Boils occur due to a skin problem, which begins in an oil gland or in the hair follicles. The skin becomes red near the infected area and a tender lump forms. After a period of 4 to 7 days the lump turns white as pus collects beneath the skin.
Causes of Boils
The primary causes of boils are:
- Deep bacteria infection of the hair follicles.
- Diabetes.
- Immune system problems.
- Poor hygiene.
- Exposure to chemicals, which irritate the skin.
Symptoms for Boils
- Pus formation in the center of boil.
- Bloody and whitish discharge from the boil.
- Fever
- Fatigue
- The skin near the boil tends to become red, swollen and painful.
- Fever
- More boils appear around the original one.
- Lymph nodes get swollen.
Home Remedies for Boils
Top ways to treat boils at home are:
- Onion and Garlic – Onion or garlic juice can be applied externally on the boils to ripen them, so that they break and the pus is removed from them. One can mix the juices of both these vegetables equally and apply them on the boil.
- Milk Cream – Take a teaspoonful of milk cream and vinegar and add a pinch of turmeric powder and apply the mix on the boil. The boils will get ripened up and the pus will flow out without the boil becoming septic.
- Bitter Gourd – Take 1 cup of fresh juice of bitter gourd and mix it with a teaspoonful of lime juice. Sip it slowly on an empty stomach every day for a few days.
- Betel Leaves – Warm up a betel leaf till it is soft. Apply a coat of castor oil on the leaf. Place the leaf on the part that is inflamed. Replace it every few hours. After its application, the boil breaks up and the pus comes out.
- Cumin seeds – Grind cumin seeds into a paste in water. Then apply it on the boil.
- Margosa Leaves – Make a decoction by boiling margosa leaves ( 15 gms)in 500 ml water till its one-third reduction. It can also be in poultice or liniment form. It has proved very effective in treating boils.
- Turmeric – Roast few turmeric dry roots, dissolve the ashes in a cup full of water and then apply it on the boil. The boil ripens and bursts.
- Parsley – Parsley needs to be steeped in boiled water till it is juicy and soft. When it is hot at a comfortable level, wrap it in a clean muslin cloth and make a poultice of it and apply it on the boil.
- Margosa – Grind the bark of margosa in water and apply it as paste.
- Castor tree bark– Grind castor tree bark and apply it on the boil.
- Clear bowels – The bowels must be clear.
- Avoid sour foods.
- Garlic Cloves -Mash about 2 to 3 garlic cloves into paste and apply it on the affected area.
- Turmeric paste – Make a paste of equal quantity of grounded ginger and turmeric. And apply it on the boil when it is still warm.
- Sacred Fig Tree Leaf – Take a Sacred Fig tree leaf and apply ghee on it and use it as lukewarm bandage on the boil. It will break up at the initial stage and will not grow any further.
- Melons – By eating melons one keeps the bowels clear and it also cleanses the blood.
- Fasting on orange juice-cum-water – One has to cleanse the system thoroughly by fasting on orange juice combined with water ( about 50:50) for about three to four days. One can also fast on fresh juices for 5 to 7 days.
- Well-balanced diet – One must take whole grains, leafy green vegetables, protein, fruits, minimal quantity of fats, less of carbohydrates (like rice and white bread) and sugary products.
- One should avoid coffee, tea and other beverages as well as pastries, pickles and sauces.
- Warm compresses can be applied on the boil to facilitate easy draining of the pus.
- Hot Epsom salt bath also helps in treating boils and one can use it twice or maybe thrice till the boil remains.
- Breathing and outdoor exercises. – Fresh air tones up the system.
One can take care of boils by using effective home remedies. A healthy diet, adequate exercise and fresh air also helps in the treatment of boils.
