly applied to help the burst open by formation of a pustule or a head.

Certain measures need to be taken to prevent the occurrence of boil infection.

• Use of anti-bacterial face wash may prevent the hair follicles from contracting a bacterial infection.
• Skin tight clothing may look good but it leads to the chaffing of the skin. As the texture of skin is very delicate, constant friction and rubbing leads to tiny rupture which are big enough to let the bacteria invade the skin.
• Cuts and bruises also serve as a channel through which bacteria may enter the hair follicles. Therefore, the cuts should be washed with soap and water and antibiotic salves should be applied for further protection.
• Pilonidal cysts occur on the hip’s cleft due to prolonged sitting. They can be totally avoided by not applying pressure on the hip’s skin for long hours.

A complete guide to boil cures for a fast recovery and for avoiding complications

A boil or skin abscess occurs due to a number of reasons. By and large, boils are the outcome of localized infections caused by the bacteria named staphylococcus aurous. The bacteria enter the skin through minor cuts on the skin and accumulate in the hair follicles. There they multiply and cause infections. These skin infections begin with the infected area turning red and itchy. Later in pus forms in the boils.

If the boils are mild, then one need not seek medical treatment. Certain boils get treated naturally and subside after some time provided they are not pinched, squeezed or pressed in an attempt to cure them.

The pus filled boils are completely healed once they get lanced or drained. But for this a head or pustule needs to be formed on them. Without a head, draining a boil would not be of much use. It is only after the boil matures and becomes soft with pus that it can be cleaned.

In order to accelerate the ripening of the boil, a heat treatment is widely used as one of the boil cures. Cloth dipped in hot water is placed on the boils several times daily. This improves the blood circulation in the infected area. So, more white blood cells enter the infected region to eat up the bacteria. The white blood cells are sent to fight the infection as a natural defense mechanism of the body. The heat treatment helps the boil in reaching a stage where it can be drained. Once the pus starts oozing out, that area should be washed with an anti-bacterial soap to prevent the spread of infection. A medical ointment should be applied over the boil. It should be given a warm compress and cleaned a few times more before it gets completely healed. One should abstain from using needles etc to prick the boil to avoid further complications.

If the boil is large and painful, it is advisable to have it lanced by a doctor. He will begin the minor surgery with numbing the boil area with a local anesthetic. Later on, an incision is made on the skin. The pus comes out by itself or it may be extracted with the help of a tube. The doctor usually prescribes some antibiotics in case of a severe infection along with a blood test.

Certain symptoms imply that the infection is severe or has spread into the blood stream. Hence, if one observes red lines emerging around the boil, swelling in the lymph glands, a fever and chills along with the boil or a prominent red line over the boil, then it requires an immediate medical check up for a timely treatment.

Certain boils occur in places such as the nose and the lips area, making them quite risky. A little carelessness such as biting the lips may spread the bacterial infection to the brain or the blood stream.

Besides the heat treatment there are a number of home based boil cures which are convenient and make use of certain herbs which are well known for their therapeutic and anti- bacterial properties.

Some of the popular boil cures are as follows:

1. A betel nut leaf is mildly heated and pure castor oil is smeared on its surface. The leaf is then placed over the boil and tied. After a few applications, the boil bursts open.
2. Honey, well known for its anti-bacterial properties is applied over the infected area for quick recovery. It can also be mixed with oil. Fresh figs are soaked in the honey also to cure the boils
3. A slice of bread is added to boiling water. Once it gets soft, it should be removed and applied on the boil after it cools down to some extent.
4. Iodine is used to prevent the boil from aggravating.
5. A lemon which has been cut into a half is also used as it is one of the effective boil cures.

Since boils are contagious, they need to be handled with care. In case someone in the family has been suffering from recurrent boils, then the towels, bed sheets etc used by that person should be kept clean.

Cysts Boils – Their Different Categories, Treatments and How to Prevent Their Recurrence

Cysts can develop in any part of the human body irrespective of age. It is a like a pus filled pocket which is separated by the nearby tissues by a membrane. The causes of the formation of cysts are varied. They include tumors, genetic disorders, infections etc. It is also formed when the hair follicle gets ruptured.

