Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do I get rid of a boil?
By Lynn G
Never gamble with your health, go to the doctor!
Ouch, those things suck. if it's really bad, you do need to go to the doctor. but you can try putting a very hot wet washcloth on top of it to bring it to head, to help it start exfoliating. Then I suppose try squeezing it out as gross as that sounds. But if it's a boil, it needs to be released.
I had one recently, right near my eye, so I was pretty worried about it! Online, I saw a lot of suggestions to put a warm compress on it (NOT hot, as that can burn your skin and make things worse). I tried it, and the next day it had gotten considerably smaller, and far less painful. I kept using compresses, and didn't even have to see the doctor.
Try using warm compresses a few times a day, then if that doesn't work, you need medical attention.
I had a boil on my thigh that got infected. I went to the ER at a local hospital. They lance the biol and put in a wick to drain the boil. A very easy procedure and only took a few minutes. Get some medical attention before it can get worse.
If you don't have good insurance, like me and can't afford to go to the doctor like everyone tells you to, look on earthclinic.com 1st. I used tea tree oil or turmeric made into a paste on the boil. You can also take the turmeric it helps to cleanse the blood and is a great pain reliever.
Easy, cheap, works....crumble up the soft inside of about 1/2 slice of bread, cover with just enough milk to make a paste, heat on stove til hot, take off stove and cool just enough that you can stand it. Put on a bandage and tape over the boil overnight. It will pull the core out. If it doesnt, do again the next night.
Put a washcloth soaked in hot water, as hot as you can stand it, and continue until the boil has opened up and drained. Then clean it with rubbing alcohol.
A boil is a staph infection. If you cannot afford to go to a doctor, try googling some sites that have medical/first aid advice. Some provinces in Canada have phone in lines where you can talk to a nurse who can give advice on minor matters such as this, and advise you if it is necessary to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Hello,
Please see a Dr. A boil can lead to a staph infection and it must be treated with antibiotics.
I've never had a boil so I'm not saying whether or not to go to the doctor.
That being said I have a lot more faith in home remedies for a lot of things that I do in most prescription drugs. I retired from the medical field after working in a hospital pharmacy and boy was that a lesson.
Please, please, please go to a doctor and have them put you on antibiotics!
I had a boil earlier this year (twice in the same spot) & I'm not going to lie, the antibiotic is expensive ($75 for 10 days) but, it did work. Do not cover it - in my case, it just seemed to make the inflammation even worse.
But under no circumstances do NOT drain it/lance it/touch it! I have an ugly purplish/blue scar (I'm very fair skinned) on my upper thigh from when it drained because I "forced" it to drain too early by taking a warm Epsom salt bath.
And make sure you do NOT share anything that has touched the boil! Wash your towels and linens in HOT water to kill the staph.
What's the best remedy to get rid of boils that won't open up? I've tried everything. Does anyone have any other options for this type of question and that would be helpful where it will go away!
Use table salt it will leave a scar but it pulls out the infection. Put quite a bit of salt in your hand as a drop or two of water put on boil cover with big bandaid...your welcome....
I had to have one surgically removed in 2011 after trying home remedies. It would have been better if I had just gone to the doctor first and not made it worse by messing with it. I speak from painful expedience. Go to your PCP or urgi care (PCP usually costs less) and have them do it right ASAP!!!!
Home remedies (or worse--trying to open it yourself) can cause infections and make it worse.
This looks very sore and painful so if you already have an infection you really need to see a doctor. Please!! Safety first!
Post back what the doc says!! Prayers for healing!!!
I would only use warm compresses to get them to drain. If that doesnt work, seek medical attention.
Hi,
Have you tried tumeric? I would get tumeric capsules and start taking those. Here is a video that has information on how tumeric helps boils:
www.youtube.com/
Blessings,
Robyn
What do you do once the core of the boil comes away? Do you keep it covered and keep using the drawing ointment or leave it uncovered?
It's been 2 weeks of pain and I'm still on antibiotics.The core is usually removed by the doctor in a sterile environment. I would put ointment on the wound and cover it. I think two weeks in pain, even when on an antibiotic, would warrant a call.
Oh my. That looks very sore. Who prescribed the antibiotics? You need to get back there ASAP! These things can get infected and you can get septic very quickly. Please do not mess around with this.
Post back so we know you are OK. Prayers for healing!!
this may be one of those situations where the boil created what is known as a 'cyst wall' which is a placenta-like enclosure that easily fills up with gross crap because it is liable to become infected again. Surgical removal is at times the best option because as long as that membrane remains in there it will fill up again even if you do overcome it this time
If you are not better, you need to be checked for MRSA or Staph infection. Both can be very bad if not treated with the right antibiotics.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
The perfect boil home remedy. Boils are very painful. They swell, get red and very hard.
I have a very painful boil in my armpit. It has been about 4 days since I have had it. I bought some draw out salve and boil ease. Which should I use?