The boils occur in the skin as a result of bacterial infections. Understanding the cause of the boils helps in their cure. In this article an attempt is made to decode the boil syndrome.
Boils refer to a restricted infection of the hair follicles caused by bacteria. They usually occur in areas which are covered by rough hair. In the initial stage, the boil is a small and tender lump which later on grows bigger in size and hardens.
Eventually these boils get filled with white blood cells. These cells are sent to that region by the body to fight infection.
The boils, also referred to as skin abscess, may be formed due to ingrown hair, foreign objects lodged in the skin, whereas the boils as in the case of acne result from clogged sweat pores which cause infection.
Most of the simple boils can be treated at home. However a medical examination is necessary in the following cases:
1. If a boil is linked with some kind of a fever.
2. The reddening of the skin near the boil or development of red streaks.
3. If the pus in the boil does not develop a head.
4. A particular boil that develops in between he buttocks.
5. If a number of boils develop one after another.
The boils treatment differs according to the gravity of the problem. The medical treatment includes:
1. If the boil grows in size but does not develop ahead, then the doctor may treat it by applying heat with hot packs. The heat therapy improves the blood circulation in that particular region. The white blood cells and anti bodies entering that spot help in fighting off the infection.
2. Though the smaller boils can get drained by themselves with the heat soaks, but the bigger ones have several pockets filled with pus. Hence they need to be lanced by a medical practitioner. Before lancing or draining, the doctor makes the area surrounding the boil numb. This is followed by an incision on the boil’s head and is drained out.
3. If a number of boils appear on the skin, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
4. In some cases a fever may follow the occurrence of boils. The doctor may prescribe separate pills for the fever to subside.
5. Surgery is the last resort to treat boils if they are not responding to medicines.
Some of the home made remedies for boils treatment are as follows:
1. Neem is an effective cure for boils due to its anti bacterial properties. The bark of the neem tree has to be grinded and the paste is applied on the infected region.
2. The bark of the castor tree needs to be grind and applied on boils as it has healing properties.
3. A paste of ginger and garlic in equal amounts also helps in curing boils.
4. Peepal leaf is used to burst the boil and hinder its further growth by smearing a leaf with clarified butter and covering it around the boil with a lukewarm bandage.
The diet therapy for boils treatment includes:
1. One should avoid the consumption of white bread, sugar, fats and sour food.
2. Zinc should be included in one’s diet as it helps the skin’s healing process.
3. The intake of water and fibers should be increased in the diet.
The herbal boils treatment includes:
1. Oregano extracts have anti bacterial properties. Hence they are used in curing boils.
2. Echinacea and golden seal are used in treating boils because of their anti viral and anti bacterial properties, respectively.
3. Ginger may help in the formation of the boil’s head.
The use of anti bacterial soaps and maintenance of good hygiene may help in preventing boils.


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