The cysts are easily noticed when they occur beneath the skin as they form lumps. However if they are found in internal organs, they can be detected only via x-rays, CAT scans etc.

Cysts boils are different from simple boils as they have a membrane around them which makes it difficult for the topical medicines to penetrate their outer wall. The cysts boils feel like tender lumps filled with fluid just below the skin.

Cysts boils are of three types:

1. Pilonidal cysts
2. Sebaceous cysts.
3. Cystic acne

A pilonidal cyst is a fluid-filled cyst which occurs along the crease of the hips. The symptoms include an inflammation of the cysts boils and pain. The reason for its occurrence includes an ingrown hair which forms a cyst due to the localized infection. The other cause is an undue pressure applied to the hip region which causes tension in that area. This can be amply proved by the fact that a huge number of soldiers suffered from pilonidal cyst during the World War 11. Prolonged sitting posture while traveling in jeeps brought about the problem which required hospitalization. Hence, it is advisable to avoid sitting continuously during long journeys. Sitting in the same posture for prolonged hours causes this painful condition.

Initially the cysts boils show a symptom of an opening on the crease area of the hips only. However, if an infection occurs and a skin abscess is formed, then the following symptoms occur:

• Swelling on the lower spine area.
• The skin turns red and warm.
• Pain in the lower spine
• Pus oozing out from an opening in the skin,

If the cyst boils gets infected then it may be essential to have it lanced by a doctor. It is done by applying local anesthesia to numb the infected part followed by an incision on the skin. This gives an outlet to the trapped matter like pus, hair or other debris. The doctor may place gauze within the wound to allow the rest of the pus to ooze. After a few visits to the doctor’s chamber for redressing and removal of gauze, the wound gets clean and is covered to dry gradually.

Severe boils are treated by antibiotics to prevent the spreading of the infection as in cellulitis.

Sebaceous cyst boils are painless and movable lumps beneath the skin which should not be tampered with to avoid infection. The symptoms of an infection in these boils include tenderness and tension in that area accompanied with the discharge of pus from the boils. Sebaceous cyst boils usually wither away naturally. In cases where an infection starts, they should be removed surgically. The surgery should remove the whole sac.

An acne cyst is pus filled and looks like a nodule. One should avoid squeezing these cysts because if the bacteria present in these cysts spread to other organs or the blood stream, then blood infections like septicemia may occur. Unnecessary meddling with the boils may result in scarring and pits on skin which make the skin ugly and rough.

The doctors prescribe medicines to reduce the oil production in the skin. This helps in controlling the acne boils as they are triggered by an excessive sebum production in the skin.

One can prevent the recurrence of acne boils by following a healthy and hygienic eating regimen.

Boils are formed on the skin as a result of infection caused by the staph bacteria which enter the skin through a severe rash, minor cut etc. Any wound on the skin helps the bacteria from the outside environment to sneak inside. They accumulate in the hair follicle and cause an infection there. Besides the external reasons, boils can be formed as a result of various reasons such as a weak immune system, deficiency of vitamins and minerals, unhygienic surroundings, sharing of towels, bed sheet etc with an infected person, over active sebaceous glands etc.

Although the boils formed by these external and internal reasons can appear on any part of the body, yet they appear to be more concentrated in areas which are hairy and have friction. Some of them are mild which get cured naturally. There may be complication in certain boils if they are squeezed, pressed etc to burst them open. Such boils can spread to other area. Some of the boils disappear after they get drained and dried, but some reappear.

Boils differ in their size, nature, severity etc. On the basis of their reason of origin, they have been divided into different categories. They include furuncles, carbuncles, cystic acne, pilonidal cysts, eye boil or sty, hidradenitis suppurativa and folliculitis.

