Boils Symptoms 

Boils are an infection of the skin caused most commonly by Staphylococcus. The hair follicles of the skin get infected. Boils are localized, inflamed, tender, pus-filled swellings in the skin surrounded by large red areas. Boils can either be an acute or a chronic skin ailment, depending on how long they last for. In an acute case, the boils are generally the result of a localized infection and can be treated with simple topical applications. Chronic boils on the other hand, last for much longer and are caused by severe infection and persistent infections.

This type of an infection also requires stronger medication and may take a while to heal. It is important to treat an infection at the very onset of the symptoms to help reduce the recovery period and prevent scarring. Topical applications can be used in both types of infections as to help reduce the swelling and discomfort and promote healing. Boils are sometimes only symptoms of a more serious underlying health condition and so it is important to go for a complete physical examination if you suffer from boils on a regular basis.

Sometimes, pimples and acne can be mistaken for boils and so it is important to determine the root cause and the exact nature of the skin condition before choosing a treatment method. Some types of boils are not contagious while others are extremely contagious and can even spread through the shared usage of personal items with an infected individual.

It is better to avoid sharing personal items as a general rue to prevent skin problems. If you suffer from persistent outbreaks of boils, it would be advisable to talk to your doctor about what causes boils on the body or in specific areas such as on the inner thigh, the under arms, or on the buttocks, as this will help to prevent a recurrence of this problem.

Symptoms of Skin Boils

Painful Red Nodule Appears on the Skin

At the outset, a painful red nodule appears on the skin. The nodule grows bigger and then breaks down in the middle where pus collects. The boils patient experiences a lot of irritation and itching. The boil may appear as a single skin boil, or many boils in the same area or in different areas at or about the same time, or boils may come in successive crops.

The swelling may either be limited to one hair follicle or extend to several follicles. When skin boils ripen, they give out a discharge. Fever may sometimes arise in a person with boils. Very often boils may appear to have a white spot at the center of the boil which is known as the “head”. The head of the boil is white in color as it is filled with pus which is nothing but the accumulation of the microbe causing the infection as well the white blood cells that converge on the area as part of the body’s immune system response to the infection.

While there are some specialists who believe that it is fine to use a sterilized needle to break open the boil so that it can be drained there are many who believe that this can actually aggravate the problem. Most specialists however agree that one of the most effective and least invasive methods to treat a boil is to apply a warm moist compress to the boil for a prolonged period.

The heat and moisture helps to increase the blood flow to the area which causes more pus to accumulate and the additional pressure results in the head popping. You may have to leave the warm compress on for a couple of hours before it pops but this would depend on how much pus is already present in the head of the boil.

A severe boil infection will typically include symptoms such as the rapid spreading of the affected areas as well as a mild fever and pictures and images of various types of boil infections may help you narrow down and even pinpoint the probable cause of your infection.

Treatment for boils on buttocks, on the inner thighs, under the armpits, and on the labia will require immediate care as these areas are very sensitive and ignoring the problem can result in a lot of pain and discomfort. Boils on the buttocks is a very common problem in children and there are several methods of naturally treating boils at home through the use of home remedies.

Causes of Boils

Staphylococcus Germs

Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs. These enter sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of boils is thus bacterial. However, there are several factors which predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles. People who suffer from diabetes, certain blood disorders, or obesity have a higher risk of suffering from this troublesome skin condition.

Those who are anemic or have been on antibiotic medication for a prolonged period may also suffer from this problem. A small tear in the skin will increase the probability of suffering from boils in that area, especially if you do not wash the area immediately. Cleansing a scratch with running water and an antimicrobial soap will help to prevent boils. The bacteria that cause boils can be found on the surface of your skin and a boil forms only once the bacteria enter the sweat glands.

In order to keep your skin free of boils and the resultant blemishes and scars, it is best to bathe regularly with a soap that is suited o your skin type. You should also use a moisturizer after your bath to protect your skin from infectious microbes. You can add a few drops of Margosa oil to your moisturizing lotion just before you apply it to your skin as this oil contains anti-microbial agents that will help to prevent boils and other minor skin problems.

If you have large and painful boils on your face, on your legs, or on your buttocks, you will have to get a definite diagnosis before you start any treatment to ensure fast and lasting results. There are several home remedies for boils under the armpits, on the buttocks, on the inner thigh area, and on the groin that you can use to treat as well as prevent boils.