Hence, the boils cause is also different for different types of boils. Boils cause can be classified into the following categories:

Folliculitis which a localized infection of the hair follicle and resembles tiny, yellow pustules. These are caused by:

1. Continuous friction
2. Exposure to water
3. Occlusive make up and clothes
4. Trauma

Furuncles are more severe than folliculitis because they extend till the sebaceous glands. At the onset, they look like small and red nodules. Gradually they become painful and filled with pus. The factors that lead to the development of furuncles are as follows:

1. Obesity
2. Diabetes
3. Blood problems
4. Taking steroid pills.

Carbuncles are a cluster of furuncles which are more deep seated and reach up to the subcutaneous tissues. They tend to appear in regions which have a thick skin such as the nape of the neck. Its main cause is:

1. Bacterial infections caused by staphylococcus aurous.

Eye styes are also called hordeolum. It is formed in the follicle of an eye lash or the oil gland of the eyelid. The main causes why styes develop are as follows:

1. Clogged eyelid glands due to chronic blepharitis.
2. Too much eye make up and sharing of make up products.
3. Stress.

Pilonidal cysts develop on the cleft of the hips. They are the result of prolonged sitting. Their causes include:

1. An ingrown hair results in a boil. An ingrown hair grows back into the skin and causes inflammation.
2. Boils on the buttocks may get formed due to some foreign object like and infected piece of wood or splinter which manages to enter the skin.
3. The sweat glands may get blocked by dirt.
4. A minor cut or scrape on the hip skin may lead to a boil infection.

Under arms boils are caused by :

1. Folliculitis.
2. Excessive sweating.

Scalp boils are caused by:

1. Excessive sweating leads to the clogging of the hair follicles with a residue like salt.
2. If the hair is combed vigorously, it may lead to development of tiny creases on the scalp’s skin, which may help the bacteria to intrude into the skin and cause boils.

Acne boils cause is:

The sebum is produced in excess during the teenage years due to increase in the hormonal activity. The extra sebum often clogs the pores of the skin and causes acne boils.

Besides these, the main reasons for the recurrence of boils include:

1. Skin which is affected by ailments such as eczema.
2. Obesity imbalances the metabolism as results in recurrence of boils.
3. Weak immune system makes the body ineffective in combating the menace of boils, resulting in their recurrence.
4. Hereditary reasons.

Boils are caused on the skin by a kind of a staph infection. Boils are divided into different categories such as furuncles, carbuncles, folliculitis, cystic acne, pilonidal cysts etc on the basis of their nature and location.

It is only in cases of carbuncles and some large or complicated boils that surgical removal becomes indispensable. Carbuncles are a group of interconnected furuncles with several drainage points. These boils can be handled the best by a medical practitioner.

In most cases, the boils wither away after some time. Some are mild enough to be treated at home in a natural way.

The natural cure for boils has several benefits. They are devoid of any side effects as none of the strong medications are involved. These methods are easy to be followed and are cost effective too. The natural cure for boils includes several methods of redressing the problem of boils and their recurrence. They are as follows:

• Garlic should be included in one’s diet as it an antiseptic. It helps in detoxification of the body. Thus it helps in curing boils as the toxins in the body also cause boils.

• Drinking a lot of water and including fiber in one’s diet helps one in keeping the bowels clean. This is essential in the treatment of boils because the problem of constipation worsens the skin problems. More waste products have to be removed from the system via the skin which creates problems.

• The role of the body’s immune system comes into play when the boils crop up. The white blood cells fight away the bacteria causing infection. However, if the immunity itself is weak, then the infection gets severe. Hence, a balanced diet including green leafy vegetables and fruits should be preferred. Moreover, refined foods, sugar, foods with added colors, preservatives etc must be avoided. It is prudent to have food in its natural form without any additives as they contain harsh chemicals

• Detoxification or cleansing if the body is essential as toxins in the system may cause boils. A herbal tea made by mixing goldenseal, Echinacea and burdock root should be consumed a few times a day as a natural cure for boils.

• Tea tree oil, which is used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, is an effective antibacterial agent. This oil is applied over the boil for a quick recovery. It acts as a natural antiseptic.

• Turmeric is well known for its therapeutic properties. It has an anti inflammatory effect on the skin and is a blood purifier. It can be taken internally or applied topically. One teaspoon of turmeric is mixed with a cup of warm water and consumed a few times daily for good results. As an alternative, it can be also taken in the form of a capsule of 450 mg. If one prefers to apply it, a paste should be made by mixing it with some water. One should be a little careful while applying it as turmeric stains are stubborn and do not go away easily.

• Castor oil is another powerful healing agent for curing boils. A little castor oil should be put on some cotton and tied over the wound with gauze. It can heal the boil in a matter of two days.

• Extra vitamins and minerals should be included in the diet during the treatment of boils to accelerate the healing process.

• Slices of tomatoes are gently warmed and placed over the boil. The outer leaf of a cabbage can also be warmed and used to cover the boil. The heat applied to the boils in such a way helps in drawing out the pus quickly.

• The betel leaf is gently warmed and is used to cover the boil after a little castor oil has been rubbed on its surface.

• A poultice is made by dipping a piece of bread in hot milk. When the bread reaches a tolerable temperature, it should be used to cover the boil directly.

• Heat treatment is effective in improving the blood circulation. This brings more white blood cells to the infected area. Cloth soaked in hot water is placed on the infected area several times in a day. Once the cloth gets cool, it should be replaced by a hot cloth.

When hair is cut very close to the skin, it turns back and grows into the follicle instead of growing out from the follicle. This is called an ingrown hair.

The mass of these ingrown hairs clubs together beneath the skin. These ingrown hairs, like all the other foreign substances within the body sans blood supply, develop an infection.

The follicle gets stuffed with the ingrown hair and consequently causes a red bump on the skin. After some time this bump turns into a pustule. This pustule develops into ingrown hair boils.

Ingrown hair bumps are usually caused in the skin of those people who have thick and wavy hair.

If the ingrown hair is detected earlier, it can be disentangled easily. Once this happens the hair grows normally once again. However, if it is detected late, then it forms a twisted mass of hairs and is surrounded by a cyst. In this case, the ingrown hair should be removed surgically.

There are some natural and easy treatments for ingrown hair boils:

# The ingrown hair can be either freed or removed. This helps in preventing the chances of developing boils. In order to free it on its own, one can let it grow for some time. In the meantime it should be moisturized and exfoliated so that the dead skin which clogs the hair follicle is removed. This dead skin acts as a barrier which stops the hair from growing naturally. In case a pustule develops, it can be gently drained. This may free the ingrown hair. Besides this, one can also pull out the twisted ingrown hair with a sterilized needle or scissors. The infected area should be numbed with an ice cube and once the hair has been extracted, the region should covered by a hot compress for relief.

# One can also remove the hair altogether but with little guarantee that it may not grow back again in a twisted and complicated way. Laser hair removal is also used to prevent ingrown hair boils problem.

# Towels dipped in hot water are placed on these boils. This heat treatment reduces the swelling around the boils.

# Ichthammol ointment is an effective remedy for drawing out the infection. It looks disgusting but should be applied in a small amount due to its healing qualities.

# Epsom salt is used to dry and disinfect the boils. After the boil withers away, tea tree oil should be applied to it with cotton for disinfecting it.

# When the boils are ready to suppurate, they become white due to the presence of pus. Such mature boils can be drained at home and hydrogen peroxide should be applied on them.

One can avoid ingrown hair boils by using certain preventive measures such as:

# Moisturize the skin often. This helps in softening of the hairs which may not grow into the skin instead of growing out from it.

# Exfoliation is quite necessary as it helps in clearing away the dead skin which often blocks the skin’s surface and disrupts the growth of the hair.

# Men should avoid shaving the hair too close to the skin. Most people prefer to have a close shave. However this triggers ingrown hairs because the tip of the hair goes below the skin and can cause complications. A shave should be ended with a cold water splash to close the open pores. Moisture laden after shave creams should be used to make the hair soft. Product having alcohol should be avoided as they dry up the skin.

A blind boil is one which does not suppurate perfectly or which fails to form a head. It refers to a sluggish boil which shows no signs of maturing and draining. It is a small bump on the skin which is red in color and does not contain pus. It is commonly known as a pimple.