Toxic Condition in Blood Stream

The chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream. This arises due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down devitalised condition. You can use more than one natural Skin boils treatment as this will help to decrease the recovery period. In addition to using natural cures for boils, you will also have to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle schedule in order to get rid of this problem.

In many cases, stress and anxiety can increase the severity of the problem in the same manner as a faulty and unbalanced diet. If you are unsure as to whether you are suffering from boils or carbuncles, you can research boils and carbuncles pictures, images, and treatment videos on the internet to help differentiate between these skin ailments as well as learn more about the various types of treatment options.

Home Remedies for Boils and Skin Boils

Boils treatment using Garlic and Onion

Garlic and Onions have been proved to be among the most effective home remedy for boils treatment among several other remedies. Onion juice or garlic juice may be applied on boils externally to ripen them, break and evacuate the pus. Juices of both these vegetables can be mixed in equal quantities and applied on the boil for beneficial results.

Boils treatment using Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd is also an effective home remedy for blood filled boils. To treat boils, a cupful of fresh bitter gourd juice can be mixed with 1 teaspoon of lime juice, sipped on slowly on an empty stomach everyday for a few days.

Boils treatment using Milk Cream

Milk cream remedy is useful in the treatment of boils. An excellent poultice for boils cure is, to apply a mixture of a teaspoon each of milk cream and vinegar with a pinch of turmeric powder. This helps to ripen the blood boils and heal them without letting them become septic.

Boils treatment using Betel Leaves

Betel Leaves treatment for boils is a valuable home remedy. A betel leaf is gently warmed till it softens. Coat it with a layer of castor oil. Spread the oiled leaf over the inflamed part. Replace this every few hours. After applying a few times, boil ruptures and drains out all the purulent matter.

Boils treatment using Cumin Seeds

Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. Cumin seeds are ground to a paste in water. This cumin seed paste is applied to boils for beneficial results.

Boils treatment using Margosa Leaves

Margosa leaves have proven effective in treating boils. They can be either used as a poultice, liniment or decoction with positive results. To make the decoction, boil 15 gm of margosa leaves in 500 ml water till it is reduced by one-third.

Boils treatment using Parsley

For boils treatment, steep parsley in boiled water till it becomes soft and juicy. When it is comfortably hot, wrap it in a clean muslin or linen cloth and apply it on the boils as a poultice.

Boils treatment using Turmeric

Applying turmeric powder on boils speeds healing process. In case of fresh boils, roast a few dry roots of turmeric, dissolve the ashes in a cupful of water and then apply over the affected areas. This solution aids boils to ripen and burst.

Diet For Patients With Skin Boils

Fast on Orange Juice with Water

Cleanse your system thoroughly for treatment of boils. Begin the fast with orange juice diluted in water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or go exclusively on fresh juicy fruits from five to seven days.

Well-Balanced Diet

After the short juice fast or the all-fruit diet, as the case may be, a good nutritious diet should be consumed. This can help the immune system fight the infection. Maintain an overall healthy diet. This includes using fresh and unprocessed foods as close to the natural state as possible. Eat whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fruit, proteins, with a minimum of animal fat as per the daily servings. Restrict intake of sugary and refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and white rice) to a minimum.

Avoid Tea/Coffee, Cakes, Pastries, Condiments and Sauces

Avoid tea, coffee, sugary starchy foods, especially chocolates, pastries, sweets, cakes, white sugar and white bread. Avoid all condiments, sauces and pickles.

Other Boils treatments

Warm-Water Enema

A warm water enema given daily helps to cleanse the bowels. This should be done during the initial juice fast or all fruit diet.

Warm Moist Compresses would be Applied

Apply warm moist compresses three to four times a day over tender areas. This helps to bring the boil to a head and promotes easy drainage.

Hot Epsom Salts Bath

A hot Epsom salt bath greatly benefits in boil treatment and should be used twice or thrice a week until boils persist and once in a week thereafter.

Dry Massage followed by Cold Sponge

A daily dry massage every morning followed by a cold water sponge is another helpful measure in the treatment of boils.

Breathing and Outdoor Exercises

Fresh air, outdoor exercises and breathing exercises are essential for toning up the system.

Avoid Constipation

If constipation occurs habitually, take all measures to overcome it. Chronic constipation can have a negative effect on your overall health and can also cause sallow unhealthy skin that is susceptible to boils. Increase your intake of fiber and fluids to help deal with this problem.