Pimples are formed on the skin when the sebaceous glands become over active and produce more sebum than the skin can handle. The excessive sebum clogs the pores of the skin and gets mixed with dirt. These blocked pores become a breeding ground for the bacteria, which leads to a bacterial infection in the skin. The body tries to get into a defense mode and sends white blood cells to the infected region to kill the bacteria.

This results in the formation of white pus which consists of white blood cells, bacteria and dead tissues. Gradually a head or a pustule is formed on the boil, through which the pus gets drained. However in the case of a blind boil or a pimple, the infection is deep seated. So it does not form a head or opening through which the pus may get discharged.

In such a case, applying salicylic acid is advisable. It is an active component of lotions and creams used to cure pimples and keep the skin clean. Salicylic acid is easily available It is instrumental in the free movement of the sebum to the skin’s surface.

As prevention is better than cure, so it would be advisable to follow steps to prevent development of pimples.

Some diseases bring about hormonal changes which lead to the outbreak of pimples/ acnes. These underlying ailments should not be left untreated to curb the menace of blind pimples/ acne.

A healthy diet helps in curbing boils. Junk food has a detrimental effect on the skin, which shows up in the form of blind pimples, boils etc.

Some medicines can trigger pimples. So in case one notes that pimples start appearing after taking a certain medicine, one should consult the doctor immediately.

Meddling with the pimples in ways such as squeezing them or pinching them can make the problem complicated.

Certain harsh soaps, oil based make up products and hair sprays affect the skin.

Stress also triggers pimples, so it would be wise to try to eliminate the stress causing factors.

The best blind boils treatment is as follows:

1. Efforts are made to convert the blind boil into a pustule. For this, heat treatment is applied, as in done with the usual boils with a head. Cotton balls are dipped in hot water and placed over the blind boil. This method, if repeated several times, helps in formation of a head or in curing the blind boil. One has to be a little patient with the blind boils treatment, as some time is required before results can be seen.
2. Honey is widely used as an effective blind boils treatment due to its anti- bacterial properties.
3. Fuller’s earth is also an effective cure for a flawless skin.
4. A paste made out of orange peel when applied to pimples, helps in getting rid of them.
5. Ripe tomato paste is applied to cure pimples also.
6. Fresh garlic when rubbed on to the affected skin helps in reducing pimples and does not leave any scars too.

It has been found that the natural blind boils treatment is much better than taking medications. They do not have any side effects and do not dry the skin too. They also help in speedy recovery as compare with medicines.

A boil infection is also called staph infection because it is caused by the bacteria called Staphylococcus aurous. These bacteria are mostly found in the nasal passages of people. If they are found on the skin, they cannot cause any harm. However, if a rash or cut causes broken skin, then these bacteria get a chance to slip in. They get deposited in the hair follicle and start multiplying there. They start an infection which may lead to the formation of boils on the skin.

Since this infection is contagious, it spreads easily.

In kids, this infection spreads through dirty nails, hands etc. Hence, it is important to keep ones hands clean. Moreover, the parts on the skin which has rashes, cuts, abrasions etc should be cleaned thoroughly and covered.

Boil infection has different medical names depending on its nature and degree.

Folliculitis refers to the infection in the hair follicle. Shaving, over scratching etc may cause folliculitis. Although folliculitis is not a boil infection, yet it is also an infection of the hair follicle like skin boils. This infection forms pus filled pimple, which are external in nature as compared to boils. In certain cases, this infection can gradually develop into a boil.

A furuncle is a skin abscess which affects a hair follicle and the nearby tissue. They are commonly found on the neck, face and hips.

They appear as a pustule which discharges necrotic tissue and pus.

Another type of boil infection is the carbuncle which is a conglomeration of furuncles. These staph infections develop pus filled pockets under the skin. Carbuncles are common amongst aged people and look like a collection of interlinked boils.

A sty is a boil which results from an infection which forms in the hair of the eye lashes. It creates a blockage in the hair follicle making it swollen and quite painful to touch.

Pilonidal cyst is also a boil infection which occurs on the cleft of the hips. It results due to long journeys where people have to sit for long hours. It can be quite painful and has to be lanced out by a minor surgery.

Cystic acne is a severe type of acne which are quite complex and are accompanied by chills and fever. It is advisable to have a bacterial culture done so that the physician can prescribe an apt antibiotic for cure.

Pimples are skin inflammations which are caused by clogged skin pores. If they become recurrent, they are referred to as acne.

Hydradenitis suppurativa is a boil which develops skin inflammation below the skin called cellulite. They occur due to heat, stress and sweat. They result in boils in the armpit region.

Boil infection can be caused by a number of factors.

• A weak immune system triggers boils.
• Diabetics are prone to developing boils.
• Devitalized health condition due to the absence of a balanced diet also leads to boils.
• An ingrown hair causes boils because the hair curls and penetrates into the skin. If its tip carries bacteria, then it would lead to a boil infection.
• If foreign objects like a dust particle, a minute wood piece or splinter enter the skin, they cause a strain. This leads to a boil.
• Some pills cause boils as a side effect.
• Allergies to certain food substances lead to boils.
• Boil infection is also caused by the blocking of the skin pores with creams; make up etc, thereby preventing the skin to breathe freely.

Boil is a common skin problem which affects people at some stage or the other.

They are caused mostly by the staph bacteria named Staphylococcus aurous. In certain cases boils occur due to some disease such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS etc. Alcoholism, weak immune system and chemotherapy also make people susceptible to boil infections.
Although boils can occur in any part of the body but they seem to appear mostly in parts which are hairy and have lots of friction of the skin due to movement of the body parts such as under arms, hips, face, neck etc.

Boils are called by different medical names depending on their nature of formation. Furuncles, carbuncles, pilonidal cysts, cystic acne, pimples, Hidradenitis suppurativa, eye sty or eye boil are the different types of boils which may form on the skin.

The sooner the treatment begins, the fewer are the chances of complications and more the precautions taken, lesser are the chances of a recurrence.

The boil infection treatment may be divided into 3 broad categories:

• Medical treatment
• Home based treatment
• Herbal treatment

In most of the cases, the boils wither away naturally. They originate, develop and then get drained or cured. However sometimes, they need immediate medical attention.

This is in the following cases:

• Red streaks emanate around the boil
• A prominent red line is visible on the boil
• They persist for more than a couple of weeks in spite of all the necessary steps.
• They are very large and need to be surgically drained.

If the boil has to be drained surgically, the doctor applies local anesthesia to the infected area. A cut or incision is made with a scalpel on the skin which opens up the boil. The pus which trickles out is cleaned, taking care that the infection does not spread to the nearby region. A bacteria culture is done to determine which antibiotic would be prescribed in any particular case.

Boils can be treated at home also provided they are not treated harshly. Any attempt made to burst open the boil to get rid of it may, as a matter of fact, worsen it. Formation of pits on the skins and permanent marks are some of the aftermaths of trying to meddle with the boils. This immature handling also makes the skin texture rough.

Home based boil infection treatment includes:

• Lavender oil should be smeared over the boil area
• A piece of bread dipped in boiling water and applied over the boil when it becomes bearable helps in the bursting of the boil.
• If acne boils occur on one’s back, Colloidal silver is widely used as a natural antibiotic.
• Garlic capsules kill the bacteria present in the boils and boost the immunity.
• Take a diet rich in zinc because zinc is anti-bacterial.
• Increase the intake of leafy green vegetables which should be steamed and consumed. They help in providing the requisite minerals and vitamin to aid the healing of boils.
• Refined sugar and fried food should be avoided because they slacken the healing process.
• Heat treatment with cloth soaked in warm water is applied for a quick recovery.

Herbal boil infection treatment includes:

• Echinea and goldenseal are popular as antibacterial agents and for strengthening the immune system of the body.
• Tea tree oil is used for severe acne boils. It is a natural antibiotic cure and reduces the itchiness around the boil. It kills a wide range of micro organisms. It is at par with benzol peroxide in effectiveness but has an added benefit of no side effects.
• Dandelion is used to help the liver detoxify the blood.

Boils can be prevented by following a healthy diet regime and skin care. Certain precautionary measures can prevent their recurrence and thereby, a lot of pain too.